Cheers to a Great Cause
The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation celebrates 20 years of supporting area children with a memorable 8th Harvest Festival in the books
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) celebrates 20 years supporting children in need in Walton and Okaloosa counties. Benefiting local charities and nonprofits, DCWAF has funded over
$35 million for these efforts by hosting world-class wine and culinary events. One of the many fundraising events, Harvest Festival features multiple micro events leading up to the large finale festival with a closing brunch the last day. Partners and supporters of the foundation host patron dinners throughout the community, partnering with local and national chefs and vintners.
The eighth annual Harvest Festival last fall was hosted on a beautiful weekend at the Watercolor property in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Thursday kicked off the festival weekend with patron dinners. Friday evening featured Harvest After Dark, a new event, while the main festival took place on Saturday with a concluding brunch on Sunday.
Event goers enjoyed decadent fare and libations throughout the weekend. Emerald Coast Magazine hosted the VIP tent on Saturday as it has since the inception of the festival eight years ago. This year marked the second time the magazine co-hosted with Dahler & Co./Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty.
McKenzie Burleigh and Brad Dahler. Photo by Kiara Watson
Attendees of the sold-out VIP tent and festival were spoiled. As the sun’s rays filtered through the beautiful oak trees at Cerulean Park, a beautiful oasis with a gorgeous design of plants and peacock feathers by Fisher Flowers greeted attendees. Guests were welcomed by a glass of champagne, courtesy of 360 Blue as they entered the 30A version of a secret garden. An oversized cover of Emerald Coast Magazine featuring Chef Fleetwood Covington of Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, welcomed guests to experience the first cuisine of many throughout the tent.
Seagar’s team served seared New York strip steaks with a decadent reduction. O-Ku Alys Beach offered yellowfin tuna poke with cilantro aioli on a wonton crisp. The Henderson served a squid-ink éclair with avocado mousse, smoked salmon horseradish cream, and trout caviar. Wild Olives 30A tempted participants with an espresso-cumin rub on a lollipop lamb chop with cumin sour cream for dipping. The Salty Butcher sliced locals’ favorite, prosciutto. The Queen of Flavor satisfied everyone’s sweet tooth with apple financier with brown-butter almond cake and cascades of sabayon with apple compote with cranberry. Wine Chips were also popular.
Harison Prentice. Photo by Kiara Watson
Harrison Prentice, a local favorite who is becoming internationally known, sang original music including some of his 2024 released singles: God Bless The Rest, Drown, and his newest single, Friday Night Millionaire, which was released on January 3.
Guests experienced what appeared to be bottomless options of wines, cocktails from Better Together Beverages as well as tequila tasting from Penta Tequila. Exclusive and small batch wines were available, and the vintners presented personal favorites from William Cole Vineyards, Perchance Estates, Phifer Pavitt Wine, AXR Napa Valley, Gamba Vineyards & Winery, Mending Wall, Innumero Wines, Finca Ambrosia, and Senegal Estate.
VIP Attendees enjoying the entertainment and exclusive wines and cuisine. Photo by Kiara Watson
DCWAF’s largest fundraising event happens April 25-26, 2025 in partnership with the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival at Grand Boulevard. See you at the patron dinners and auction under the tent this spring. Remember to bid high and often!
