45 Central Wine Bar Wine Tasting Celebrates Seaside Wine Project Oct 15

To celebrate the debut of five of Seaside’s new wine varieties sporting a new label, a special wine tasting will be held at 45 Central wine bar Thursday, Oct. 15 from 5-7 p.m. The wine label features the Coleman Pavilion, the iconic obelisk beloved by Seaside guests, patrons and local community. 

Come out to this free special wine tasting held at South Walton's newest wine bar by Chef Jim Shirley. What a wonderful time of year to gather at Seaside's just completed Solomon Square, a beautiful space in front of the wine bar offering the perfect setting for wines, complimentary hors d'oeuvres, and friends. Scott Rockwood will play in the square as guests mix and mingle over fine wine and food. 

Attendees will be able to view the new wine bottles with the new labels, sure to become collector's items, and sample five of the seven varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cuvee, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Rosé will be available again in early spring as well as the Sauvignon Blanc for the first time. 

The Seaside Wine Project family of wines are available by the glass or bottle exclusively from the following Seaside merchants: Modica Market, 45 Central, The Shrimp Shack, Bud & Alley's, Great Southern Café, Amavida Coffee & Tea, Raw & Juicy and Sóng. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each bottle benefit The Seaside Institute.
 

The Seaside Wine Project will also be available during the 25th Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival, Nov. 5-8. Kokomo Winery owner and winemaker Erik Miller will be pouring and speaking about the Seaside Wine Project wines. The vineyard owner and grower, Randy Peters, will also be on hand for the first time ever to discuss the "terroir" and the importance of the relationship between grower and producer.

The entire Seaside Wine Project family of wines was hand-picked by Seaside founders Robert and Daryl Davis in response to the continual interest and demand from patrons and visitors for the best-tasting and highest-quality wines. After taste-testing numerous varieties from various wineries, the choice was made in 2014 to form a partnership with Kokomo Winery.

Robert Davis said “The partnership with Kokomo Winery is a perfect fit: The idea of Seaside began with the notion of reviving traditions deeply rooted in the history of the Florida Gulf Coast and further fulfilling the dream of a place that would maintain a high degree of quality and character seamlessly tied by a common sense of community. Similar in vision, Kokomo Winery is rediscovering and reviving traditional techniques of growing grapes locally and making wines that are deeply rooted in the terroir of  Sonoma, just as Seaside has rediscovered and revived Gulf Coast architecture and community building.”  
 

Kokomo Winery owner and winemaker Erik Miller focuses the production of his single-vineyard wines on the special characteristics and qualities from the natural terrain and the climate of Sonoma County and its distinct appellations to offer flavorful, balanced, handcrafted wines. Miller says there are no shortcuts and Kokomo leaves its thumbprint off the wine in order to showcase the fruit and flavors that are born in the vineyard. Further, he believes small production techniques and relationships with growers allow the winery to produce and offer wines that are as individual and special as the vineyards from which they were born.

Named after Miller’s hometown, Kokomo, Ind., Kokomo winery is perched on 120 acres of prime Dry Creek Valley known as Timber Crest Farms. This unique and scenic property possesses a rich history in Sonoma County dating back to the mid-1800s. With nearly 40 years of wine grape growing experience under his belt, Miller says Kokomo Winery continues to gain more 90+ ratings and gold medals with each anticipated release.