Cups and Hearts Brimming Over
DCWAF’s Harvest Wine & Food Festival raises funds for local charities
A harvest represents an abundance, and in the case of the ninth annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival occurring Oct. 16-19, this equates to a bounty of culinary creations, libations, and funds raised for the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF).
This four-day fall festival includes intimate wine dinners, The Grand Tasting, a boozy brunch series, and plenty of opportunities to delve into the fine wine-and-dine world.
A ticket to any event over the weekend will benefit DCWAF’s 16 local children’s charities, which support a range of needs impacting children and families, including medical care, mental health, food insecurity, homelessness, and more. Additionally, throughout the weekend, a virtual auction will take place, with all proceeds benefiting the designated charities.
The festivities begin on Thursday, Oct. 16, with four celebrity winemaker dinners hosted at various locations throughout South Walton. The dinners are as follows: Alpha Omega Wine Collective presented by Newman-Dailey Resort Properties at Ambrosia; Dakota Shy and Innumero Wines presented by The Agency NWFL Beaches at Cuvee 30a; Lerner Project presented by Stephen & Joan Carter at Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood; Reynolds Family Winery and Penta Tequila with Chef Tory McPhail presented by 360 Blue and Setco Services in a private WaterColor residence.
Friday evening, 250 guests will attend Harvest After Dark, an upscale event in Cerulean Park that indulges the senses with unlikely food and wine pairings created by celebrity chefs renowned throughout the Southeast.
“This is a sought-after event because it pairs high-end beautiful wines with fun, approachable foods from culinary talent both in and out of the market,” said Kate MacMillan, director of marketing and communications with DCWAF. “It’s both intimate and fun, allowing the opportunity for attendees to talk one-on-one with culinary experts and representatives from wineries.”
Saturday features another sought-after event, The Grand Tasting presented by 360 Blue, at Cerulean Park. Attendees stroll to tasting stations where they can sample hundreds of wines from around the world and indulge in provisions hosted by the finest culinary talent in the region.
For VIP guests, the VIP Tent, presented by Brad Dahler of Scenic Sotheby’s and Emerald Coast Magazine, will include additional elevated wine, beer and food options, as well as a private lounge area, cocktail bar, and live music.
The weekend will conclude with two boozy brunches hosted along 30a. Guests can choose to either ciao down at an Italian-inspired cocktail brunch with pairings curated by the Better Together Beverage team or end the weekend on a sparkling note at The Citizen in Alys Beach with brunch courses paired with sparkling and white wines.
“Every year, the festival continues to get better and better as the team continues to do a really good job of elevating the experience created for guests by fostering relationships with local talent while bringing in new, exciting talent on the culinary, wine, and beverage levels,” said MacMillan.
TO LEARN MORE AND PURCHASE TICKETS, VISIT DCWAF.ORG/HARVEST-FESTIVAL
