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David Ortiz's Big-Papi Wine Tasting Lights Up Mohegan Sun's 22nd-Anniversary Wine & Food Fest

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/11 .. hegan-sun-s-22nd-anniversary-wine-food-fest.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, November 11th 2025 at 8:46 GMT by Hartford Courant

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Wine and Big Papi: How to Attend David Ortiz’s Special Event at Mohegan Sun’s 22nd‑Anniversary Sun Wine & Food Fest

The 22nd‑annual Sun Wine & Food Festival—one of the region’s most celebrated culinary affairs—has turned up a star‑power twist this year. On Sunday, November 22, 2025, the historic Mo Heggan Sun casino in Uncasville, Connecticut will host a private tasting and meet‑and‑greet with none other than former Boston Red Sox legend and longtime “Big Papi” David Ortiz. The feature event promises to pair the thrill of a baseball icon with the sophistication of world‑class wines, a pairing that has already drawn enthusiastic buzz across the Connecticut‑New England corridor.

The Big Papi Experience

At the heart of the program is a curated tasting experience that showcases over 30 vintages from the West Coast, Burgundy, and South Africa. According to the event page on Mo Heggan Sun’s official website, attendees will be guided through each pour by an award‑winning sommelier, with commentary that ties each wine to a personal story from Ortiz’s life—both on and off the field. Ortiz himself will appear in the evening’s “From the Pitch to the Palate” segment, where he will share anecdotes about his childhood in Puerto Rico, the influence of his family’s cuisine on his palate, and the moment he decided to make a career change from baseball to the world of wine appreciation.

The tasting is slated to start at 5:30 p.m. and will continue through 8:30 p.m., after which guests will have the opportunity to mingle with Ortiz for a short, interactive Q&A. The event will also feature a special charity component: a portion of the ticket sales will go toward the Ortiz Foundation’s “Sons of the Caribbean” program, which supports education for under‑served children in Puerto Rico.

Food Pairings and Local Flavors

One of the festival’s long‑running highlights is its focus on pairing wine with locally sourced food. For this event, Mo Heggan Sun’s culinary team, in partnership with the Connecticut Food Hall of Fame, has created a menu that highlights the region’s best. Signature dishes include slow‑roasted pork ribs, fresh‑caught scallop ceviche, and a deconstructed apple pie that pays homage to Ortiz’s Puerto Rican heritage. Each course is matched to a specific wine, and a short explanatory note accompanies each dish, giving guests insight into the flavor profile and how it complements the food.

The food trucks that usually roam the festival grounds will also be present, providing a street‑food twist that many guests are eager to try. The highlight among them is the “Papi’s Pizzazz” pizza stand, offering a deep‑dish pizza with a Puerto Rican twist—featuring a blend of cilantro, ham, and a dash of habanero—topped with a drizzle of aged balsamic reduction. This unique fusion of local and Caribbean flavors exemplifies the festival’s ethos of celebrating culinary diversity.

Ticketing and Reservations

The official Mo Heggan Sun ticket page lists the “David Ortiz Special Tasting” as a premium package, priced at $75 per person. The ticket includes a full wine tasting, a plated dinner, a signed commemorative bottle of 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet, and a chance to take a photo with Ortiz at the end of the night. The ticket also grants access to a lounge area with a live acoustic band playing a mix of classic rock and contemporary Caribbean tunes.

Due to the limited number of seats—only 200 tickets are available—the event has already sold out in many online ticketing portals. The organizers recommend booking as soon as possible via the official Mo Heggan Sun website or through the partnered ticketing service, Ticketmaster, where a “special seating map” feature highlights the exact location of the tasting tables.

If you’re planning to attend but are unable to secure a ticket through the standard channels, the article advises checking the “Second‑Chance Ticket” page on Mo Heggan Sun’s site, which offers a last‑minute drop of tickets for a few selected seats that become available if the event is not sold out by the close of ticket sales.

A Night of Nostalgia and Celebration

While the main focus of the evening will be the wine tasting, Ortiz’s presence brings an extra layer of excitement. In a short interview quoted in the article, Ortiz expressed his appreciation for the way the festival has grown over the years, noting how it “mirrors the evolution of the Red Sox, from the old‑school power hitters to the modern, diversified lineup.” He also highlighted the significance of celebrating with the local community, mentioning that many of his favorite memories from his playing days involve the New England taste buds—think clam chowder and apple cider donuts.

For attendees, the event is described as a “celebration of sports, culture, and culinary arts.” The article’s accompanying photo‑gallery shows a row of smiling fans, Ortiz in a relaxed pose near the tasting tables, and the vibrant backdrop of the Mo Heggan Sun’s patio deck lit with soft lanterns. Guests can expect a lively atmosphere that balances the intimate nature of a wine tasting with the communal joy of a sports celebration.

Final Thoughts

David Ortiz’s special event at the Sun Wine & Food Festival underscores a broader trend of athletes leveraging their platforms to engage in culinary and philanthropic endeavors. For fans of the former Red Sox superstar, it’s a chance to see him outside the baseball diamond, while wine aficionados gain a unique opportunity to explore a curated selection of wines tied to a larger narrative of personal and cultural history. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a casual fan of “Big Papi,” this evening promises to be a memorable fusion of flavor and fame—one that will resonate well beyond the final toast.

If you’re looking to experience a one‑of‑a‑kind night that blends sports legend, fine wine, and community spirit, keep an eye on Mo Heggan Sun’s official website for any updates on ticket availability or additional programming. For now, it’s safe to say the 22nd‑annual Sun Wine & Food Festival has found its newest marquee attraction in a man who truly knows how to make the world feel a little more delicious.