September 19
By Deb Sanders
North Second Street will transform into a lively, open-air street festival for this annual tradition which offers an unforgettable afternoon where every glass is a genuine celebration of wine, culture and community.
Beyond being Frenchtown’s premier autumn festival, La Fête du Vin carries a deeper global mission: it serves as the primary fundraiser for the French Chapter of the St. Charles Sister Cities Program.
Whether you are a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply looking for a fun Saturday afternoon with family and friends, this offers something for every palate. The festival grounds stretch along North Second Street between Lawrence Street and Wood Street. While a portion of the street where the festival is being held will be closed to vehicle traffic, convenient parking is available on surrounding streets and in city lots throughout Frenchtown.
La Fête du Vin is open to the public of all ages, but alcohol tasting is strictly 21+ and requires a ticket. Guests checking in with a valid ID receive a wristband and an official souvenir tasting glass, which they can use to receive samples from participating tasting vendors throughout the festival.
Prior to the event, you can purchase tickets for $30 on the official festival website: www.stcwinefestival.com. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event for $35.
This year’s lineup features 14 beverage vendors, with the vast majority providing tastings. Many regional favorites will be there, including The Blufftop at Rocheport, Noboleis Vineyards, Saint James Winery, Chateau Sainte Genevieve and Sugar Creek. For those seeking distinct craft pours, Ozark Viking Meadery will be serving traditional honey mead, alongside craft brews from Good News Brewery and spirits from Naked Tiki Distilling. To round out the festival experience, local food vendors will be serving up fresh, flavorful bites available for purchase. There will also be opportunities to shop at unique pop-up boutiques.
Music plays an anchor role in setting the festival's welcoming atmosphere. "We're going for an acoustic vibe," Stacey Chambers, Festival Coordinator, explains. “We want it to feel like you’re coming to a wine festival first, with great music as part of the experience.”
Music coordinator Scott Hensley—father of local musician Claudia Rose—curated this year’s roster of regional acoustic artists. Performance setups will be scattered across four locations along Second Street. Claudia Rose returns to perform again this year among a lineup of talented local musicians.
Along the street, attendees can also watch Plein Air Riverfront Artists conduct live painting demonstrations, capturing the energy of Frenchtown in real time. Guests even have the chance to purchase and take home a fresh, locally made masterpiece.
While La Fête du Vin makes for a memorable community event, its purpose is rooted in international diplomacy and education. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the French Chapter relies entirely on two annual fundraisers—September’s wine festival and April’s intimate Sip and Savor tasting at La Belle Vie—to fund its work.
The city of St. Charles and the city of Montbéliard in France, have built connections for over two decades. Following the official Letter of Intent in September of 2022 and the formation of the French Chapter board in 2023, the partnership will reach its official milestone this September. St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer will travel to Montbéliard to sign the formal twinning agreement, followed by a return visit from Montbéliard’s mayor, Madame Marie-Noëlle Biguinet, during St. Charles Oktoberfest to complete the Sister City declaration. The funds raised from La Fête du Vin will support St. Charles students participating in upcoming high school exchange programs with Montbéliard, as well as cultural programs and community initiatives here in St. Charles.
As a flight attendant, Chambers feels very fortunate that she gets to see much of the world outside the US. “I get to see that even though we may look and sound different, we share so many of the same human experiences—we all experience heartbreak, love, joy and fear,” Chambers shares. “That is a big part of our ‘why.’ We want students to have the opportunity to experience life outside of what is familiar to them, because exposure to other cultures can change the way you see the world and the people in it. And we want to make sure finances are never the reason a student can’t have that opportunity."