Another delicious series of culinary and wine-centric events are in the works for San Antonio’s 13th annual Culinaria Wine & Food Arts Festival, last year named “most popular food and wine festival” by Vanity Fair. From, Culinaria will feature internationally renowned vintners, top Texas wine producers and the hottest San Antonio chefs.

There’s much to savor: From wine tasting and blending events at nearby vineyards; to events such as the Best of Mexico, celebrating all the treasures of the country; to Burgers & Beer, a salute to some of the most beloved Texas foods and brews; plus—new for this year—the Barbacoa Brunch, a luscious feast of traditional Mexican barbecues from various regions.

This year, another sure-to-be new favorite has been added to Culinaria’s already fabulous roster: The inaugural mobile food truck competition featuring 30 food trucks.

Whether your style is picnic-casual or elegantly upscale, Culinaria has an event to suit your taste and budget. Peruse this sampling of festival events:

• Sip, Savor & Shop (Wednesday, May 16) Sip away at an amazing wine tasting, savor an array of culinary offerings and shop at upscale retailers offering incentives and giveaways at The Shops at La Cantera.
• Winemaker Dinners (Thursday, May 17) San Antonio's best chefs create exquisite menus paired with guest winemakers for intimate dinners around the city.
• Food Truck Competition(Thursday, May 17) Cruise into Culinaria's food truck round-up and be among the first to take a bite of the festival's newest offering. Local chefs have created rabid fan bases by featuring Latin, Asian and New American cuisine – and yes, tacos, too – served from rolling roadside kitchens.
• Vineyard Lunch (Friday, May 18) Becker Vineyards hosts a multi-course luncheon amid the wildflower-painted landscape of this Hill Country winery where San Antonio and Hill Country stars create amazing dishes and winemakers share their wines’ histories and secrets.
• Best of Mexico (Friday, May 18) Welcome to the fastest-growing event on the festival schedule!  Passion reigns supreme as rich flavors are infused with colorful culture. Demonstrations celebrate all the treasures of Mexico as chefs explore the depth of this vibrant cuisine.
• Sabado at Casa Hernan (Saturday, May 19) A Mexican barbecue brunchfeaturing barbacoas from various regions of Mexico such asNortena, Poblana and Yucateca. Additional specialties of the country will be featured: chilaquiles de pollo, birria tatemada (slow roasted, seasoned kid goat with dry chiles), tamales Oaxaquenios, all with fresh corn and flour tortillas, of course.
• The Grand Tasting (Saturday, May 19) The festival’s pinnacle event offers entertainment, top chefs and winemakers galore—all along the beautiful San Antonio River Walk.
• Burgers, BBQ, Beers & Texas Spirits (Sunday, May 20) Local hangouts to fine dining establishments offer their best version of this classic backyard fare.

There are many more Culinaria events at www.culinariasa.com. To learn more about San Antonio’s flavorful culinary scene, explore www.visitsanantonio.com or call 800-ALAMO-07.

* * *

Culinaria is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting San Antonio as a premier wine and food destination while fostering community growth and enrichment and supporting local students in culinary arts and food related aid organizations. Culinaria is a registered 501 c (3)tax-exempt organization. A volunteer board of directors who represent the community and guide the organization in its mission to champion the wine and food industries governs Culinaria.

The San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, a department of the City of San Antonio, is funded through the hotel/motel occupancy tax. The bureau is a marketing, sales and service organization dedicated to the promotion of San Antonio as a meetings and visitor destination for the purpose of positively affecting the city's economy.