Harvest Wine & Food Festival Brims with Bounty
A wine and dine weekend presented by Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation
The harvest season has, for centuries, celebrated gathering in abundance — gathering of food, drink and good company. Some things remain a constant.
The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) is hosting their seventh annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival where attendees will gather in the scenic Cerulean Park setting for an abundance of culinary creations and fine wines.
The event will be held Oct. 19–22, culminating in a weekend of intimate wine dinners; a new event, Harvest After Dark; the Grand Tasting main event; and a cocktail brunch.
“The weekend has something for every wine and food lover,” said Kate MacMillan, director of marketing and communications for DCWAF. “It’s designed so you can curate an itinerary that best fits you. Whether you prefer a large-scale event like the Grand Tasting, or something more intimate, we’ve crafted a variety of events to allow our guests to customize their weekend experience.
Throughout the weekend, attendees can enter the silent auction to bid on premier wines, luxury travel packages and staycations. Proceeds from the auction and all ticket sales will benefit the 17 children’s charities that DCWAF supports. These charities support a range of needs including food insecurity, medical care and homelessness.
This year’s festival kicks off with an array of celebrity winemaker dinners to select from — including Alpha Omega Collective with chef Craig Richards in a private WaterColor residence, presented by Setco Services and 360 Blue; Domaine Della at Cuvee 30A presented by Cory & Hillary Fosdyck; Lang & Reed at Wild Olives; Phifer Pavitt at Bijoux; Roy Estate at Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, presented by Stephen and Joan Carter; and Saint Helena with Blackbird at Vin’tij Food & Wine, presented by the Powell Family.
Friday afternoon, starting at 4 p.m. a cocktail seminar conducted by Better Together Beverage will take place in Crimson Park in WaterColor. Christine Tarpey and her Better Together team will lead attendees through concocting two custom cocktails while providing interesting historical tidbits on each spirit and testing the audience’s knowledge with beverage trivia. Light bites will be included.
Friday evening welcomes a new event, Harvest After Dark, at 7 p.m. The debut event is a play on a previous festival favorite, the Al Fresco Reserve Tasting, and invites an intimate crowd to experience an evening of elevated wine selections paired with culinary delights from celebrity chefs hailing from throughout the Southeast.
Saturday brings the main Grand Tasting event where guests sample hundreds of wines from around the world and nosh on bites from stations ranging from seafood to barbecue.
To enhance the experience, indulge in a VIP ticket to the Grand Tasting’s VIP tent presented by Brad Dahler of Scenic Sotheby’s and Emerald Coast Magazine. The tent includes exclusive wine, beer and culinary options, a dedicated lounge area, a cocktail bar and live music.
The weekend of imbibing concludes with the Tiki Cocktail Brunch presented by The Henry Haus and 360 Blue. Brunch the best way possible with craft cocktails by Better Together Beverage and a tiki-themed menu cooked up by chef Nikhil Abuvala, owner of Daytrader Tiki Bar & Restaurant.
“It’s always the most beautiful weekend filled with exceptional wines and food, all hosted with the goal of making a positive impact on the lives of children in need in our local community,” said MacMillan. “We hope that lifelong memories are built and that you find a new favorite wine or chef whose restaurant you plan to visit.”
To learn more and purchase tickets, visit HarvestWineandFood.com.
