Tasting of Champions at Hilton Sandestin

South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival presents its first festival event, Tasting of Champions, on Friday, January 27 at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Guests will have an exclusive “first taste” of the medal winning wines that will be featured in the upcoming South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival,April 27-30.

“This is a great opportunity to get a preview and taste the festival wines in advance of the actual event in April. Plus, there will be about 250 medal winners just announced so it’s exciting to get to taste the judge’s favorites,” said Stacey Brady, executive director of South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival.

Prior to the event, a panel of 21 wine experts from around the country will score the 600 wines entered into the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival private wine judging competition. The judges will then select a gold, silver, and bronze medal winner in each of approximately 80 categories.

Tasting of Champions allows the public to taste all the wines entered in the competition, including “Best in Show Red” and “Best in Show White” winners. The event is structured in a walkabout format with the wines grouped by category, making it an ideal event for wine aficionados and beginners alike. In addition, the event will feature live music by Matt Lyons and light hors-d'oeuvres.

For those who would like to continue the festive evening, Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood will feature a special menu for Tasting of Champions guests and Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa is offering special room rates, starting at $129/night. To reserve a room, click here and input group code “THE.”

The event is a prelude to the 2017 Northwest Florida Beaches Ultimate Wine Week, April 27-30. Wine, charity and fun converge as the world’s most preeminent winemakers and wine enthusiasts gather for South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival and Destin Charity Wine Auction

Proceeds from Tasting of Champions as well as South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival benefit Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and children in need in Northwest Florida.  Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased at SoWalWine/tickets.

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is an annual charity event held the last weekend of April. The festival features a stunning showcase of the best wines the world has to offer. Celebrity wine producers and chefs present fine wine and food pairings from the world’s most famous appellations. The Savor South Walton Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food tasting seminars and live entertainment. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.SoWalWine.com.

South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival takes place April 27-30, 2017 at Grand Boulevard!  Tickets available now.