B
Barbara Ann
SoWal Guest
Tickets are on sale now for South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, taking place April 23 – April 26, 2026, at Grand Boulevard. With more than 600 quality wines, beers, and spirits to taste over four days, this annual award-winning event delivers a wine experience unparalleled among Northwest Florida wine festivals.
The 2026 festival will feature world-class wines, craft spirits and activations, an array of local food, and live entertainment throughout the extended event weekend.
The festival will kick off on Thursday, April 23 with Winemakers and Shakers held at Wine World, located at 4424 Commons Dr. E, Suite E3 in Destin. From 5-7 p.m. guests will sample local fare and sip on a variety of world-class wines poured by a multitude of winemakers and winery principles.
The VIP festival experience begins on Friday, April 24 at Grand Boulevard with the VIP Wine Tasting from 4-6 p.m. Those in attendance will have the exclusive opportunity to sample rare and collectable wines poured by celebrity guests and wine industry experts. There will also be a plethora of food options from a variety of Grand Boulevard restaurants. Those planning to attend the VIP tasting must purchase the three-day festival pass.
Bitters, Brews, and Bartenders will simultaneously take place on Friday at Grand Boulevard from 5:30-8 p.m. featuring craft beer, lite bites from local eateries, and live music for guests to enjoy under the stars. The best regional bartenders and mixologists will be serving craft cocktails made with a variety of spirits before participating in a lively competition where they will shake, stir, and pour their signature concoctions in front of a live audience and panel of celebrity judges.
“Last year’s event set a remarkable standard, and we’re excited to build upon that momentum,” said Jenny Taylor, general manager of Grand Boulevard. “The addition of live cocktail mixing will showcase the exceptional talent of our participating bartenders in a way that is both entertaining and immersive for attendees.”
Going into the weekend, the Grand Tasting takes place Saturday, April 25 at Grand Boulevard from 3-6 p.m. and on Sunday, April 26 from 1-4 p.m. World-class wineries will line the main boulevard, pouring hundreds of high-quality, diverse selections of wines from around the globe. Returning this year, the prestigious Willamette Valley Vintners Association will feature 15 of Oregon’s top wineries and winemakers.
Throughout the weekend, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the world-class wines on site at the Wine World Retail Tent offering all event products at exclusive prices. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and children in need in Northwest Florida.
In addition to the vast selection of wines from around the world, expect to meet national and international wine personalities and industry experts interacting personally with attendees. Winery owners, winemakers, and vineyard managers will be available to provide festive, entertaining, and educational commentary throughout the event.
“Our goal is to foster meaningful interactions between guests and the acclaimed professionals shaping today’s wine industry,” said Chan Cox, owner of Wine World of Northwest Florida and founding member of South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival. “The opportunity to learn from celebrated winemakers and vineyard leaders adds depth and richness to the event that truly sets it apart.”
Wine World’s Culinary Village will offer delectable pairings throughout Saturday and Sunday’s Grand Tasting with a gourmet menu inspired by Cordon Bleu Chef Max Morrison. There will also be a spread of international and American artisan cheeses and accompaniments curated by Nathan Aldridge, an American Cheese Society Certified Monger.
“Our culinary partners play an essential role in enhancing the weekend’s offerings,” Taylor said. “Their creativity and dedication bring a depth of flavor that perfectly complements the diverse wines featured throughout the event.”
Pre-sale tickets are now available for purchase online at https://www.sowalwine.com. Ticket prices will increase on January 5, 2026, and will increase once again on April 1, 2026.
Presented by Grand Boulevard and Visit South Walton, the festival offers the ideal backdrop for wine, charity, and fun along the famed South Walton beaches, named among the best beaches in the country.
South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival is made possible by the generous support of community partners and sponsors, including Coastal Accounting, Emerald Coast Magazine, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Grand Boulevard, The Howard Group, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Wine World of Northwest Florida, Vintage Sign and Lights, and Visit South Walton.
About South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is an annual charity event held the last weekend in April. The festival features a stunning showcase of some of the best wines in
the world. Celebrity wine producers and chefs present fine wine and food pairings from the world’s most famous appellations. The Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food tasting seminars. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.SoWalWine.com.
The 2026 festival will feature world-class wines, craft spirits and activations, an array of local food, and live entertainment throughout the extended event weekend.
The festival will kick off on Thursday, April 23 with Winemakers and Shakers held at Wine World, located at 4424 Commons Dr. E, Suite E3 in Destin. From 5-7 p.m. guests will sample local fare and sip on a variety of world-class wines poured by a multitude of winemakers and winery principles.
The VIP festival experience begins on Friday, April 24 at Grand Boulevard with the VIP Wine Tasting from 4-6 p.m. Those in attendance will have the exclusive opportunity to sample rare and collectable wines poured by celebrity guests and wine industry experts. There will also be a plethora of food options from a variety of Grand Boulevard restaurants. Those planning to attend the VIP tasting must purchase the three-day festival pass.
Bitters, Brews, and Bartenders will simultaneously take place on Friday at Grand Boulevard from 5:30-8 p.m. featuring craft beer, lite bites from local eateries, and live music for guests to enjoy under the stars. The best regional bartenders and mixologists will be serving craft cocktails made with a variety of spirits before participating in a lively competition where they will shake, stir, and pour their signature concoctions in front of a live audience and panel of celebrity judges.
“Last year’s event set a remarkable standard, and we’re excited to build upon that momentum,” said Jenny Taylor, general manager of Grand Boulevard. “The addition of live cocktail mixing will showcase the exceptional talent of our participating bartenders in a way that is both entertaining and immersive for attendees.”
Going into the weekend, the Grand Tasting takes place Saturday, April 25 at Grand Boulevard from 3-6 p.m. and on Sunday, April 26 from 1-4 p.m. World-class wineries will line the main boulevard, pouring hundreds of high-quality, diverse selections of wines from around the globe. Returning this year, the prestigious Willamette Valley Vintners Association will feature 15 of Oregon’s top wineries and winemakers.
Throughout the weekend, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the world-class wines on site at the Wine World Retail Tent offering all event products at exclusive prices. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and children in need in Northwest Florida.
In addition to the vast selection of wines from around the world, expect to meet national and international wine personalities and industry experts interacting personally with attendees. Winery owners, winemakers, and vineyard managers will be available to provide festive, entertaining, and educational commentary throughout the event.
“Our goal is to foster meaningful interactions between guests and the acclaimed professionals shaping today’s wine industry,” said Chan Cox, owner of Wine World of Northwest Florida and founding member of South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival. “The opportunity to learn from celebrated winemakers and vineyard leaders adds depth and richness to the event that truly sets it apart.”
Wine World’s Culinary Village will offer delectable pairings throughout Saturday and Sunday’s Grand Tasting with a gourmet menu inspired by Cordon Bleu Chef Max Morrison. There will also be a spread of international and American artisan cheeses and accompaniments curated by Nathan Aldridge, an American Cheese Society Certified Monger.
“Our culinary partners play an essential role in enhancing the weekend’s offerings,” Taylor said. “Their creativity and dedication bring a depth of flavor that perfectly complements the diverse wines featured throughout the event.”
Pre-sale tickets are now available for purchase online at https://www.sowalwine.com. Ticket prices will increase on January 5, 2026, and will increase once again on April 1, 2026.
Presented by Grand Boulevard and Visit South Walton, the festival offers the ideal backdrop for wine, charity, and fun along the famed South Walton beaches, named among the best beaches in the country.
South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival is made possible by the generous support of community partners and sponsors, including Coastal Accounting, Emerald Coast Magazine, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Grand Boulevard, The Howard Group, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Wine World of Northwest Florida, Vintage Sign and Lights, and Visit South Walton.
About South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is an annual charity event held the last weekend in April. The festival features a stunning showcase of some of the best wines in
the world. Celebrity wine producers and chefs present fine wine and food pairings from the world’s most famous appellations. The Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food tasting seminars. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.SoWalWine.com.