Charlotte On The Cheap

Live well in the Queen City on a budget

Wine + Food Festival at Ballantyne’s Backyard: Winners announced (and a discount for everyone!)

POSTED BY
Jody Mace

Wine + Food Festival is coming to Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Road, Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 1 to 6 p.m. There’s an additional hour, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., for VIP ticket holders.

UPDATE: The contest has ended and the winners have been emailed! Vanessa is the winner of the VIP tickets. Taneisha, Lisa W., William C., Trena, and Rich R. have won the general admission tickets. If your name is one of the above, please check your inbox and spam folder. If you have one of those names but you didn’t receive an email, please let me know and I’ll check to see if you’re the right person!

Also, keep reading for information on a discount!

4 people enjoying glasses of wine outdoors
Photo courtesy of Drink Eat Relax Events

Come out and enjoy the afternoon in a beautiful and relaxing setting – Ballantyne’s Backyard – and see what over 100,000 guests in Charlotte have enjoyed over the years. This year the event will bring together some of Charlotte’s hottest chefs.

Enjoy chef demos in the Tasting Theater where they will prepare some of their favorite signature dishes.

2 people enjoy wine outdoors
Photo courtesy of Drink Eat Relax Events

Taste hundreds of local, national and international wines, along with beers and spirits in an All-You-Care-To-Taste platform. The fine wines are served in a fun environment.

There will be great food available to purchase from some of Charlotte’s pop-ups and food trucks. Also, enjoy great live music on the main stage that will keep you dancing throughout the day.

2 women enjoying wine outdoors
Photo courtesy of Drink Eat Relax Events

Featured Chefs

  • Chef Mike Bobb, Executive Chef at The Ballantyne, a Luxury Collection Hotel
  • Chef Jennifer Brulé, classically trained chef and nationally published food writer
  • Chef Andarrio Johnson, known for Southern fare and comfort food
  • Chef Matt Barry, of Midwood Smokehouse
  • Chef William Williams, of Seasoned Provisions

Tickets and a Discount

VIP Experience: $89. 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Includes access to the VIP Champagne Lounge, a bottle of wine, an extra hour of sampling all wine, beer and spirits, a souvenir glass and wine bag, free water, VIP washrooms and all performances.

General Admission: $49. 1 to 6 p.m. Includes a souvenir wine glass, all-you-care-to-taste wines, beers & spirits and all performances.

Use promo code CLTCHEAP20 to save 20% on both GA and VIP tickets. The discount can’t be combine dwith any other sales or promotion.

Ticket prices increase on-site.

Buy Tickets

Ticket Giveaway

Drink Eat Relax Events is giving away several tickets to Charlotte on the Cheap readers!

  • 5 winners will each win a pair of GA tickets
  • 1 winner will win a pair of VIP tickets

To enter to win tickets, just scroll down to the comment section and leave a comment! Please make sure to leave your correct email address, so that we can send you the tickets if you win. Your email address won’t be public.

The winners will be random selected on April 14, 2024.

Ballantyne’s Backyard

11611 N. Community House Road
Charlotte, NC

Get Directions

Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. Paul says

    This sounds like a great event to visit Ballentyne’s Backyard for the first time.

  13. Nancy says

    My husband and I are seniors on a budget. He’s an ex- chef and it would be wonderful to attend. This event coincides with his birthday even, and it would be so enjoyable to be able to spend time together at your event.

  15. Helene a Rivlin says

    Would love to surprise my husband with this. Sounds amazing.
    I read this column every day; some great things to do and read about.

  17. Geri Usery says

    Thanks for the reminder that this awesome event is happening soon. My neighbor has experienced many sad moments recently and I would love to treat her to some fun!

  21. Melinda DAngelone says

    Wine, Food, Music on a Saturday afternoon=a teacher’s dream day. I’d love to win tickets!

  22. Debra Edwards says

    Would love to ‘wine’ down with family after experiencing the lost of my mom. Please consider us!!

  23. Sandra Deloatch says

    My husband and I just celebrated our 2nd anniversary and I would love to win these tickets so he can see that Charlotte has a lot to offer.

  25. Jamaica Kersey says

    It’s back! I’ve never been before and I absolutely love wine and food! This would be a nice event to attend and thankfully I won’t be stuck in the house doing papers!

  28. Susan Gugliuzza says

    This event looks like so much fun … please pick me. I’ll bring my husband too. Thank you

  38. Charleen says

    Wow! Sounds like an amazing event. You only live once; so drink great wine. Keep calm and pour on!!!!!

  43. Janell Hart says

    Have been on the hunt do something within the Charlotte area for MONTHS – especially being a young adult with severe depression and lack of friends. Could definitely be a change of pace for me <3

  47. Pete Weber says

    There’s nothing better on a beautiful Spring Day than being at the Ballantyne Backyard for a Wine & Food Festival ! Can’t Wait !!!

  58. Kelli Lovell-Phinazee says

    Sounds like a great way to explore a new city, just moved here last summer. Would love yo win and experience this festival.

  59. Lori Wilson says

    Great way to celebrate Charlotte in 2024. Love this area. It is booming with New and I would love to soak it all in this Spring at Ballantyne Backyard. This festival kick starts spring and I am all in! Would love to celebrate with you all!

  66. Raven says

    I had a wonderful time at their last event, and I would love to attend again. Thanks for keeping us updated on all the free and cheap things!

  68. Barbara J. Martin says

    Could really use a drink, eat, relax event.
    Will be waiting by my in-box for news. 😉

  72. William Smith says

    It is so great to see the growth in Charlotte in the food and beverage industry. and I love that you’re showcasing the variety that we now have here. When we first moved here, we did not have a lot of options and this just makes living here all that much better now.!

  76. Alan Esterley says

    My wife and I moved to South Carolina 4 1/2 years ago, so we have not yet been to this event and would love to check it out. We are on SS so winning tickets would be awesome.

  82. David Henricks says

    This sounds like a fun afternoon. The featured chefs also are amazing, I’d love to sample their creations. My wife and I live near Ballantine and I work there too. This would be a great surprise for her!

  87. Dominic H says

    Winning tickets would be the icing on the cake..the cake here is wine ofcourse lol

  92. Camille Smith says

    What an amazing opportunity to sample the best of Charlotte while enjoying Mother Nature in all her spring glory. I’d love to win tickets!

  102. JoNell Franklyn says

    Sounds like a delicious and delightful time! Would love to win tickets to this event!

  103. JoNell Franklyn says

    Sounds like a delicious and delightful time! Would love to win tickets to this event!

  110. Michele Baker says

    Would love to win! I just got a new job after a year of trying and this would be a lovely way to celebrate! This looks like an amazing event!

  115. Lynda Kenny says

    The festival will be a Fun Time had by All. Hopefully we get tickets, so we can join the festivities 🥳 Thanx SO MUCH!!

  116. Nalan says

    Food & wine and in Ballantyne- what a great event! It will be such a nice surprise to win one pair of tickets 🙏

  118. Kay Smith says

    What a fun way to spend the day! Love day drinking, especially outside in such a great atmosphere ❤️

  119. Keisha Riley says

    We love events at Ballantyne’s backyard!! Can’t wait to go to this one!!!

  120. Selene says

    I have never attended this event and hopefully I can win and try it with my family! Can’t wait

  129. Elyse says

    Pick me 🤞🤞🤞😊
    We love to try new things … sounds like fun!!!
    Thank you💜

  133. Amie Cohen says

    My husband and I would love to attend this event. I am a foodie and this event is right up my alley. Nothing better than a great wine and food pairing!!

  134. Brooke D says

    Just moved to Charlotte from New Orleans! This would be an amazing way to get to know the area and meet some locals since we came in blind!

  140. Chris McKee says

    We appreciate the opportunity to win two tickets to this fabulous event!
    Thank you.

  150. Sally says

    Just what my husband and I need a fun weekend just moved here and would love to celebrate our new home area

  151. Celine says

    Food and wine! This looks like a great event and way to expand our palate taste. I would love to go.

  156. Yasmin says

    I have been one several years ago and it was prior to the pandemic, not only was it fun, but it was very educational. I would love to attend again! I know it would be a good time!

  159. Zondra Harris says

    This is the perfect date!! Amazing food, great wines and a wonderful time!! Just meet someone and this is perfect for our first date! Neither of us are from Charlotte so it would be awesome for us! I need these tickets please. 😊

  163. Adrianne Stevens says

    This event looks awesome! I hear amazing reviews every year and would love to experience this year!

  164. Elizabeth Serrano says

    My second year living in Charlotte! Hopeful to go this year, excited to find a new favorite bottle of wine!

  165. Jason McManus says

    I went to the brew fest in South End last Saturday. I would like to attend this even in upcoming Ballantyne!!

  170. Kimberly says

    Thanks Charlotte on the Cheap team for keeping us in the know on all things Charlotte. This festival sounds like fun! I’m in!

  176. Kimberley O’Connell says

    What an amazing event idea that lets the chefs of Ballantyne shine! My boyfriend & I moved down to Ballantyne from NJ going on 2 years ago & we still have not had a chance to go to this. I would love to get a chance to attend this year! Charlotte on the Cheap is always my #1 source for finding cheap & free things to do since I have been down here. I have discovered so many hidden gems & attended many unique events thanks to their dedication to posting all kinds of intriguing places to visit in & around the Charlotte area. Thank you for keeping everyone up to date on all the possibilities & opportunities happening around us! Keep up the great work! 👍👍👍

  177. Zeke Farrington says

    Looking to have a great time! It’s been awhile since hanging out and having some fun!

  187. Stacey Bradam says

    Thanks… Charlotte on the Cheap for the chance to win . My husband and I are celebrating 30 years married in May . This would definitely be a fun event to win and celebrate . We have recently moved so haven’t had alot of time or money to enjoy the city .

  196. Maisy Barnette says

    Charlotte on the Cheap has the best ideas on how to spend the weekend! I hope I win!

  198. Todd Woerner says

    I’ve been to a few festivals at Ballantyne backyard. They’re always a good time! Haven’t been to this festival yet, but thinking I should…

  201. McKenzie Walters says

    Sounds so fun! Who doesn’t love wine and food. Thanks for the opportunity 🙂

  202. Gina Giannattasio says

    Thank You Charlotte on the Cheap, you always look out for us with great giveaways and looks like this one does not disappoint! Crossing my fingers 🙂 Sounds like a great way to support local AND create some great memories.

  234. Emily Galat says

    This sounds like a fun event to get a chance to try yummy food and delightful spirits. 🤞🏻

  235. Maggie Reasons says

    Love a good spring event involving food. Let’s be real. Anything with food.

  238. Courtnay Francis says

    What a great event! I can’t wait for this one. I love seeing all of the great events that Ballantyne has to offer. I love the opportunity to try differ cuisines from some incredible local chefs.

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