Sacha Lichine, the visionary behind the global rosé renaissance, convenes the world’s leading culinary and wine figures for an exclusive festival in the Swiss Alps.
Culinary Host Committee to include Chefs Albert Adrià and Alain Ducasse
June 17, 2026 (Gstaad, Switzerland) — Château d’Esclans and Whispering Angel founder Sacha Lichine, a Bordeaux native and son of the legendary Alexis Lichine, raised at Château Prieuré-Lichine and Château Lascombes, with early exposure to the wines of Burgundy and a start in the wine trade as a sommelier, announces the launch of the Gstaad Wine & Food Festival, a new international culinary gathering debuting in the Swiss Alps from Thursday, June 24 through Sunday, June 27, 2027.
With a foundation rooted in one of Bordeaux’s most storied wine families and training that spans Burgundy and the global wine trade as a sommelier (as well as time spent in California working for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits as a key account specialist early in his career), Lichine brings decades of experience and perspective to the creation of a festival that celebrates the full breadth of the international wine and culinary landscape. Château d’Esclans and Whispering Angel, widely recognized for their role in elevating the global perception of rosé, form part of this journey, reflecting a broader commitment to innovation and excellence across the wine world.
Conceived and led by Lichine in collaboration with a distinguished circle of globally recognized culinary and hospitality leaders, the four-day, highly curated festival will convene an exceptional roster of some of the world’s most respected winemakers, sommeliers and tastemakers from around the world, positioning Gstaad as a new stage for international gastronomy and wine culture. The festival’s Culinary Host Committee is expected to include internationally celebrated chefs Albert Adrià and Alain Ducasse, who will help shape the vision and culinary direction of the inaugural event alongside Lichine and the festival’s international advisory leadership. The festival will also benefit from the expertise of internationally respected wine authorities Jane Anson, Matthew Jukes, and Chandra Kurt, who are expected to serve as advisors and ambassadors.
More than a festival, the Gstaad Wine & Food Festival is envisioned as a celebration of excellence, place and possibility, where world-class craftsmanship meets the quiet luxury and natural beauty of the Alps. Guests are invited not only to taste and discover, but to engage with wine and cuisine in a setting defined by intimacy, elegance, and a distinct sense of belonging.
“For me, this is about creating something meaningful and enduring – bringing together great winemakers, chefs and guests in a way that allows for genuine connection and discovery,” says Lichine. “Gstaad offers that rare combination of beauty, discretion and international spirit that makes it unlike anywhere else.”
The inaugural program will unfold as a dynamic, day-to-night series of ticketed experiences across the village, from curated tastings and masterclasses to themed lunches, destination dinners and exclusive chalet gatherings. A central festival tent will anchor larger-scale moments, while more intimate experiences take place throughout Gstaad’s five-star hotels, celebrated restaurants and private chalets, creating a seamless flow from day into evening.
Expected to welcome more than 1,500 guests in its inaugural year, the festival will feature over 30 internationally renowned wine producers and more than 20 leading chefs, each contributing to a program designed to feel both globally significant and deeply personal. Among the wineries participating in this inaugural festival are Domaine Henri Boillot of Puligny-Montrachet, Domaine Michelot of Meursault, Château Pontet-Canet, Château d’Esclans, and Château Cos d’Estournel, representing some of the most acclaimed names from Burgundy and Bordeaux. Additional participating wineries and culinary talent will be announced in the coming months.
To bring this vision to life, Lichine has partnered with an exceptional group of industry leaders, including Lee Brian Schrager, founder of the Food Network South Beach and New York City Wine & Food Festival, and acclaimed culinary strategist Terry Zarikian, alongside a broader international advisory group spanning wine, gastronomy and hospitality. Together, they represent some of the most influential voices in the global culinary landscape, united by a shared ambition to create something both elevated and distinctive.
“Our goal is to craft an experience that goes beyond the ordinary, inviting guests to indulge in the finest wines and cuisine while connecting on a deeper level with the essence of Gstaad,” said Schrager. “This festival will not only showcase extraordinary culinary talent, but also highlight the unique beauty and charm of the destination, creating something truly unforgettable.”
Rooted in both international excellence and local authenticity, the festival will be developed in close collaboration with renowned hotel Le Grand Bellevue, alongside iconic Gstaad establishments, highlighting the unmatched hospitality and understated sophistication of the Saanenland.
In addition to celebrating culinary achievement, the Gstaad Wine & Food Festival looks to the future, with a portion of proceeds dedicated to a scholarship fund supporting the next generation of talent in hospitality and the culinary arts.
Additional details, including participating chefs and wineries, programming highlights and ticketing information, will be announced in the coming months.
For more information, visit www.gstaadwineandfood.ch.
