Seeing Red Wine Festival comes to Seaside Nov. 4-7

October 11, 2010

Four days of food and wine offerings at the 20th annual festival

The 20th anniversary celebration of the Seeing Red Wine Festival, November 4–7, features four inspiring days of private dinners, rare wines, celebrity winemakers and the Grand Tasting. The main wine tasting will feature more than 400 domestic and international wines, available for purchase at special-event pricing.

The 20th annual festival, which is again a part of the Beaches of South Walton’s Autumn Tides series of events, is one of the area’s most highly anticipated events. Decades of southern tradition in this charming beach town are complimented by a wonderful afternoon event sure to satisfy your taste for wine…and the beach! Seaside offers an extensive array of tasting tents with wines sampled from around the world and with Seaside being the host site for the retail wine tent, you are just steps away from purchasing your favorites to take home. Guests are sure to enjoy the wine, music and southern hospitality of this featured event.

While the main tasting event takes place on Saturday, November 6, there is ample opportunity to meet winemakers and enjoy exceptional wines at private events and other special functions beginning Thursday, November 4. “This event was started as a way to introduce new wines to the region and give wine enthusiasts a way to taste and immediately purchase some of the world’s best wines. This opportunity doesn’t happen very often, especially with the quality and variety of what is available at our event,” said Pam Avera, general manager of Seaside. “With the enhancement of our culinary components, we believe that our guests will enjoy their chance to be a part of a first class wine and culinary experience.”

The following is a schedule of events designed for everyone from wine novices to wine aficionados:

Thursday, November 4
Vintner’s Dinner featuring Robert Craig
7 p.m. – Bud & Alley’s
Bud & Alley’s proudly announces the annual Fall Wine Dinner, as the kick-off to the Seeing Red Wine Festival weekend. Special guest vintner is Robert Craig of Robert Craig Wines. Reservations required. (850) 231-5900. $125/person

Friday, November 5
Al Fresco Reserve Wine Tasting
6-8 p.m. – Ruskin Place Park
If you are passionate about wine, an experienced enthusiast, or an eager beginner you won’t want to miss this event in Seaside’s Ruskin Place Park. Enjoy an elegant evening sampling rare, exclusive wines paired with superb hors d’oeuvres from Chef Jim Shirley complemented by the Latin Jazz sounds of “The Guffman Trio.” Learn first hand about terroir, climate, viticulture, varietal composition and food pairings. Tickets required. To purchase tickets, visit SeeingRedWineFestival.com. $145/person

Saturday, November 6
Seeing Red Grand Tasting
1–5 p.m. – Seaside
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 about the latest trends in wine from aficionados who are waiting to meet and educate you. Guests will also sample some of the most superb hors d’oeuvres prepared by local restaurateurs. To purchase tickets, visit SeeingRedWineFestival.com. $120/person

Sunday, November 7
A Celebration of Bubbles
11 a.m. – Great Southern Café
Join the Great Southern Café for the weekend’s Grand Finale – a celebration of bubbles featuring sparkling wines from around the world-accompanied by great music and perfectly paired eats. Reservations required. (850) 231-7327. $40/person

Tickets for the Seeing Red Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 6, as well as other events, are currently available. No refunds will be given for tickets purchased. All ticket holders must be 21 years of age.

Make a weekend of it with a Seeing Red Weekend travel package. Reserve a cottage in Seaside and receive complimentary Seeing Red Wine Festival tickets as part of your package.  For more information call 866-628-0378 or visit CottageRentalAgency.com.

The Seeing Red Wine Festival is a part of the Taste of THE Beach series of events from November 4-7, throughout Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties. For more information on Taste of THE Beach, visit them online at: TasteoftheBeachFLA.com.

For more information on the 20th Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival, as well as other events at Seaside, visit us online at SeasideFL.com. You can also find additional event details by joining us on Facebook.