April 24-27, 2025
This unforgettable event blends a curated selection of offerings into an unmatched world-class experience. Come be a part of the Southeast’s stand out wine and food festival, where you’ll find the perfect pairing of sunshine, wine, food, industry celebs, and beautiful beaches.
We curated the perfect blend of 600+ world-class wines, industry experts, culinary icons, Nashville singer/songwriters, educational seminars and a sprinkle of fun and funky activations, so there’s something for everyone at SoWalWine.
So fresh. So fun. So flavorful. So friendly. Yeah, we’ll toast to that!
Choose from our individual events or go for the full-bodied, VIP experience and enjoy all three days of SoWalWine.
“In April, the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival pours out the fun during a four-day extravaganza with winemakers, distillers, and mixologists alongside bites by South Walton’s best chefs.”
So knowledgeable. So notable. So memorable. So remarkable. That’s SoWalWine’s Celebrity Guest List!
Jonathan discovered his passion for hospitality in the Caribbean before building a distinguished wine career. His career took him to New Mexico and Aspen, where he became a Sommelier at The Little Nell, later rising to Wine Director and earning his Master Sommelier diploma in 2009. After 15 years at The Little Nell, Jonathan became CEO of Chefs Club, a collaboration with Food & Wine magazine, before taking on his current role as Beverage Director at PARC Aspen. He also serves on the Board of Master Sommeliers at Wine Chips, playing a key role in flavor formulation and wine pairing innovation.
Randy Hayden celebrates 29 years in the hospitality industry, starting as a standout bartender in Atlanta before excelling in fine dining at Kevin Rathbun Steak. In Florida, he became GM of Wine World, co-founded The Craft Bar, and consulted on diverse beverage projects. Returning to Atlanta in 2016, he joined Slater Hospitality, launching award-winning programs at 9 Mile Station and 12 Cocktail Bar. Now the company’s Beverage Director, Hayden continues to drive innovation, keeping Slater Hospitality at the forefront with exciting expansions ahead. Don't miss his amazing talents Friday night at Botanicals, Bitters & Brews!
Tim, a native New Yorker, joined J. Christopher in 2006 after selling their wines on the East Coast and gained invaluable experience working with renowned wineries like Cameron and Flowers before becoming the assistant winemaker. After focusing on his own label, Timothy Malone Wines, he returned as head winemaker in 2020, where he now oversees both J. Christopher and Appassionata production while continuing to develop his own brand.
Eric Lemelson fell in love with Pinot noir early in the 1990s and planted his first vineyard in 1995, soon after moving to a Yamhill County farm. Realizing that he loved the work involved in growing wine grapes, two years later he planted an additional 30 acres of Pinot noir and began planning for construction of a gravity-flow winery. Today the estate vineyards span more than 125 acres across three Willamette Valley AVAs, all certified organically farmed. Since the inaugural release of the ‘99 vintage in October 2001, Lemelson Vineyards has been dedicated to producing some of the world’s finest cool climate varietals.
Inspired by the long-held tenet that great wines can only come from great vineyards, Jackson Family Wines searched the cool, coastal ridges around the world for some of the best vineyard land. Each of its wineries has its own distinct fingerprint and style driven by the terroir of the family-owned vineyards, and trust in our winemakers to pursue their philosophies for distinguished wines.
As the Prince Hill Vineyards winemaker, Chris oversees all aspects of farming and winemaking in Oregon with this sense of discipline. California-born and Oregon-raised, Chris is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu’s Western Culinary Institute and has nearly 20 years of experience in the wine industry, most recently serving as associate winemaker at Twomey. He attributes his tactical approach to winemaking to his mentors at Erath Winery, where he learned the importance of adaptability in the face of challenging vintages.
Morgen joined the Willamette Valley Wineries Association in 2017 as Executive Director after holding similar positions with the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association and the Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association. Prior to leading wine and tourism organizations, she was the general manager of her family's vineyard and winery where she managed all aspects of wine production, vineyard management and hospitality. Morgen has a keen interest in developing strategic partnerships within the wine and tourism industries to advance the positive recognition and demand for Willamette Valley wines.
Taylor Theis is the Director of Consumer Sales and Marketing for Résonance, Maison Louis Jadot’s first project outside of Burgundy, having joined the team in 2023. With over a decade of experience in the wine industry and a strong educational background, she combines creativity and strategic thinking to enhance the brand's growth and reputation while residing in the Willamette Valley with her husband.
As a 501(c)3, all proceeds from South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival support Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, benefiting children in need in Northwest Florida. By raising our glass, we’re raising hope for our community one sip at a time.
From fun and funky to bluegrass and everything in between, enjoy the savory sounds of Nashville singer/songwriters and local musicians as you stroll the festival.
Aaron Barker, a Texas native, began his musical journey at a young age, writing songs and performing in bands. His songwriting talent caught the attention of George Strait, leading to a string of hits like "Baby Blue" and "Love Without End, Amen." Barker also pursued a successful solo career, releasing several albums and touring extensively. Beyond his own music, he has written songs for numerous country artists, including Doug Supernaw, Lonestar, and Clay Walker. His contributions to the country music industry have earned him recognition and induction into prestigious halls of fame.
Bridgette Tatum is an accomplished singer/songwriter/producer/industry entrepreneur from Florence SC (Cackalacki) with more than 100 cuts to include #1’s under her boots! A Guitar banger with the vocal delivery of honey soaked tequila, she brings the songs and the stories to life with each line. Some call her an experience, some call her a friend to the craft, but each moment represents a piece of what’s in her soul that’ll have you walking away with a feeling of both. In her own words, “Make it honest, let it tell it’s truth, and you’ll be saying what the song needs to say. It’s always in the room.”
Casey Kearney is a fresh take on the country music scene. Her personal songs effortlessly convey both the sweetness of a Southern belle and the steel backbone of a strong country woman with a little touch of rock and grit. Her music ranges from slow heartfelt ballads to upbeat crowd favorites and playful melodies. Her sound is a great representation of vibrant women everywhere. Casey was born and raised in the Florida panhandle, where she still resides with her husband and her 3 children who are currently homeschooled and active in the local junior and high school rodeo circuit.
DJ PINKE has been dominating the Hollywood and Los Angeles club scene with her electrifying electro, house, and hip-hop mixes. Starting her musical journey at age 7 as a percussionist, she developed a keen sense of rhythm and placement. She skillfully blends classic funk, blues, and oldies with the latest hits to energize dance floors. Originally a hit at house parties in the Los Angeles Valley, PINKE rode the wave of the electronic music boom, merging hip-hop's gritty lyrics with the pulsating beats of electro and house. Her charisma and prowess quickly elevated her to a club favorite, enhancing her reputation as a top-tier DJ. Now, her talents are captivating larger audiences across California at various high-profile events and nightclubs.
Growing up in the hills of Arkansas, Forrest picked up the guitar when he was 14 years old and has been playing ever since. He grew up listening to Rock, Blues, Country, and Folk music from the 60's up to present day, which has influenced his songwriting. His style covers a variety of music, incorporating the acoustic & electric guitar and the harmonica. Forrest released his third all Original studio album “Monday To A Saturday" in May of 2019. He has two more all Original CD’s “Gonna Take Love & his self-titled album.
The nostalgic sound of classic country music is back, and it's come in the form of The Reeves Brothers. Deeply rooted in the Natural state of Arkansas, Matt and Cole Reeves spent their younger years growing up in the small town of Pahrump, Nevada down Stagecoach Road, where they lived behind The Stagestop Bar, a good ole honky tonk where their father, Jack Reeves, headlined playing country music five nights a week. Needless to say, country music runs like blood in their veins, and playing it comes as naturally as breathing. As they build their team, the Arkansas duo is quickly establishing themselves as a fixture in the Nashville music scene. Get ready for their classic country, Honky-Tonk sound to revive your country soul and grace your radio speakers soon.
Scott Reeves is a multi-talented artist with a successful career in music and acting. As a songwriter, he penned the hit song "Made in America" for Toby Keith. As a singer, he formed the duo Blue County, which achieved several chart-topping hits. Reeves has also made a name for himself as an actor, appearing in popular TV shows like General Hospital, The Young and the Restless, and Nashville. His versatility and dedication have made him a respected figure in both the music and entertainment industries.
Transcending expectations and demystifying the search for the perfect bottle, SoWalWine welcomes enthusiasts of all ages and levels—from casual sippers to the most discerning palates. Learn from the industry’s finest vintners, distillers, and experts during our educational tasting seminars on Saturday and Sunday.
2025 seminar schedule coming soon!
Enjoy interactive, on-site activations from select beverage retailers during festival weekend along Spirits Activations. Sample new recipes, learn how to craft the perfect cocktail from master mixologists, and snap some pics for the ‘Gram.
The Savor South Walton Culinary Village and Nosh Pavilions offer an extraordinary array of food, tastings, and pairings. Stroll and sample the best of South Walton while you mix and mingle with the chefs and culinary icons responsible for bringing these amazing dishes to life.
Have a question for us? Check out some of the most frequently asked questions.
The festival is located throughout Grand Boulevard’s Town Center, on multiple streets and green spaces. For the most accurate directions, enter 585 Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach, Florida, into your GPS.
Grand Boulevard has parking throughout its 52 acres of retail stores, restaurants, parks and hotels. Parking will be at a premium so we recommend ride shares or carpooling. Arrive early for the best experience!
In order to enter any of the vendor tents, including culinary village, seminars or pouring tents, you must have a wristband. There is no reduced-price wristband but, remember, SoWalWine is a charitable event and all proceeds benefit Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation.
This is an adults-only event and we do not recommend bringing children. In order to enter any of the vendor tents, including culinary village, seminars or pouring tents, you must have a wristband. There is no reduced-price wristband.
Grand Boulevard’s Town Center is open to the public during the festival. That includes all of the retail shops and restaurants. Additionally, there will be live entertainment throughout the afternoon that anyone can enjoy!
Unfortunately, we do not have this capability.
Pets may be okay, but no pets are allowed in the Culinary Village for sanitary and safety purposes. If you have a certified therapy dog with papers, it will be allowed, however, be aware that leashes may create a safety hazard.
The seminars are first come, first serve and no standing room. There are 72 seats for each seminar where attendees are treated to wine and spirits typically not available during the festival. We recommend grabbing your seat early!
Tickets are only available online.
If tickets are still available, you may purchase them at online while at Grand Boulevard the day of the event. Remember, ticket prices increase April 1st.
Send us a note or give us a call and we’ll gladly answer any questions you may have. See you soon!
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