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Florida Sandestin Wine Festival

Wild Wines and Good Times

By Madelyn Miller

You have to love a wine festival where they sell bottles of vino labeled OLD FART, and HOT MAMAS alongside the champagne and scarce wine.

And obviously, people do. The seventeen-year-old event is sold-out soon after dates are announced and people leave with cases of wine like hibernating bears that are waiting for the next season. The bargains in the wine tent make serious wine drinkers giddy with joy. And the case prices save them enough to easily pay for their trip. A rule of thumb could be that the more you buy, the longer you can afford to stay.

Actually, as a compulsive food and wine festival attender, I was very impressed by the reasonable prices for the events. The opening event on Thursday night at the Elephant Walk was a five-course dinner that was a bargain at $85 even if it had not included the wonderful wines.

The Friday night event, a silent Auction and taste around circling the pool on top of the Elephant Walk ($100) was timed to coincide with a glorious sunset on the beach. Although the crowd moved easily from station to station, to wine pouring to more wine pouring, to the silent auction tables, I perched myself on the deck above to enjoy the sunset, water and view in addition to the gourmet food and wine. A heavenly evening. And since the music was a little too loud, a few savvy bidders got great deals on trips to Nappa and a wine storage unit donated by Viking.

It is a strange site to see wine eventers sharing the tram with families taking their kids down to the white sand beach. Everyone is smiling, and either pink from time in the sun or flushed from tasting wines from fifty vineyards.

And no matter why they came to Sandestin, everyone seems to be having a great time.

I sure did

SANDESTIN WINE FESTIVAL FACTS

Sandestin´s annual Wine Festival dates back to 1987 when Chan Cox, then a sales manager for a wholesale distributor in South Walton County, Fla. received news that a renowned leader in the wine industry, Peter Mondavi, Jr., was to visit the area.  Inspired by the news of Mondavi´s visit, Cox, now owner of Chan´s Market Café at The Market Shops at Sandestin and Chan’s Wine World, approached Keith Howard at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort about hosting a wine festival.  Over the years, the Wine Festival has continuously grown in popularity with 2003’s Festival being no exception.

"At Sandestin, wine is a way of life. The entire Gulf Coast area has a very deep knowledge of and appreciation for wine. That is why our wine events do so well. It's no surprise that wine and Sandestin are a great marriage,” said Cox. “The people who seek out a destination such as Sandestin appreciate the finer things in life and love a sense of celebration -- having a love of wine is no different. The Sandestin Wine Festival is really a pinnacle event for wine lovers -- it combines many like elements -- fine wine, excellent cuisine, great art, gracious Southern hospitality, and, of course, good old-fashioned fun."

Cox’s vision – to create a gathering that would serve to introduce new wines to the region, and offer wine enthusiasts the opportunity to taste and purchase hundreds of wines in one location -- soon became a reality.

After 17 years, Sandestin’s annual Wine Festival lures thousands of wine enthusiasts from throughout the country and around the world.  A leading wine event that sets Northwest Florida apart as a “wine country” all its own, Sandestin’s Wine Festival has become a landmark event, establishing Destin, Fla. as the wine capital of the South.  The tasting event is such an important part of the Festival that crystal-tasting glasses are flown in from Germany and etched to commemorate each year’s event.

 In addition to tastings, wines are judged and awarded.  Wines are divided into 30 categories by varietal, style and price.  The top three wines from each of the categories are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals.  Once the judging is complete, only 90 wines are selected as the “best of the best”.  In year’s past, judges have included collectors, restaurateurs, wine merchants, wine columnists, winemakers and novices from around the country.  The evaluation and judging process has also evolved over time, and today includes a point system based on color, clarity, aroma, bouquet, balance, varietal intensity, flavor, body and overall quality.

The 18th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival is scheduled for April 22-25, 2004 and hopes to continue its popularity as one of Sandestin’s signature events. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, which has offered the best of the best in Southern hospitality and style over its 30-year history, has continued to promote unique culinary experiences and feature fine wines and food at the resort.  In August 2002, Sandestin opened The Village of Baytowne Wharf, which features Bijoux Bistro and Seagrapes Wine Cave.  In addition, Sandestin and its merchants host various wine tastings and seminars throughout the year. 

BEST BETS FOR FOODIES

Located at the crossroads of so many of the South's leading cities, Sandestin shares an appreciation for classic and contemporary Southern-inspired cooking, having made a name for itself with its famous annual Gumbo Cook-Off held each January. Open to all throughout the Fort Walton Beach area, Sandestin's own Sunset Bay Café gumbo recipe has received its share of awards. Throughout the resort's newly-opened Village of Baytowne Wharf, guests can enjoy many other Southern favorites -- from the top-rated Jim 'N Nick's BBQ - a Birmingham favorite with a new location at the resort's Village; New Orleans-inspired Poppy's Seafood Factory; Bistro Bijoux, an intimate bistro where fine wine is paired with flavorful cuisine; and The Marlin Grill, a high-end restaurant known for its wood-grilled dishes.

For those food enthusiasts who want to get in on the action, Sandestin also presents a menu of cooking instruction events and wine tastings ideal for tantalizing palates throughout the year. In addition to its annual wine festival, famed restaurants at Sandestin such as Chan's Market Café plan not-to-be-missed food and wine tastings year-round. Chan's is also preparing to introduce wine instruction with the addition of their new wine shop. French, Italian and Mexican cooking classes along with courses in comfort foods and seasonal dishes are among the instruction courses presented by celebrity chefs at Kitchenique, located within The Market Shops at Sandestin.

Across the property at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, the food learning continues at Gerard's Cookery & Cajun Market, which offers an ongoing series of live cooking classes with a counter that seats a hungry audience ready to taste the spectacular results of the day's lesson. Also, the Village's Bistro Bijoux & Seagrapes Fine Wines, hope to educate and interest their customers throughout the year, as proprietors Mike and Gayle Pair host in-store food and wine sampling events at the Seagrapes wine cave. Featuring guest chefs from around the country, the events help teach customers about wine selection and how to cook with wine. Another event the wine cave will institute is a "Chef's Table in the Cellar" reserved in advance for parties of eight to ten, emphasizing reserve wines paired with select menu items.

IF YOU CAN’T GET THERE FOR THE WINE FESTIVAL

The people at Sandestin sure know how to party and play and please palates. You  might want to consider one of the other fun festivals.

There are 365 reasons to visit Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and its new 28-acre, pedestrian-friendly Village of Baytowne Wharf in 2003, where there are activities for each member of the family year round. Add one more reason to the list – Sandestin celebrates its 30th anniversary.

This year Sandestin has two grand opening celebrations.. Scheduled to open in Summer 2003 is the Baytowne Conference Center, a new meetings facility, featuring The Magnolia Ballroom – the largest ballroom in Northwest Florida.  The new conference center will add 32,000 square feet of new meeting space to the resort, almost doubling its current available meeting space and expanding Sandestin’s overall offerings to meetings/incentive planners. 

 Summer 2003 also marks the opening of The Grand Sandestin, a luxury, 168-unit, condominium hotel that will be adjacent to the Village and the conference center. The Grand Sandestin will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury suites, a sweeping two-story veranda, bay views and lush formal gardens.  Designed with an Old South, gracious, plantation-style feel, The Grand Sandestin will welcome guests with a series of pools and waterfall cascades.

Known for its traditions, Sandestin is bringing back a series of events for the year.   Among the events returning this year are the 14th Annual Great Southern Gumbo Cook-off in January, the 17th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival in April, and the 17th Annual Elephant Walk Triathlon in August – three, not-to-be-missed festivities that will make each guest’s stay memorable.

To make it easier for vacation planners to mark their calendars with activities, Sandestin has compiled a calendar list of activities for 2003:

May – The nationally acclaimed ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival will make its home in The Village of Baytowne Wharf on May 9-11. Stroll through the pedestrian-friendly streets of the Village as you enjoy incredible artwork from around the country, as well as wonderful food and music. 

Savor the flavor of summer and make the weekend “memorable” at Sandestin’s Memorial Day Weekend Crab Fest on May 23 and 24 with nightly crab specials from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., live music and children’s activities.

June/July/August – Summer heats up with the Picnics in Paradise Summer Concert Series featuring free concerts on Thursday nights from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Market Shops.

The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin, the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast’s newest entry onto the world stage of premier marlin tournaments, makes its debut June 18-22 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.  This $300,000 (based on 75 boats) World Billfish Series-sanctioned event gives serious angling teams their shot at winning a royal pay-off while receiving the royal treatment from the event hosts and sponsors.

For those with a craving for seafood, the Shrimp Fest on July 5 and 6 will offer nightly shrimp specials from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and feature live music and children’s activities all weekend long.

 On August 23, the 17th Annual Elephant Walk Triathlon will lure more than 600 participants for a half- mile Gulf of Mexico swim, a 20-mile bike along the coast, and a 4-mile run throughout Sandestin’s beach- and bayside community.

September – Wine and dine at the Lobster Fest and Cabernet & Chardonnay Shoot Out,  beginning Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 at The Market Shops at Sandestin.

October – The 10th month of the year brings shopping, winning and dining to The Market Shops at Sandestin at the annual Oktoberfest Sale-abration, Oct. 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Have a howling good time on Oct. 31 at the Halloween Hullabaloo at The Market Shops at Sandestin where the annual trick-or-treating and pumpkin decorating will broom up a storm of fun.

Jazz up the fall season with the All That Jazz, Art & Wine Fest at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Each Saturday in October, the Village will feature a different style of jazz matched with creative displays of local artwork.

The new Village of Baytowne Wharf also features tons of “treats” at its Monster Mash Baytowne Bash, where kids can trick-or-treat down Fisherman’s Cove on Oct. 31

November – Honor the sea and the Emerald Coast’s unique environment at The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Neptune Festival. Each Saturday throughout November, the Village will host educational exhibits on local and regional environmental issues.

Begin the holidays at Sandestin with the Beaujolais Nouveau Holiday Kick-off on Nov. 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Holiday Fest at The Market Shops and Nautical Christmas at the Village promise holiday fun for everyone with Dickens carolers and Santa Claus visits throughout the holiday season.

Other November holiday events include: Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet at Sunset Bay Café and Thanksgiving dinner at the Elephant Walk on Nov. 27 and the Kringle Mingle Breakfast on Nov. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. 

December – “Santa Paws” is coming to town to visit man’s best friend during Claus and Paws at The Market Shops on Dec. 6 at Sandestin from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take a picture of your pet pal with Santa and help the Humane Society. December’s holiday events include: the Sandestin Boat Parade at dusk; Christmas Brunch at the Sunset Bay Café; New Year’s Eve dinner and dancing at the Elephant Walk restaurant and fireworks over the Village.

For specific questions regarding Sandestin Special Events Calendar, call 850/267-8135.  For more information on Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, please call 866/602-8177 or visit us online at www.sandestin.com/pr.asp for details.

MY FAVORITE SANDESTIN RESTAURANTS

If I could eat all my meals at one place, it would be Poppy’s. When the waiter offered a selection of freshly caught fish, he mentioned sushi grade tuna. Since I love sushi, I asked if I could have the tuna raw, sliced for tuna.

He took the challenge and it was some of the freshest sushi I have ever had.

It was brought out with three different dipping sauces, Tabasco Pepper Butter Citrus Beurre Blanc and Sweet Ginger Soy Dipping Sauce. The chef also sent out an extra sauce, one he said they ate in the kitchen. Double yum.

Then there is the award-winning Elephant Walk Restaurant, a must for any guest at the resort. Named after the famous 1954 Hollywood movie starring Elizabeth Taylor, guests at the Elephant Walk proclaim this is a restaurant where a setting sun can change a dining experience into an event. In 2002, the resort's signature restaurant also earned a fifth consecutive DiRoNA Award from the Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA).

IF YOU CAN’T WAIT TO TRY THE DELICIOUS SANDESTIN FOOD

I have never gone nuts over a salad dressing before. I often ask for chocolate recipes, but never before have I coveted a recipe for salad dressing. Try this champagne dressing from the Sunday Brunch during the Sandestin Wine Festival and you will get a small sampling of the culinary geniuses at work here. This salad dressing is truly worth a toast.

Champagne Dressing

Recipe compliments of Executive Chef at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort,  Heem Chee

Whisk or put all ingredients in blender together for 5 minutes until emulsified

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

There are many direct flights into Fort Walton and the airport is easy to access. The only problem is, there are no porters. Even third world countries have porters. So if you are bringing wine back home by plane, be sure you have a wheely suitcase.

Leaving was the only unpleasant part of my trip. But maybe that was partly psychological.

GREAT GUIDEBOOK and COOKBOOK

FOGHORN OUTDOORS
FLORIDA BEACH
The best places to swim, play, eat and Stay
By Parke Puterbaugh and Alan Bisbort
Avalon Travel Publishing

The resort cookbook is Savoring Sandestin: Recipes and Memories from Sunrise to Sunset Fest.

It features recipes from Sandestin restaurants, eateries and homeowners.

All proceeds go to our local Sacred Heart Hospital. The cost is $29.95 plus shipping  850.267.8135

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