26th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival coming soon!

Good wine, good food, and live music take center stage again this year at the annual Sandestin Wine Festival.   Set against the backdrop of Florida’s Emerald Coast, the festival, which attracts thousands each year, is affectionately called the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals.”

This year’s festival, to be held at The Village of Baytown Wharf in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, boasts   an expanded list of culinary offerings.

Beginning April 26, leading Village restaurants will offer special wine dinners, pairing delicious culinary options with complementary wines. On Friday, April 27, guests can experience seminars offering one-of-a-kind wines paired with cheese. These seminars include one on Biodynamic Wines from a top producer in Alsace with a guest appearance by Amelie Buecher.   Another on Bordeaux features a guest appearance by Francoise Lannoye.    

Grand Wine Tastings will be held at The Village of Baytowne Wharf on Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. Wine connoisseurs and novices alike will enjoy sampling more than 600 different wines.    

New this year will be an expanded Culinary Pavilion with a Mediterranean theme, available to all guests with a paid wine festival ticket. Wine festival guests will be served cuisine from this region, including paella, cassoulet, cheeses, and other specialties. Other additions this year are special culinary and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, including Tim Creehan of Cuvee Bistro; Johnny Earles, founder of Criolla’s; Irv Miller of Jackson’s; and Jim Richard of Stinky’s Fish Camp. Scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29, these special sessions will be moderated by Julia Rutland, senior food editor of Coastal Living magazine.  

Also new for 2012 is a special Sandestin Wine Festival VIP ticket, which includes valet parking, a catered lunch by Marlin Grill, a specialty Reidel glass, a reception at the Amenities Terrace, and access to rare and distinct wines not available at the Grand Wine Tasting.  

After a full day of sampling wines and finding new favorites during the festival, guests can purchase and transport wines sampled that day.  

To best enjoy the events surrounding the Sandestin Wine Festival, guests might opt to stay at one of the many Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s beautiful units. Special rates for accommodations are available with complimentary amenities,   including tennis court time and fitness center access.   Guests are encouraged to reserve accommodations early for this year’s spectacular event. Call 866-91-BEACH or visit Beachguide.com/SandestinGolfBeachResort for rates and links to the official website for booking.  

For more information about the Sandestin Wine Festival at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, ticket prices, and other details, visit www.sandestinwinefestival.com.   For added savings, purchase tickets online prior to the event. Group discounts are also available.