"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
- Helen Keller
As one of the area's premier events, the Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival brings together culinary specialties from local and regional restaurants pairing them with more than 200 premium wines. Sample and taste your way through this fantastic showcase of wine and food.
Our Mission
The mission of the Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival is to sponsor and support educational and community programs for youth in the lake area. Proceeds from ticket sales, sponsorships and auctions go directly to help fund schools and community programs in Putnam, Greene and Baldwin counties. By bringing together renowned chefs, winemakers and our wonderful lake communities we’ve discovered a fun and rewarding way for people to contribute and make a difference in the lives of many by improving our communities and celebrating the best life has to offer at the same time.
All corporate and individual festival sponsorships are tax deductible. Get in touch with us and see how your contribution can benefit the community and your company with increased exposure and by earning the love of your customers by giving back.
Our Beneficiaries
Revenue from ticket sales, festival sponsorships and silent auction provides the opportunity to support of our local charities.
Baldwin-Putnam Young Life
Young Life is an interdenominational Christian outreach ministry whose mission is to help adolescents in our community grow in their faith.
Gatewood Schools
Gatewood is a Christian college prep school in Eatonton, GA. It provides an exceptional educational experience to prepare students for college and lifelong success.
Georgia Writers Museum
Georgia Writers Museum is dedicated to inspiring today’s writers and readers and celebrating Georgia’s literary heritage through exhibits, programs, workshops and student education.
Putnam Reads
In partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Putnam Reads provides books to prepare preschool children in our community for reading and learning success.
Spencer Bradley Foundation
The Spencer Bradley Foundation for Mental Health supports families, communities, schools, and individuals with mental health awareness, education and counseling opportunities.
The Plaza Arts Center
The Plaza Arts Center (formerly Eatonton-Putnam Arts Foundation) provides after-school arts programs for Putnam County school children ages 4 and up.
The Victory Train
The Victory Train® is an early childhood education program that empowers parents with skills and resources to provide essential learning experiences for their children from birth to kindergarten. The Victory Train partners with local service organizations, businesses, schools, churches and governmental entities, working together to collectively address the needs of children and parents in the Greene County community.
Festival History
From a quaint lakeside gathering to a multi-day festival - we've grown a lot thanks to our generous supporters.
EST. 2008
The Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival was established in 2008. It was started by a group of volunteers from the Redeemer Episcopal School who saw the potential for an event to showcase the lake area while generating proceeds to support children's educational programs. The festival began as a dinner and auction held at Reynolds Landing. There were less than 200 attendees the first year. Each year the festival has grown in number and size. The 2016 festival played host to over 1500 attendees. After 2 years, the festival was moved to the beautiful Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds Lake Oconee. In 2016 The Lake Oconee Food and Wine Festival Incorporated and became its own 501(c)3. Since its inception the Festival has donated over $2 million dollars to lake area schools and children’s charities.
Festival Leadership
Our Volunteer Board of Directors
Working together to bring great things to the Lake Oconee community!
Our volunteer board of directors works diligently to ensure the food & wine festival prioritizes the mission of supporting arts and education based nonprofit organizations in Georgia.
As a testament to the success of our board members, the Festival has been able to donate over 2 million dollars to charity organizations!
Beyond ensuring the ongoing support to the community, our leadership is also tasked with sourcing over 200 wineries and distributors in addition to hundreds of chefs and independently owned food and dining establishments, and dozens of unique, high-quality art, craft and service vendors. And, don't forget our amazing live performers! bringing music, live painting and informative presentations to our wonderful festival attendees!
Teresa Doster
Chair
Marie Rainey
Festival Director
Cooper Rainey
Festival Director
Ann Welch
Treasurer
Debbie Cornelia
Secretary
Kim Cullens
Wil Haley
Blayre Haley
Pamela Harty
Jamie Noles
Jana Roper
Amy Schneider
Scott Schneider
Dana Vick
Douglass Weeks
Derek Welch