General Information

WINE | DINE | DONATE

Wine enthusiasts and aficionados, gourmets and gourmands, philanthropists and successful friends will combine talents and passions to create an unparalleled 4 day gala at the "Taste of THE Beach-Wine.Dine.Donate" November 6-9, 2008. This 4 day extravaganza will be held in the northwest Florida gulf coast, also referred to as THE beach, which is blessed with pristine white-sand beaches and emerald-colored waters. It’s also home to a world class resort community where the residents sport a casual and relaxed attitude but are obsessed with great wine, great food, and philanthropy.

Emerald Grande VIP Reception

VIP Reception

THURSDAY | November 6, 2008
VIP Reception at the Emerald Grande on the Destin harbor for celebrity vintners, chefs and other VIPs.

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Captain's Deck

Patron packages are available and include 2 tickets to each "Taste of THE Beach" event including the VIP Reception and a Winemaker & Shaker's Dinner at the restaurant of your choice.

The Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Villages is one of the newest resort properties along the Gulf Coast. This full-service luxury resort offers exceptional amenities topped with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico, Bay and Destin Harbor. Located at HarborWalk Village, the area’s only waterfront shopping village, Emerald Grande is truly the entryway to the finest dining, shopping and water activities the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast has to offer. With generously sized residences, the resort offers ideal accommodations for the entire family.

Pier Park

International Wine & Food Experience

FRIDAY | November 7, 2008
Enjoy wine and food on an international stroll through North America, South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand at the all-new Pier Park in Panama City Beach at the International Wine & Food Experience. Sample wine and food paired together at four pavilions as you enjoy live entertainment.

5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | $60.00 per person - Purchase Tickets

ENJOY THESE AND OTHER FINE WINES AT THIS EVENT:
Stag's Leap | Gaja | Mer Soleil | Caymus Conundrum | La Planeta | Bruno Giacosa | Clos du Val | Veuve Clicquot

The newly developed Pier Park is a 900,000 square foot retail and entertainment lifestyle center located on 93 acres stretching from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to U.S. 98 (Back Beach Road). Pier Park is already home to nearly 100 retail stores and 6 anchor stores, with more opening each week!

Telluride Mountain Film

Telluride MountainFilm

FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT | November 7 & 8, 2008
Mountain Film Festival celebrates the best in independent thinking – where adventure is celebrated, history is important, and people are passionate about what they believe. It attracts an audience seeking a culturally rich, conversation-inspiring experience in which to discuss films, share ideas and be inspired, all under a dramatic canopy of stars. By being a part of the “Taste of THE Beach”, participants will have the opportunity to pair incredible wines with incredible film in an incredible setting and present an even greater event for all to enjoy.

Showtimes are 7-10 pm and gates open at 6 pm. $25 per person for one night and $40 per person for two nights;
kids 5-12 are 50% off, and free to children under five.

Francis Coppola Wines will be served at this event.

Located on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, WaterColor is a celebrated coastal resort and residential town eases into its natural surrounding with a uniquely Southern simplicity and grace. It cultivates a true sense of place that is timeless, authentic and welcoming for everyone.

Classic Southern homesteads stand beneath a clear blue sky, amid more than 499 acres of thoughtfully planned neighborhoods, parks and trails situated between the Gulf of Mexico and a natural 220-acre coastal dune lake. Featuring nearly 1,200 homes and homesites, as well as a 60-room boutique inn honored as the region’s only AAA Four Diamond hotel, WaterColor offers a vibrant and colorful collection of the area’s best amenities, activities and services.

Seeing Red Wine Festival Seaside

Seeing Red Wine Festival

SATURDAY | November 8, 2008
Join us for an intimate afternoon of wine, food and music in the tranquil beauty of Seaside, Florida. As you explore, sample and expand your knowledge of the latest in trends in wine from aficionados who are willing to meet and educate you. You will also sample some of the most superb hors d'oeuvres prepared by regional chefs. Be sure to bring your wish list for the extensive retail wine tent.

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | $100 per ticket - Purchase Tickets

ENJOY THESE AND OTHER FINE WINES AT THIS EVENT:
Hundred Acre | Caymus | Stag’s Leap | Gaja | Beringer Private Reserve | BV Georges de Latour | Veuve Clicquot | Roederer

Just imagine enjoying a comfortable afternoon sampling a wide variety of wines in the scenic holiday town of Seaside, Florida. This 80-acre haven on a half mile of sugar white beach is a place like no other, yet with elements of every classic American beach town. Accommodations include more than 250 rental cottages behind white picket fences that line brick streets. In addition to the award-winning beach, amenities include three swimming pools, six tennis courts, event space, fitness center, plus more than 50 specialty retail shops and dining options.

Special event packages are available in the famed coastal community of Seaside, Florida. For more about Seaside visit SeasideFL.com or to review an idyllic collection of accommodations visit CottageRentalAgency.com.

Winemaker & Shaker's Dinners

“Winemaker & Shaker's” Dinners

SATURDAY | November 8, 2008
“Winemaker & Shaker’s” Dinners will be held in the area’s finest restaurants along the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast. Celebrity vintners will be paired with a spectacular chef at each of these locations to create an unforgettable evening.

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | $150 per ticket - Purchase Tickets

In addition to the exciting series of events taking place at “Taste of THE Beach-Wine.Dine.Donate”, attendees get the opportunity to take part in the Winemaker & Shaker’s Dinners taking place at participating fine dining restaurants along the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast.

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:

For Dinner Menus, Click here.
Commander’s Palace | FireFly | Fish Out of Water | Flemings SteakHouse and Wine Bar | Seagar’s

Rosemary Jazz Brunch

SUNDAY | November 9, 2008
The Rosemary Jazz Brunch blends premium wines, gourmet food and Gulf Coast culture into a sophisticated, educational, and entertaining event. Brunch with champagne, light wines and the Green Hit Band on a tranquil day as you take in the sights of beautiful Rosemary Beach.

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | $35 per person - Purchase Tickets

ENJOY THESE AND OTHER FINE WINES AT THIS EVENT:
Vueve Clicquot | Moet and Chandon | Ruinart | Roederer

On Scenic Highway 30-A, a stretch of incomparable beach has for years lured beach-lovers to its sparkling, white sand and crystal-clear water. Now, among the protected dunes of this perfect beach, a thriving town has emerged.

Rosemary Beach was designed to incorporate traditions of both classic small towns and beach-side living. Here you can catch sight of shapes and silhouettes that call to mind St. Augustine, the West Indies, New Orleans and Charleston. Yet Rosemary Beach’s character is uniquely its own, established through its careful arrangement of public and private spaces. Each “street” – which in Rosemary Beach means a pedestrian lane, footpath or boardwalk – takes you to a public square, plaza, park or the beach. No need for a vehicle. Quaint restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops, tennis courts, swimming pools and the beach are all just a five-minute stroll away.

Rosemary Jazz Brunch

Taste of THE Beach & Charity Auction

SUNDAY | November 9, 2008
Taste of THE Beach & Charity Auction at the luxurious Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. Guests will be treated to distinctive wines from internationally acclaimed vintners, poured and paired with fine cuisine created by a selection of the area’s top restaurants. While wining and dining, attendees will enjoy live music and the excitement of a silent auction. The night will culminate with a high-energy and entertaining live auction that will include rare and distinctive wines, themed get-a-ways and other spectacular, one-of-a-kind items.

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | $50 per person or $75 per couple - Purchase Tickets

ENJOY THESE AND OTHER FINE WINES AT THIS EVENT:
Caymus | Gaja | BV Georges de Latour | Beringer Private Reserve

Located along the sugar-white sands and emerald-green waters of Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, The 600-room Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa is the destination resort of choice for beach-loving vacationers. The hotel also has a spa, salon and fitness center and several dining options including the area’s first AAA Four Diamond restaurant, Seagar’s. With other onsite amenities including easy access to shopping, fishing and area attractions, virtually everyone will find this resort hotel a dream escape.

VIP Ticket Information

*Patron's Package
Includes two tickets into 7 Taste of THE Beach events November 6-9, 2008 for $1,000