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Craft Beer and Spirits Jam

CRAFT BEER & SPIRITS JAM PRESENTS POPULAR CRAFT BREWERIES, MASTER DISTILLERS AND HEADLINER GURUFISH

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Part of the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, The Craft Beer & Spirits Jam will be held Friday, April 27 at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin

Miramar Beach, Fla. (April 18, 2018) – As part of the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, April 26 – 29, the Craft Beer & Spirits Jam will welcome some of the most recognized master distillers in the nation and celebrate the region’s diverse offering of craft beer. On Friday, April 27, Grand Boulevard’s Town Center will be transformed into a festival and live music venue with samples of the most coveted spirits and brews.

“We have been overwhelmed by the success of the Craft Beer & Spirits Jam, which has grown in popularity each year,” said Festival Executive Director Stacey Brady. “We strive to keep this event fresh and fun. Whether you’re new to the area, a regular visitor or long-time resident, we continue to infuse new elements and offerings to surprise and delight our attendees.”

Highlights of this year’s lively evening event include celebrity guest appearances by some of the spirits industry’s most elite, including Master Distiller Rob Samuels of Maker’s Mark, Michael Reed of American Barrels, and Master Distiller David Pickerell of WhistlePig Farm Distillery and Hillrock Estate Distillery, to name a few. Samuels is the COO and grandson of the founders of Maker’s Mark and has grown up in the family business. He’ll be sharing stories of his family’s rich bourbon history while pouring samples of some of their most popular brands, including White Dog (unaged bourbon), Maker’s Mark, and Maker’s 46. In addition, Master Distiller Dave Pickerell of WhistlePig is a luminary in the world of whiskey. Pickerell spent 14 years at Maker’s Mark before joining WhistlePig, where he’s distilling rye whiskey through a process he coined “triple terroir.” The result is a premium rye whiskey that is earning the praise of writers at Robb Report, Forbes, GQ and Whisky as well as whiskey enthusiasts nationwide.

Attendees who enjoy craft beer will delight in sampling some of the signature brews as well as seasonal and specialty beers. Local and regional breweries will be represented, including Abita Brewing Company, Sweetwater Brewing Company, New Belgian, Idyll Hounds, Grayton Beer Company, Destin Brewery, and Nivol, among many others.

Along EATS Street, guests will be able to nibble on a smorgasbord of savory small plate menu items prepared by a range of award-winning restaurants, eateries and food trucks. On the menu are small plates prepared by local favorites, including Roux 30A, Cantina Laredo Modern Mexican Food, Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House, Cabana Café, Café Rico, Cuveé Kitchen & Wine Bar, Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer, Jackacuda’s Seafood & Sushi, The Bistro at the Courtyard Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard and The Craft Bar.

All the delicious samples will be complemented by a live performance from Gurufish. This wildly popular band is renowned for their funk/pop explosion with an extra touch of glam. Combining unforgettable melodies fused with galvanizing grooves, Gurufish creates songs that make audiences want to groove. Listed by PASTE Magazine as one of the “25 Georgia Bands You Should Listen to Now”, as well as honored with the distinction of being recognized by the GA Music Awards as the Georgia’s Best R’nB/Funk Band, Gurufish will provide the “jam” while attendees sample the diverse offering of beer, spirits and delectable bites.

The South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is a four-day celebration of wine and includes two days of Grand Tastings, seminars, Savor South Walton Culinary Village, live entertainment and more than 800 wines poured by knowledgeable wine industry insiders. Guests can gain access to all events with a 3-day VIP pass, which includes VIP valet parking, access to the VIP Lounge at the Foster Gallery (air-condition and catered), express entry and preferred seating at seminars.

Tickets are now on sale. Event details and tickets are available at www.sowalwine.com. To purchase tickets, visit https://sowal-wine.xorbia.com/.

Presented by Wine Enthusiast Media, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and Visit South Walton, the festival offers the ideal backdrop for a beach getaway. The Festival is made possible by the generous support of the following Founding Partners: Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, 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. ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals is the official lodging partner of the festival. Publix Super Market returns as Community Sponsor, presenting the Publix Pavilion of delicious foods.

Special Contribution to 30a Food & Wine from South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival

NEW ROSÉ ALL DAY GARDEN ANNOUNCED FOR 2018 SOUTH WALTON BEACHES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

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Special Contribution to 30a Food & Wine

New events, culinary delights and featured winemakers and seminars bring fresh approach to 2018 event

Miramar Beach, Fla. (February 27, 2018) – America’s most renowned wine and food festivals have four main ingredients—celebrity winemakers, top culinary talent, thought-provoking tasting seminars, and elements that highlight and celebrate current trends. The South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, April 26 – 29, combines these elements to create the ultimate wine weekend in Northwest Florida. Held in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin’s Town Center, the 2018 South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will feature a dazzling roster of celebrity winemakers, distillers, chefs, brew masters and entertainers while introducing grand new features, including the Rosé All Day Garden, provocative seminars with industry leaders and culinary masters, aiming to please every palate.

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
NEW ROSÉ ALL DAY GARDEN ANNOUNCED FOR 2018 SOUTH WALTON BEACHES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

“We’ve watched Rosés grow and grow in popularity, and wanted to replace Champagne Lane with something new,” said Chan Cox, founder of the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival and owner for Wine World. “Inspired by New York City Rosé festivals, including La Nuit en Rosé and Pinknic, we believe the Rosé All Day Garden will beautifully complement our April weather.”

Presented by ResortQuest, the Rosé All Day Garden will feature Rosés from around the globe, including Italy, Spain, France, South America and from North America, California and Oregon. The entire Grand Park will be transformed into all things Rosé. From pink décor to machines whipping out Frosé, a popular frozen drink made with Hendrix Gin and Marques De Caceres Rioja Rosé, the Garden will be blooming pink. Rosé vodka, Rosé champagne, Rosé sparkling wines and Rosé wine from domestic and international vineyards will be among the hundred different tasting options. Attendees are invited to embrace the theme by donning their favorite pink, rose or blush colored attire. A photo booth and Rosé swag from ResortQuest give guests every opportunity to see and drink pink.

“Europeans have been drinking Rosés forever. However, in the last four or five years, Americans began discovering European Rosés, which are light in color with lots of flavor yet dry,” said Chan Cox, founder of the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival and owner of Chan’s Wine World. “Dry rosés are so versatile. They go with anything and they are pleasant for warm summer enjoyment.”

Educational tasting seminars are another critical element of a world-class wine festival, and the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will once again feature highly-sought after winemakers and master distillers from around the world sharing their knowledge and love of producing fine wines and spirits.

On Saturday, April 28, Anthony and Olive Hamilton Russell of Hamilton Russell Vineyards as well as Southern Right and Ashbourne wineries will lead the first seminar beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Honoring one of the master distillers featured at the Craft Beer & Spirits Jam on Friday (4/27), Master Distiller with Maker’s Mark, Rob Samuels, will lead an educational tasting seminar on Saturday (4/28) from 2:45 – 3:30 p.m.

Among the master distillers at the 2018 Craft Beer & Spirits Jam and featured within Spirits Row at the Grand Tasting will be Master Distiller Dave Pickerell of WhistlePig.

On Sunday (4/29) from 1:30 – 2:15 p.m., Mathieu Pouchan of Salon Delamotte will lead a tasting seminar on the timeless classic, Champagne.

Oregon wine pioneer David Adelsheim’s Sunday tasting seminar will focus on the Pinot Noirs that put Oregon wines on the map. His seminar runs 2:45 – 3:30 p.m.

Finally, a grand wine festival deserves an exceptional culinary program, and the Savor South Walton Culinary Village is set to deliver delicacies that pair beautifully with the wines. Lead by the Culinary Director of Wine World’s The Wine Bar and The Craft Bar, Scott Plumley, the creative spread infuses local produce along with local meats from Heureux Beef just north of Defuniak Springs, Fla., and Coastal Blue Farms in Freeport, Fla. With distinct flavor profiles to blend acidity with bases and balance the wines, the menu includes: Alabama goat cheese fritters with San Marzano Tomato Sauce; avocado sourdough paired with marinated baby tomatoes and Aleppo pepper; Heureux Beef slider topped with aged gouda, tomato-bacon marmalade, and Coastal Blue Farms Micro Arugula; as well as Low Country Shrimp and Grits paired with Conecuh Sausage, Shellfish Nage and Collard Greens.

Award-winning cheeses will also be on the menu. Presented by Gourmet Foods International, world-renowned cheese expert and educator Michael Landis will present a sampling of the American Cheese Society’s Medal-winning cheeses.

The four-day celebration of wine also includes Craft Beer & Spirits Jam, Spirits Row, Nosh Pavilions, live entertainment and more than 800 wines poured by knowledgeable wine industry insiders.

Tickets are now on sale. Event details and tickets are available at www.sowalwine.com. To purchase tickets, visit https://sowal-wine.xorbia.com/.

Presented by Wine Enthusiast Media, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and Visit South Walton, the festival offers the ideal backdrop for a beach getaway. The Festival is made possible by the generous support of the following Founding Partners: Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, 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. ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals is the official lodging partner of the festival.

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About South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
This year’s annual South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will be held April 26-29, 2018 throughout the Town Center of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. The festival features a stunning showcase of the best wines in the world. Meet the celebrity wine producers and master distillers presenting their fine wine and spirits from around the world. The Savor South Walton Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food tasting seminars. Visit the new Rosé All Day Garden, Spirits Row and Nosh Pavilions and enjoy live entertainment throughout the weekend. The Craft Beer & Spirits Jam and Winemakers & Shakers events round out the extended festival weekend. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.SoWalWine.com.

Be sure and tag all your photos with #30afoodandwine and follow 30A Food and Wine to stay up to date on all the latest food, wine, and chef news in South Walton

SowalWine

3 for 30a – SowalWine Edition

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Story by Phil Heppding

The most anticipated wine weekend of the year is here. The South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival kicks off this weekend with new events and over 800 wines to taste. Foodies, wine connoisseurs, and craft beer enthusiasts will find events catered to their palate all weekend at the SowalWine Fest.

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The 2016 South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival will be held at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.

Friday night kicks off at 4pm with Winemakers and Shakers at Wine World in Destin. Meet and greet top winemakers in town for the festival and sample a few craft spirits as well. Tickets are still available and this event should be a fitting start to the weekend.

Head on over to Grand Boulevard at 6pm for the Craft Beer and Spirits Jam. Food, craft beer and speciality cocktails are on tap as guests get to meet the folks behind the evening’s libations. Come out and relax the night away with local favorites The Owsley Brothers providing the live entertainment. Tickets are still available for this event as well.

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Special Guest Celebrity Vintner Jeff Mausbach of TintoNegro Wines

The SowalWine party gets started on Saturday with the VIP Grand Tasting beginning at 11AM until 1PM in Grand Park at Grand Boulevard. Choose from over 800 wines, tasty bites from local chefs and kick back on Champagne Lane.

The festival also plays host to numerous wine seminars with celebrity vintners from around the world. Saturday afternoon, Jeff Mausbach of TintoNegro Wines takes the stage in the Culinary Village at 4PM. On Sunday afternoon, Christina Mariani-May joins guests from 1:30 to 2:15 on the main stage. Both vintners will be pouring wines from their selections. Remember, seating is first-come, first-serve so be a little early!

It should also be noted the the proceeds form this event benefit the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. The DCWAF is in it’s eleventh year and the auction takes place on Saturday afternoon at the festival. The event is a separate ticketed event and more information can be found by visiting the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation.

The Grand Tasting kicks off at 1PM and runs all afternoon until 5PM. Festival attendees can attend chef demos, wine seminars, and visit Spirits Row for an afternoon cocktail. Did we mention there are over 800 wines to sample???? 🙂

Sunday wraps up the event with the Grand Tasting from 1PM-5PM. Additional wine seminars, chef demos and food stations will keep everyone happy as they close out the event.

Be sure to tag your photos with #SowalWine and #30aFood and follow 30a Food and Wine on Facebook and Instagram.

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Tasting Triumph

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Story by Sarah Murphy Robertson

South Walton hosted a diversely rich and exceptional experience this weekend as both visitors and locals were drawn to one of our area’s premiere events. The 2015 South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival virtually overflowed with culinary camaraderie, education, philanthropic feats, and let’s not forget the fantastic wine and food themselves!


To wine aficionados and novices alike, the wine celebrities at this year’s festival were magnetic. With knowledge, grace, and enthusiasm in spades, both Marc Perrin and Jean-Charles Boisset charmed the crowds and brought a level of sophistication and expertise to the event. Several unique seminars were offered Saturday and Sunday, much to the delight of true wine enthusiasts. The thought-provoking sessions touched upon the art of family wine making, cheese and wine pairings, comparing wines from two sides of the world: France and California, and bonus discussions highlighting craft scotch and bourbon production and distillery.


The festival’s lively, joyful music erupting from a talented Nashville Songwriters showcase definitely set the stage, so to speak. The rain stayed away and guests were gifted cool gulf breezes as they sipped, chatted, and tapped their toes to the melodies. The resulting vibe was carefree and jovial; with everyone in high spirits.


Established in 2005, the tenth annual Destin Charity Wine Auction dinner Saturday evening was the crown jewel of this amazing weekend. With aspirations of reaching the coveted milestone of ten million dollars in this tenth year, hardworking organizers and volunteers went above and beyond to ensure the event was flawless. Guests were energetic and engaged in the cause of supporting 14 children’s charities and within a few short hours over $2.3 Million was raised! Trips to famed French wineries or the stunning British Virgin Islands, one of a kind artwork, and case lots of rare wine were auctioned off to this dynamic and dedicated crowd. The atmosphere was aglow with smiles, cheers, music and confetti. It was a night of achievement for all the generous benefactors and the resulting benefiting kids in need.


Of course among all this positive energy wine and spirits poured from nearly one hundred vendors. Guests enjoyed exquisite sips from every varietal and regional imaginable. Champagne Lane was appropriately effervescent and the Savor South Walton Tasting Village housed food vendors providing delicious tastes of treats such as expertly crafted sushi, creamy roasted duck risotto, and peppery arugula and fresh parmesan salad.

The weekend was a memorable experience for anyone involved and as the French would say of a wildly successful endeavor, this year’s South Walton Wine and Food Festival was a true “Tour de Force!”

Photography and Video by Phil Heppding