Savoring the Scene: Why Whitefish Food & Wine Festival Is the Must-Attend Event of Fall 2025
Written by Malana VanTyler
Tucked in the heart of Montana’s Flathead Valley, Whitefish has long been known for its sweeping alpine views, access to Glacier National Park, and unpretentious charm. But in recent years, it has also quietly emerged as one of the West’s most intriguing culinary outposts. That reputation is about to grow even stronger as the Whitefish Food & Wine Festival returns for its highly anticipated second year from September 8–14, 2025.
Launched in 2024, the festival was co-founded by 4x James Beard Award-winning Chef Todd English, Whitefish entrepreneur and investor Joe Hess, and global event producer Ryan Heil. Together, the trio created something rare: a weeklong culinary and wine festival that blends elite talent and sophisticated experiences with a deep appreciation for place, people, and purpose.
What sets Whitefish Food & Wine apart from other festivals? First and foremost, the setting. The event is staged primarily at Haskill Creek Farms, an idyllic venue surrounded by open pastures, wooded trails, and wide Montana skies. From the moment attendees arrive, it’s clear this is not just another food and wine event. There’s a sense of space, freedom, and connection—to the land, to the ingredients, and to the people crafting every pour and plate.
Over the course of the week, guests can explore a wide range of programming designed to engage all the senses. At the heart of the festival is the Grand Tasting experience, where over 100 wines, beers, and craft spirits are offered alongside food from top local restaurants and guest chefs. The Grand Tasting Live Stage provides an extra layer of excitement, with live cooking demonstrations, interactive classes, and real-time culinary competitions drawing enthusiastic crowds.
Yet some of the most talked-about moments happen well beyond the tasting tent. One of the festival’s biggest draws in 2025 is its “nature-forward” programming, which invites attendees to experience food and wine in some of the valley’s most scenic settings. This includes the popular “Sip & SUP” event, which combines paddleboarding on pristine mountain lakes with post-adventure wine tastings; curated hikes that end with rustic picnics of cheese, charcuterie, and sparkling wine; and a “Farm to Foraged to Table” dinner under the stars, where every element is harvested or prepared locally.
For those seeking more intimate experiences, the festival offers ticketed wine pairing dinners hosted at premier restaurants around Whitefish. These dinners bring together visiting celebrity chefs with beloved local talent for one-night-only collaborations that spotlight seasonal ingredients and regional culinary traditions. Whether it's slow-roasted elk paired with a bold cabernet or wild huckleberries served with a delicate dessert wine, every menu tells a story rooted in Montana.
But Whitefish Food & Wine isn’t just about indulgence—it’s about impact. In 2024, proceeds supported local charities focused on food access and education. This year, organizers will announce two new nonprofit beneficiaries, with specific events during festival week designed to drive support and awareness for these causes.
“The community has embraced this festival in a way that’s been incredibly rewarding,” says co-founder Joe Hess. “We’re not just bringing people here to eat and drink—we’re creating lasting connections between visitors and Whitefish itself.”
That sense of connection has become one of the defining characteristics of the festival. There are no velvet ropes or VIP-only zones separating talent from attendees. Instead, you might find yourself sipping rosé with a chef after their demo, chatting with a winemaker under a canopy of pine trees, or dancing to live music as the sun sets over the mountains.
With tickets now on sale and accommodations filling quickly, Whitefish Food & Wine is fast becoming a bucket-list event for culinary travelers, nature lovers, and anyone looking to experience something truly original. Whether you're a seasoned festivalgoer or discovering Whitefish for the first time, one thing is certain: this is a place—and a week—you won’t forget.
