News & Press
Success Pours In from the 21st Annual Sandestin Wine Festival
Destin, Fla.– Wine lovers from far and near toasted to the excitement of red, white and bubbly at the 21st Annual Sandestin Wine Festival at Baytowne Wharf last weekend. The four-day festival brought together celebrity vintners, world-renowned wines and an array of fine cuisine, enabling wine enthusiasts to partake in more than a dozen special events.
Guests joined national and international winemakers at private dinners and presentations throughout the weekend. In addition, more than 600 wines were available for sampling during the Grand Wine Tasting presented by Trustmark Bank for the second year in a row. As an added convenience, a Retail Wine Tent housed every wine offered during the sampling for guests to purchase at special festival prices.
“The depth of wine offered at the Grand Wine Tasting presented by Trustmark Bank always makes it a popular event for wine novices and wine aficionados alike,” said Abby Jordison, festival director. “This year, we reached a new milestone from wine enthusiasts–their post-sampling purchases made for the highest single day sale ever in the Retail Wine Tent.”
But, the Sandestin Wine Festival focused on more than fun and profits. Approximately $750 thousand was raised for Children in Crisis, Inc., the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and the Sacred Heart Foundation during the special Destin Charity Wine Auction held at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The fundraising event paired award-winning wines with fine cuisine for a unique culinary experience. Auction items included rare wines, themed get-a-ways, and various wine-themed collectibles.
“We were extremely happy with the results of the charity auction,” said Jen Kolar, executive director of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. “It is fantastic to be able to combine some of the premier individuals in the wine and food industry with an event that gives back to our community.”
Dates for the 2008 festival are in the making and will be announced once they are secured. A taster’s guide and wine brochure of the wine’s featured during the 2007 event are available at www.sandestinwinefestival.com.
For more information about the 21st Annual Sandestin Wine Festival at Baytowne Wharf, visit www.sandestinwinefestival.com. To find out about other special events at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, call 850.267.8117 or go online to view the events calendar at www.baytownewharf.com.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is a 2,400-acre premier destination resort located in Northwest Florida, between Pensacola and Panama City. Sandestin invites guests to enter its world of 30 charming village neighborhoods featuring 1,450 condominiums, villas, town homes and a wide variety of hotel accommodations. The resort boasts more than seven miles of sugar-white sand beaches, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 18 swimming pools, a 98-slip marina, water sports, 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, nightclubs and bars that come alive with strolling musicians, street performers, dancing fountains and lively festivals and events. In this complete vacation world, guests can create their own, one-of-a-kind memorable experience. For more information, please visit www.sandestin.com.
Intrawest Corporation 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. Intrawest owns Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, and an interest in Abercrombie & Kent, the world leader in luxury adventure travel. 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.
