News & Press
Record Year for the 22nd Annual Sandestin Wine Festival
Destin, Fla.–May 5, 2008–Organizers of the Sandestin Wine Festival at Baytowne Wharf are savoring the success of the 22nd annual event, April 10-13. This year proved to be more popular than ever with record attendance and funds raised for charity. Wine novices and aficionados alike gathered from near and far for the four-day festival that celebrated more than 600 world-renowned international and domestic wines, celebrity vintners and an array of fine cuisine all for a good cause.
“More than 2,000 wine fans enjoyed the Grand Wine Tasting events this year,” said Cindy Good, events manager at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. “The accommodation packages were also a big hit, which allowed guests to stay close to the festival and relax while also enjoying added benefits such as a private tasting event in Tupelo Courtyard with live entertainment.”
More than a fun celebration, a portion of the Grand Wine Tasting ticket sales, donations and funds raised at the Destin Charity Wine Auction held at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort go to helping those in need. Approximately $850,000 will benefit the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Children in Crisis, Inc., Lighthouse Family Retreat and Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida this year. Destin Charity Wine Auction events featured award-winning wines from internationally acclaimed vintners paired with fine cuisine at 15 Patron Dinners, silent and live auctions, and nearly two dozen wine celebrities from California, France and Australia. Auction items included rare and distinctive wines, themed getaways and other unique, one-of-a-kind items.
“The charity auction produced incredible results this year,” said Todd Vucovich, executive director of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. “The charity auction caps another successful year for the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. The generosity from the community has been overwhelming and we are extremely grateful for the tremendous support shown by sponsors; there is no way we could do this without them.”
Vucovich also noted special thanks to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and Rob Babcock, vice president and general manager, saying “Sandestin is as big as it gets.” The conference space used for all Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation events is donated by Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
Dates for the 23rd annual Sandestin Wine Festival are set for April 23-26, 2009. The 2008 taster’s guide and wine brochure are available at www.sandestinwinefestival.com.
For more information on the 22nd Annual Sandestin Wine Festival at Baytowne Wharf, visit www.sandestinwinefestival.com.
For information on other special events at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, call 850.267.8117, or visit www.baytownewharf.com to view the events calendar.
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Media Note: For more information, contact Cindy Good, events manager at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, 850.267.8186 or cindygood@sandestin.com.
For high-resolution images, contact Ashley Chisholm, E.W. Bullock Associates, at 850.438.4015 or Ashley@ewbullock.com.
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Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is a 2,400-acre destination resort located in Northwest Florida, between Pensacola and Panama City. A member of Beaches of South Walton - a 26-mile stretch of world-famous sugar-white sands and diverse landscape in which 40 percent of the area is protected under state parks - Sandestin invites guests to enter its world of 30 charming village neighborhoods featuring 1,700 condominiums, villas, town homes and a wide variety of hotel accommodations. The resort boasts more than seven miles of beaches and pristine bayfront, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a 98-slip marina, certified children's programs, a fitness center and spa, 65,000 square feet of meeting space and a pedestrian village featuring a host of boutique shops, casual and fine dining restaurants and nightlife venues. Sandestin is part of Intrawest Hospitality Management, a world leader in operating and managing destination resorts. For more information, visit www.sandestin.com.
Intrawest ULC is a world leader in destination resorts and adventure travel. The company has interests in 10 resorts at North America's most popular mountain destinations, including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Intrawest network also includes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest-a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America. Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com.
