Vines by Rosa Wine tasting tour takes Abuja and Lagos by storm with carefully curated food and wine pairing

NIgeria’s capital city Abuja came alive yesterday as Vines by Rosa hosted the Italian Wine and Nakia Food Exploration Festival at the renowned Truck Central by Chef Stone marking a vibrant celebration of culture, taste, and craftsmanship. The event brought together wine producers, sommeliers, food enthusiasts, and hospitality professionals for an extraordinary evening of discovery, indulgence, and cross-cultural fusion.

The festival, themed “Italian Wine and Nakia Food Exploration,” showcased a perfect blend of Italian winemaking excellence and the creativity of Nigerian cuisine. Attendees experienced a curated lineup of activities including masterclasses, professional tastings, and exclusive dinners—all designed to explore the harmony between Italian wines and Nigerian-inspired dishes, collectively referred to as Nakia cuisine. The event provided a platform for guests to engage directly with Italian wine producers, learn from industry experts, and savour dishes thoughtfully paired with wines from Italy’s most celebrated regions.

Set within the dynamic ambience of Truck Central, Nigeria’s first wine-barrel-inspired food truck park, the evening captured the essence of casual sophistication that has come to define Chef Stone’s culinary ventures. The venue’s open-air layout, stylish decor, and creative atmosphere created the perfect setting for an event that celebrated both elegance and authenticity. Chef Stone, who hosted the exclusive dinner experience, presented a menu that merged local ingredients with Italian-inspired techniques, showcasing how Nigerian flavours can find perfect harmony with fine wines from across Europe.

In her remarks, Chinedu Rita Rosa, founder of Vines by Rosa, expressed her delight at the success of the event and the growing interest in wine appreciation across Nigeria. “This festival was not just about tasting wines; it was about connection—connecting Italy’s rich wine heritage with Nigeria’s vibrant food culture,” she said. “We are proud to have created a space where people could learn, taste, and celebrate the art of pairing global excellence with local identity.”

Throughout the evening, guests participated in interactive sessions including “Meet the Producers”, where Italian vintners shared insights into their winemaking philosophies and regional techniques. The Masterclasses, led by wine educators from Vines by Rosa, offered participants an in-depth look into Italy’s wine regions, grape varieties, and the science of pairing wine with food. The Professional Tastings allowed attendees to experience a wide spectrum of Italian wines—from crisp whites and sparkling varieties to rich reds—while exploring how they complement Nigerian spices, textures, and flavours.

The highlight of the night was the Exclusive Dinner Experience, curated by Chef Stone in collaboration with Vines by Rosa’s team. Each course was paired with a specific Italian wine, creating an extraordinary balance between bold Nigerian flavours and the nuanced notes of Italian craftsmanship. The menu exemplified the creative possibilities that emerge when two culinary worlds meet, leaving guests with a deeper appreciation for both food and wine as shared languages of culture.

Speaking about the partnership, Chef Stone noted that the collaboration represents a new chapter in Nigeria’s evolving food scene. “Truck Central was built to redefine how people experience dining in Nigeria, and this festival was the perfect reflection of that vision,” he said. “Working with Vines by Rosa to blend Italian wines with Nakia cuisine shows how far we’ve come in building a culinary culture that is proudly local yet globally connected.”

The success of the event underscores the growing sophistication of Nigeria’s wine and dining culture. As Abuja continues to establish itself as a hub for food and wine experiences, Vines by Rosa’s Italian Wine and Nakia Food Exploration Festival stands as a milestone in bridging international gastronomy with local authenticity.

Yesterday’s event was more than a festival—it was a celebration of artistry, flavour, and connection. Through every glass poured and every dish served, Vines by Rosa and Chef Stone demonstrated how two distinct worlds—Italian wine and Nigerian cuisine—can come together to create something timeless, elegant, and truly unforgettable.

For Lagos, Wednesday 12th will mark another interesting highlights of events continuing the delightful journey of pitching quality Italian wine to enthusiastic fans of Italian unique flavors. Happening at Smokes and Barrels in Victoria island with professional wine tasting and masterclass session