Sandestin Wine Festival Enhances Food and Wine Experiences
It’s time again for the best wine festival in all of Florida (in our humble opinion), the Sandestin Wine Festival near Destin, Florida. The Sandestin Wine Festival is building on its fine reputation as Florida’s most established wine festival, and offering enhanced food and wine experiences.
This year, the Sandestin Wine Festival welcomes guests to the Coastal Living Cooking Demonstrations and an unprecedented VIP Experience.
Scheduled for this April 26-29, the Sandestin Wine Festival is known as the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals,” and is a picture perfect event complete with white tents, the tasting of more than 600 wines, gourmet food and live music. The event is one of the best of the year and draws thousands of people to The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
Opportunities to enhance this fine Wine Festival experience include the following:
Cooking Demonstrations and Seminars — Novice and experienced foodies can register for up to four seminars and cooking demonstrations from top area chefs. Presented on the Coastal Living Magazine Cooking Stages, these one hour events feature a sample menu paired with wine. The sessions provide an opportunity to relax and learn and are only $20 each, in addition to the Grand Wine Tasting.
Saturday, April 28 at 2 p.m. - Johnny Earles, founder of Criolla’s in Grayton Beach and five time guest of the James Beard Foundation will prepare and demonstrate Scallops al Pil Pil with Valencia cake, almonds and olives.
Saturday, April 28 at 4 p.m. - Irv Miller, partner and executive chef at Jackson’s Steakhouse in Pensacola, is recognized as one of the originators of the New Florida Cooking and a pioneer of Florida Coastal Cooking. He will be preparing and demonstrating Tzatziki pita chips with slow roasted lamb belly paired with micro herbs, toasted walnuts and East Hill Honey.
Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. - Jim Richard, partner and executive chef at the acclaimed Stinky’s Fish Camp, will be preparing and demonstrating an authentic Spanish Paella. He and his recipes have been featured in Southern Living and Coasting Living among other prestigious publications.
Sunday, April 29 at 4 p.m. - Tim Creehan, owner of Destin’s Cuvee Bistro Restaurant, will be preparing Creole French Louisiana crawfish etouffee with green tomato crisp and steamed rice. He is the author of three cookbooks and has appeared on numerous television programs.
The Sandestin Wine Festival VIP Experience – VIP ticket holders will enjoy private events, conversations with notable wine personalities and other exclusive benefits. This limited VIP event is available for only $150 per day of choice and includes:
- VIP tasting including a four year vertical of 2006-2009 Chateau de Beaucastel Chatenauneuf du Pape Rouge, two wines rated 99 and 98 by Wine Advocate, and an interesting comparative tasting of the 1998 and 2008 vintages of Burgess Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
- A celebrity reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with top industry names including Tom Burgess of Burgess Cellars; Luis Burgueno of Marques de Caceres; Cameron Fisher of Fisher Vineyards; Jorge Gutierrez of Napa Angel Winery; Jesse Lange of Lange Vineyards; Cesar Perrin of Famille Perrin Estates; Joy Sterling of Iron Horse Vineyards; Enrique Toso of Pascual Toso Winery; Marcelo Victoria of Archaval Ferrer Winery; and Joseph Wagner of Belle Glos.
- Tasting menu lunch by Marlin Grill Restaurant
- A Specialty Reidel Wine Glass
- Express entry into the Grand Wine Tasting
Availability is limited for the special Cooking Demonstrations and VIP Experience Package. To secure tickets and additional information, go to www.sandestinwinefestival.com.
Enjoy your Sandestin Wine Festival experience even more when you stay in a by owner vacation rental on Sandestin resort property or on one of the neighboring Beaches of South Walton. Visit our Florida Panhandle and Destin, Florida, destination pages to find your ideal vacation spot for a Spring beach vacation.
This entry was posted on Saturday, April 7th, 2012 at 8:55 pm and is filed under Festivals and Events, Florida, Food Festivals, Things To Do, Vacation In Florida. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
