Cups and Hearts Brimming Over

A harvest represents an abundance, and in the case of the eighth annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival occurring Oct. 17–20, this equates to a bounty of culinary creations, libations and funds raised for the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF).

This four-day fall festival includes intimate wine dinners, The Grand Tasting, a cocktail brunch and plenty of opportunities to delve into the fine wine-and-dine world.

A ticket to any event over the weekend will benefit DCWAF’s 17 local children’s charities, which support a range of needs impacting children and families, including medical care, mental health, food insecurity, homelessness and more. Additionally, throughout the weekend, a virtual auction will take place, with all proceeds benefiting the designated charities.

The festivities begin on Thursday, Oct. 17, with five celebrity winemaker dinners hosted at various locations throughout South Walton. The dinners are as follows: AXR Napa Valley at Fonville Press, presented by First National Bank; Gamba Vineyards & Winery at Wild Olives, presented by Carol and Carter Zorn; Mending Wall Winery and Phifer Pavitt at Vin’tij Food & Wine, presented by the Powell Family; Perchance Estates at Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood presented by Stephen and Joan Carter; and William Cole Vineyards in a private WaterColor Residence presented by Setco Services.

Friday evening, 250 guests will attend Harvest After Dark, an upscale event in Cerulean Park that indulges the senses with unlikely food and wine pairings created by celebrity chefs renowned throughout the Southeast.

“This is a sought-after event because it pairs high-end beautiful wines with fun, approachable foods from culinary talent both in and out of the market,” said Kate MacMillan, director of marketing and communications with DCWAF. “It’s both intimate and fun, allowing the opportunity for attendees to talk one-on-one with culinary experts and representatives from wineries.”

Saturday features another sought-after event, The Grand Tasting, at Cerulean Park. Attendees stroll to tasting stations where they can sample hundreds of wines from around the world and nosh on provisions hosted by the finest culinary talent in the region.

For VIP guests, the VIP Tent, presented by Brad Dahler of Scenic Sotheby’s and Emerald Coast Magazine, will include additional elevated wine, beer and food options, as well as a private lounge area, cocktail bar and live music.

The weekend will conclude with a Parisian-inspired cocktail brunch presented by Driftwood Wine & Spirits. Kristen Hall, a French-trained chef and pastry chef based out of Birmingham, will provide the menu, paired with crafted cocktails by Better Together Beverage.

“Every year, the festival continues to get better and better as the team continues to do a really good job of elevating the experience created for guests by fostering relationships with local talent while bringing in new, exciting talent on the culinary, wine and beverage levels,” said MacMillan.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit DCWAF.org/harvest-festival.