wine world

April 26, 2022

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival: Cheers to 10 years!

Celebration returns to streets of Grand Boulevard after two-year hiatus

By Michelle Farnham
April 24, 2023

MIRAMAR BEACH – Like a fine wine aging in the cellar, South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival organizers had an extra two years to plan and improve the 10th annual celebration. The speed with which tickets sold out for the 2022 event showed just how ready people were to pop the cork!

Friday fun

Friday night’s Craft Beer & Spirits Jam April 22 welcomed guests to the streets of Grand Boulevard with 71 booths of beer, booze and bites from near and far. Roux 30A plated pork shank crepes, crawfish beignets came from Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster Bar, and smoked wings from the upcoming Beach Camp Brew Pub.

New this year, the Golden Shaker Award competition pitted 13 Panhandle bartenders against one another. In the gin category, Justin Wilson of Down Island Gulf Seafood took the prize with his drink, The Rite of Spring, featuring Bluecoat American Dry Gin. Representing the tequila division, Corey Jordan of Shades Bar & Grill brought the prize with The Terroir, made with Tequila Ocho Plata.

The big winner of the night was Michael Jones representing Craft Bar, who captured Best Whiskey Cocktail, Best of Show and the People’s Choice Award with his original concoction. Widow Jane Applewood Rye was paired with a cardamom apricot jam, lemon juice, orange peel simple syrup, and aquafaba, sprayed with pear brandy.

“I opened up my fridge to find out what I was going to do and the apricot jam was right there,” Jones said of his initial inspiration. “People know we’re Craft Bar and we make wonderful cocktails, and this is an opportunity for us to show we’re in the forefront.”

Up for consideration from Marchesi Antinori was the Chianti Classico Peppoli 2019.

Saturday sampling

The party started at 1 p.m. with the opening of 600 bottles of wine, assorted beer and spirits, Eats Street, the Minuty Rosé Tent, and the Culinary Village hosted by Wine World Restaurants’ culinary director, Chef Scott Plumley.

Under the big tent, Plumley presented lamb ragout with polenta, rock shrimp with spring pea risotto, and chocolate espresso panna cotta with caramel crunch, to name just a few.

Those wanting to take a deeper dive could enjoy two tasting seminars, starting with “Taste of Santa Barbara” with Brewer-Clifton and Cambria wines, led by Greg Brewer and Jill Russell, alongside cheese pairings from Nathan Aldridge of the Institut Du Fromage.

Later in the day, eighth-generation Beam distiller Freddie Noe Jr. presented the rich history of his family’s whiskey legacy, while offering pours from Knob Creek and Basil Hayden.

Champagne — Philippe Andre and Oyku Saran discussed champagne, including the ideal glass size.

Sunday sunshine

Those ready to do it all again Sunday were treated to a fresh lineup of seminars, kicked off by “Bubbles, Bubbles & More Bubbles” with Philippe Andre and Oyku Saran.

Among the four champagne pours, guests were able to taste the Rare Millésime 2008 Infinite, which retails for $211.99 at 97 points.

“We’re only importing about 2,000 cases of this per year,” Andre admitted. “This is a blend of pinot noir and chardonnay grapes only. It is the epitome of rare.”

Window Jane bourbon — Life is good with limited-release Widow Jane bourbon in your glass!

To close out the weekend, Lisa Wicker, head distiller of Widow Jane Distillery, held a meet-and-greet while offering samples of their 10- and 15-year bourbons, the latter of which retails for $225.

She explained her love of experimentation and blending, including the use of toasted applewood staves sourced from Minnesota.

“I’ve found if you use a flowering treewood, it will come across with those floral notes: cherry blossom, apple blossom,” she explained. “This product has taken off for us, and we sold out at the retail tent in a couple hours after the cocktail event Friday!”

To complete the sensory experience, the Nashville Songwriters Showcase played the main stage Saturday and Sunday as part of the Sunshine Tour.

The 11th South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is scheduled for April 27 to 30, 2023.

Photos by Michelle Farnham

Weekend in photos

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival

Lisa Wicker of Widow Jane Distillery talks bourbon during the tasting seminar.

Crawfish beignets from Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House.

Santa Rosa Beach newcomer Down Island Gulf Seafood Restaurant offered a ceviche with gulf snapper, sweet potatoes and fried plantains.

November 24, 2017

Day 1 Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway.

Blog, Home Page Blog

Happy Black Friday everyone!!!

This year marks the first annual Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway from the team here at 30afoodandwine.com.

We’ll bring you 12 things to cover your gift buying needs for the foodie and wine lover on your list. Want to win the whole bag of Santa’s goodies? Make sure you register each day to win. You can enter here:

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For rules of the contest be sure and check out our recent article announcing the contest.

First up on our list is a stocking stuffer for the wine lover on your list. Clinton’s Napa Kitchen, a new wine from Chan Cox, owner of Wine World, is currently available at Wine World stores throughout Northwest Florida. We recommend adding both the red blend and Cabernet Sauvignon to your must haves this holiday season.

A recent press release from the Destin Charity Wine Auction had this to say:

“Of course, this is a special wine for many reasons, but I think for customers what will stand out is the value. This is Howell Mountain fruit; Napa wine drinkers know the incredible quality of wine that comes from that appellation, but it’s all very expensive – often hundreds of dollars per bottle. Clinton’s has that same character without the price tag,” said Owner of Wine World, Chan Cox.

The red blend and Cabernet Sauvignon sell for $24.99 and $29.99 respectively. For every bottle of Clinton’s Napa Kitchen sold, $2 will be donated to Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. These proceeds collected from Clinton’s sales will be allocated directly to Pathways for Change, one of fifteen different children’s charities DCWAF supports each year.

“The team at Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation is so thankful for the continual support from our friends at Wine World. Their generosity is critical to the success of our organization, to Pathways for Change, and to the other charities we support,” said DCWAF President John Russell.

Once the line is sold out at 5,000 bottles, it will have raised $10,000 for the charity. Anyone interested in drinking wine for a good cause can find Clinton’s Napa Kitchen exclusively at Wine World stores and restaurants, and online at chanswineworld.com. Wine lovers can also contribute to DCWAF’s mission while attending one of the organization’s world class wine & culinary events.

So make sure you pick up a bottle of Clinton’s Napa Kitchen. We are giving away a bottle of each one – the red blend and the Cabernet Sauvignon – in the Grand Prize so be sure and register today. And don’t forget to stay tuned to 30aFoodandwine.com each day as we announce a new gift for our Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway.

So a wonderful wine that also has a direct impact on Children’s Charities in Northwest Florida. To purchase online, visit Wine World today.

Additional photos provided by Wine World.

December 22, 2016

Last Minute Stocking Stuffers for the Wine Lover on your list!

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Last Minute Stocking Stuffers

December 22, 2016
Story by Jordan Lacenski

Written while sipping on Hess Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

It’s the week of Christmas. You made your list, but you didn’t check it twice and now you walk into the office to find a gift from your coworker who you forgot to buy for.

Your in-laws are visiting for the holidays and you have stockings hung for each of them but the bit sized chocolates and candy canes make them look a little empty and sad compared to everyone elses.

You need to buy for the person who has everything. You’re racking your brain, you’re scrolling through the Amazon Prime offerings hoping that 2-day shipping is available for that cool pair of socks they will probably never wear.

We get it…you waited until the last minute. But don’t worry. We are here to save the day with stocking stuffer suggestions that are sure to be a hit. The best part: they are available right here on 30a.

Wine is always the best option. With a handful of wine retailers in the area, you are guaranteed to get great service and the perfect suggestion for your gift recipient. The folks at Wine World and Emerald Coast Wine Cellars truly know their inventory. They will help you navigate the taste buds of your giftee to pick the perfect bottle in your budget. From Château de Beaucastel to 30A Chardonnay by Mercer Estates, they offer wines from all over the world, so you can give the gift of the Rhone Valley or offer the new wine that’s flooding the beaches.

Wine World will ship to almost any location if you have friends and family on your list who are too far, and if they were especially nice, you can purchase a whole case, and shipping is FREE. Talk about making an impression!

If you really want to splurge, both retailers offer gift baskets, accessories, and holiday specific gift bags. From wine openers to glassware to clever wine bags, you will find everything you need to make spirits bright. Is your wine lover also fond of spirits? Check out this unique ice cube mold to cool down but not water down your whiskey. And let’s not forget about the impressive cheese offerings at Wine World. You can gift your own grand cru board to a local cheese lover. Better yet, be the hit of your Christmas party with a smorgasbord of tasty cheese, nuts, and dried fruits.

Here is a short list of five must-have items for the last few people on your list for every budget. You may just want to purchase extras because holiday shopping is stressful and you need a glass of vino too.

1. The Prisoner – such a steal at $39.99, not to mention its latest debut in the Wine Spectator Top 100.
2. Opus One – for that person you desperately need to impress, this is a splurge at $299.99 but it’s quoted as “the greatest Opus ever,” and you will certainly win over the girlfriend’s parents or the boss with this one.
3. Delamotte Champagne Rosé – because bubbles are always a hit on the holidays and rosé is still all the rage, no matter what season it is. The House of Delamotte is the fifth-oldest Champagne house in its region. Who needs dessert when you pop the top on this gift for $89.99?
4. Wine Charms – So you never grab your friends Riesling instead of your own Chardonnay again. The perfect host gift can also save the party guests from swapping glasses on accident.
5. Wine Away – because sip happens, and sometimes it’s all over your brand new party dress. Wine Away is a lifesaver…yes even for those red wine spills.

Happy gifting.

Cheers. Proost. Sláinte. Salute. Salud.

– Jordan Lacenski: Founder & Chief Innovation Officer of BrandBoss Creative