South Walton Taste of the Beach

3 Days of Wine, Great Food, & Frolic

Posted on 10/19/2012

Ocean Reef guests are revving up to attend the annual South Walton Taste of the Beach event that includes three fabulous days of wine, great food and frolic on November 2nd through the 4th. Besides all the fun, excellent wines and culinary masterpieces available to the party participants, this is a benefit that has raised millions of dollars for local charities since its inception. Hence the slogan "Eat, Drink & Donate." Each unique event is separate with tickets available for which ever venue appeals to you.  Multiple celebrations will be held in Miramar Beach at Sandestin and in Seaside on beautiful Scenic 30A which meanders along the crystal white beaches with vista views of the jewel toned Gulf.

The kick off begins on Friday, November 2nd at 6:00 pm and is called a Vine to Wine celebration. It will be held on the green at Grand Boulevard which is the official town center of the five star Sandestin Beach, Golf and Tennis Resort. Over 250 different wines will be served  at this wine judging competition along with culinary delights from Grand Boulevard's signature restaurants. The event will go until 8:00 pm and tickets are $50 each.

If you would rather be beachfront, another event is being held on the same evening at Finz from 7:00pm until 11:00 pm. Finz restaurant is located at Sandestin in a green topped iconic building that looks like a giant, enclosed gazebo. Open air patios look out onto the gorgeous Gulf and adjacent swimming pool. Titled Finz After Dark this event will feature a divinely decadent indulgence of exotic cuisine, flaming desserts and top shelf liquor. There will be multiple mixologists serving specialty drinks including Ketel One Vodka, Cruzen Rum, Beefeater Gin, Avion Tequila and Kahlua. The vodka will be poured through custom sculptured ice luges, the Kahlua station will be serving flamboyant desserts and the Rum station will have cigars! Even with all of this eating and drinking, there will still be time to be merry since a DJ will be providing music so that you may dance away under the stars. Tickets are $95 each.

Al Fresco Wine Tasting Event

Ruskin Place


There will be a third event the same evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Seaside called the at Ruskin Place. This venue will be held outdoors in the charming courtyard area that is adjacent to the fine art galleries located there. At this sophisticated event, guests will sip on glasses of fine reserve wines while listening to live chamber music. Sushi and hors d oeuvres' prepared by noted local Chef Jim Shirley will be served to the lucky participants. Tickets are $165 per person.

On Saturday, November 3rd the festivities will continue at Seaside from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. This is usually one of the largest events held during the Taste of the Beach and is titled the Seeing Red Wine Festival. It will be held on the village green of the Americana, picture perfect town of Seaside so there will be a picnic style atmosphere. Lots of red domestic and international wines will be served and there is a big pavilion set up for delicious dining. Live musical entertainment will provide the merriment. Tickets are $120 per person.

The grand finale of Taste of the Beach will be held on Sunday, November 4th at the Sandestin Hilton Hotel which sits right on the Gulf. This event will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Cocktails, wine and special appetizers will be served while guests view items to bid on at a Silent Auction. Fabulous "prizes" have been donated from the community for this auction so expect to be captivated.

All proceeds from this event go to the worthy, local charities most of which aid children. They include Children in Crisis, Children's Volunteer Health Network, Emerald Coast Autism Center, Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center, Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, Habitat for Humanity in Walton County, Horizons, Pathways for Change, Sacred Heart Hospital, The Shelter House and Youth Village.

Tickets will go fast and if you want to participate in any of these fun activities and donate to a noble cause visit tasteofthebeachfl.com  Here at Ocean Reef we are pleased to be able to accommodate you and yours at a number of fine, distinctive vacation rental properties in Miramar Beach, Sandestin and down along Scenic 30A in South Walton. If you decide to attend one of these events be sure to "eat, drink and be merry" but also be safe. Know also that your donations will be gratefully received to aid countless children and others who need your help.

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Pelican Place is perched among groves of live oak trees in Seagrove Beach, which is the longest established beachfront community along Scenic 30A in South Walton. This three bedroom vacation home can sleep up to 11 happy beach-going guests. It is just a short stroll away from the beautiful beach (with no major roads to cross) and comes with a large
Pelican Place
3 BR
3 BA
11 Guests
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