It’s All About Wine

Tickets for the Sandestin Wine Festival are selling faster than the proverbial hot cakes, so it’s a good idea to order now. According to special events manager Lanier Motes, current ticket sales are well ahead of those for previous festivals. “The demand is a testament that there is no substitute for this longstanding Sandestin tradition,” said Motes.

This is the 27th year for the venerable event, scheduled for April 18 through 21 at Baytowne Wharf. And the 2013 festival promises plenty of fun, with wine dinners, tastings, cooking demonstrations, live music, brunch, and a visit from celebrity chef Paula Deen.

Highlights include the Thursday night wine dinners at Sandestin’s Village of Baytowne Wharf, Friday’s Grand Wine Tasting and cooking demonstrations, Saturday’s lunch with Paula Deen, and Sunday’s Brunch by the Bay at Baytowne Marina. There will also be a tent open daily where festival-goers can buy their favorite wines (they’ll have more than 700 choices) at a discount.

Wine festival proceeds go to The Fisher House, an organization that provides free or low-cost lodging for veterans and military families receiving treatment at military medical centers.

For more information and to order tickets, go to www.sandestinwinefestival.com. Tickets   for each event are sold separately and are priced from $38 for the Sunday brunch to $195 for lunch with Paula Deen.

For information on places to stay in the area and other things to do, click on our links for Destin vacation rentals and Destin recreation.

Celebrity chef Paula Deen will be a guest at this year's Sandestin Wine Festival.