Miramar Beach, Florida (March 5, 2024) – One of the most exciting additions to the 2024 South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is the partnership with the Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA). The WVWA is bringing 15 of their prestigious wineries to the festival this year. Vineyard owners and winemakers will pour their award-winning wines and be able to converse directly with attendees in a relaxed manner. Willamette Valley Wineries Association is celebrating their 40-year anniversary with South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival and it’s going to be a very special celebration for all! In addition, another 500 wines from around the world and 100 craft spirits will be poured at the 2024 event at the beach.

The featured Grand Tasting Tent will showcase Willamette winemakers, including some of the most important winemakers of Oregon wines. David Adelsheim, of Adelsheim Vineyard, is the original petitioner of the Willamette Valley AVA will be on hand for the weekend festivities. The esteemed Eugenia Keegan of Willakenzie Estate will participate, as will winemaker and co-owner Ben Casteel of Bethel Heights Vineyard, Max Bruening from Ponzi Vineyards, Jim Bernau of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Bethany Ford of Illahe Vineyards and many more.  

Additionally, the charismatic global brand ambassador, Jgor Marini, with our long-time festival friends at Banfi wines will be on hand to pour and charm his audience.  Educational tasting seminars have become a popular in-demand part of South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, and the 2023 line-up is no exception. 

Expect a big demand for the seminar presented by Myra Barginear, co-founder and CEO of Paul Sutton Bourbon, who was named a leading “Women in Whiskey” by Forbes. Her award-winning bourbon has received major industry recognition. Other weekend seminars include a Banfi wine tasting presented by Jgor Marini and a panel discussion with a selection of the WVWA wineries. Sunday’s seminars kick-off with a sparkling tasting by Celene Lannoye of Celene Bordeaux – we love our bubbles on Sunday!  

Creative large-scale interactive activations presented by in-demand spirits are an exclusive way for attendees to meet distillers and industry insiders, who are eager to talk about their distilling practices. Expect engaging activations from George Dickel Bourbon, On the Rocks Cocktails, Mijenta Tequila, Bardstown Bourbon, Garrison Brothers Bourbon and more. 

Tickets are on sale now for South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, taking place April 25 – April 28, 2024, in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. With more than 600 quality wines and spirits to taste over four days, this annual award-winning charity event delivers a wine experience unparalleled among Northwest Florida wine festivals. The 2024 festival will not only feature world-class wines, but craft spirits will also be showcased throughout the weekend. 

The festival kicks off Thursday at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. with Winemakers & Shakers, held at Wine World in Destin. The VIP Wine Tasting takes place Friday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., followed by the Friday night Craft Beer & Spirits Jam, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. The Grand Tastings are Saturday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. (note the new Saturday time) and Sunday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. The VIP Tasting can only be attended by purchasing the VIP Wine Festival 3-Day Package that includes most festival events as well. All Friday, Saturday and Sunday events are held at Grand Boulevard’s Town Center. 

Presented by Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and Visit South Walton, the festival offers the ideal backdrop for wine, charity and fun along the famed South Walton beaches, named among the best beaches in the country. Hyatt Place Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard and Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard are the Official Lodging Partners of the festival. Rowland Publishing Inc. is the Official Media Sponsor of the festival. 

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is made possible by the generous support of the following partners and sponsors: Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association; Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa; Wine World of Northwest Florida; BankPlus; Publix Super Market; Silver Sands Premium Outlets; Vintage Sign & Lights; RCI Landscaping; McCaskill & Company; Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance; McKibbon Hospitality; Culligan Water; Sowal.com; VIP Destin Magazine and Coastal Accounting. About South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is an annual charity event held the last weekend in April. The festival features a stunning showcase of some of the best wines in the world. Celebrity wine producers and chefs present fine wine and food pairings from the world’s most famous appellations. The Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food tasting seminars. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida.

Miramar Beach, Fla., (Nov. 29, 2023) — Tickets are on sale now for South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, taking place April 25 – April 28, 2024, in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. Pre-sale ticket prices are considerably discounted and are good through December 31, 2023. With more than 600 quality wines and spirits to taste over four days, this annual award-winning charity event delivers a wine experience unparalleled among Northwest Florida wine festivals. The 2024 festival will not only feature world-class wines, but craft spirits will also be showcased throughout the weekend.

"The 2024 festival is all about the experience. You can't go anywhere in the world and get this experience and proximity to wine and spirits royalty. Craft spirits have exploded in popularity, and we will present the best of the best and even show attendees how to make great craft cocktails during the festival," said Chan Cox, festival founder and owner of Wine World.

"The 2024 festival is all about the experience. You can't go anywhere in the world and get this experience and proximity to wine and spirits royalty. Craft spirits have exploded in popularity, and we will present the best of the best...," said Chan Cox, festival founder and owner of Wine World.

We are pleased to announce that the Willamette Valley Wineries Association will be featured in 2024 and more than a dozen of their noted winemakers and winery VIPs will participate in the festival.

In addition to the vast selection of wines from around the world, the festival is known for hosting nationally and internationally well-known wine celebrities and 2024 will be no exception. Past wine and food celebrities include Don Hartford, Peter Mondavi, Jr., Chuck Wagner, Marc Perrin, Jean Charles Boissett and Chef Emeril Lagasse.

The Savor South Walton Culinary Village will feature wine and food pairings and Nosh Pavilions, located throughout the festival grounds, feature local coastal cuisine. More than 100 tasting tents and popular educational seminars featuring participating celebrities take place at Saturday and Sunday's Grand Tastings. Festival tickets are all-inclusive and everything is included in the one ticket price for that day.

The festival kicks off Thursday at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. with Winemakers & Shakers, held at Wine World in Destin. The VIP Wine Tasting takes place Friday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., followed by the Friday night Craft Beer & Spirits Jam, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. The Grand Tastings are Saturday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. (note the new Saturday time) and Sunday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. The VIP Tasting can only be attended by purchasing the VIP Wine Festival 3-Day Package that includes most festival events as well.

The South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival is truly a celebration of wine, food and music that everyone can feel good about. This event is a major fundraiser for the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation with proceeds benefiting children in need in Northwest Florida.

Presented by Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and Visit South Walton, the festival offers the ideal backdrop for wine, charity and fun along the South Walton beaches, named among the best beaches in the country.

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is made possible by the generous support of the following Founding Partners: Visit South Walton Tourist Development Council, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Wine World of Northwest Florida and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®.

The South Walton Beaches Food & Wine Festival has been chosen as one of the top 3 winners in the Best Event category of the 2023 Perfect in Walton County Awards! The Perfect in South Walton Awards give locals and visitors a chance to shine a spotlight on their South Walton favorites. This year’s awards presentation took place on January 26th, 2023.

Miramar Beach, Fla., (Sept. 13, 2023) – The annual South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival donated $40,000 to Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) to support 16 children’s charities in Northwest Florida on Aug. 31, 2023. The charity wine festival, founded by Chan Cox of Wine World, designates DCWAF as the sole recipient of the net proceeds of the event and has donated $223,000 to the organization since 2013. More than 5,500 people attended the 2023 festival. 

“Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation is honored to be the beneficiary of South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival. As the festival continues to grow, so does its generous contribution to our mission of helping children in need in Northwest Florida. This donation will make a positive impact in the lives of many, and it is a privilege to work side by side to make a difference for kids who need so much,” said Karah Fridley-Young, President of DCWAF. 

Destin Charity Wine Auction was held during the wine and food festival weekend and raised $3.4 million dollars for the charitable organizations that address hunger, homelessness, abuse, and physical and mental challenges for thousands of children in Northwest Florida communities. 

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival took place April 27-30, 2023, in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®, a mixed-use development located along South Walton’s picturesque Northwest Florida beaches. More than 600 wines and spirits, poured by dozens of noted national and international wine and spirits celebrities, highlighted the festival. The Savor South Walton Culinary Village and Tasting Seminars featuring visiting celebrities were showcased. Entertainment at the festival was provided by the Casey Kearney Band and DJ Pinke. 

Festival founding partners include Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, Visit South Walton Tourist Development Council, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and VISIT FLORIDA, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Wine World of Northwest Florida and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®. Hyatt Place Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard and Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard are the Official Lodging Partners of the festival. Rowland Publishing Inc. is the Official Media Sponsor of the festival. 

Many thanks to our special culinary guests, including Chef Max Morrison, Culinary Director, The Craft Bar, The Wine Bar, and South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival; Chef Yoshie Eddings, Harbor Docks; Chef Princeton McDonald, Barefoot’s Beachside Bar & Grill, at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa; and Rinske Working Cows Dairy, Slocomb, AL.  

Additional South Walton participating restaurants included Louie Louie; The Perfect Pig; Cabana Café; Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House; Beach Camp and Ernie’s Hot Dogs and Freddie’s Southern Eats.  

Grand Boulevard participating restaurants included Emeril’s Coastal; Black Bear Bread Company; everkrisp; Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Bar; Grimaldi’s Coal Brick Oven Pizzeria; Kilwin’s Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream; P.F. Chang’s China Bistro; Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar; The Wine Bar, and The Bistro at the Courtyard Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard. South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is indebted to the festival long-time and new sponsors, including BankPlus; Silver Sands Premium Outlets; Publix Super Market; Vintage Sign & Lights; RCI Landscaping; McCaskill & Company; Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance; McKibbon Hospitality; Culligan Water; Sowal.com; VIP Destin Magazine; Beach Better and Coastal Accounting. The 2024 South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival takes place April 25-28.