Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort Announces Expanded Culinary Offerings at this Year's Sandestin Wine Festival, April 26-29

DESTIN, FL, Feb. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - The Sandestin Wine Festival, one of the South's best events of the year, today announced expanded culinary offerings at this year's 26^th annual event, scheduled for April 26-29 at the charming Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort .

The Sandestin Wine Festival has become a favorite event for thousands of guests each spring. It is a picture-perfect festival, complete with white tents, flowing wine, gourmet food and live music at The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. It's affectionately called the "Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals" because of its popularity and grandeur.

Festival Dinners and Seminars
Beginning April 26, leading Village restaurants will offer special wine dinners, paring delicious culinary options with delicious wines. On Friday April 27, guests can experience one-of-a-kind wine seminars, paired with cheese. These seminars include one on Biodynamic Wines from a top producer in Alsace with a guest appearance by Amelie Buecher; and another on Bordeaux with a guest appearance by Francoise Lannoye.

Grand Wine Tastings
Grand Wine Tastings are held at The Village of Baytowne Wharf on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29 from 1- 5 p.m. Wine connoisseurs to wine novices join together to find more than 600 different wines to sample.

Expanded Culinary Pavilion
New this year will be an expanded Culinary Pavilion with a Mediterranean theme, available to all guests with a paid wine festival ticket. Wine Festival guests will enjoy wines and cuisine from this region including Paella, Cassoulet, cheeses and other specialties. Other additions to this event are special culinary and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, including Tim Creehan of Cuvee Bistro; Johnny Earles, founder of Criolla's; Irv Miller of Jackson's; and Jim Richard of Stinky's Fish Camp. Scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29, these special sessions will be moderated by Julia Rutland, senior food editor of Coastal Living Magazine.

New Sandestin Wine Festival VIP Ticket
Also new for 2012 is a special Sandestin Wine Festival VIP ticket including valet parking, a catered lunch by Marlin Grill, a Specialty Reidel glass, a Reception located at the Amenities Terrace and access to rare and distinct wines not available at the Grand Wine Tasting.

Retail Tent
After a full day of sampling wines and finding new favorites during the festival, guests can purchase and transport wine sampled that day.

Accommodations from the Beach to the Bay
To thoroughly enjoy the events surrounding the Sandestin Wine Festival, guests can take advantage of staying at one of the many Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort's beautiful units. Special rates for accommodations are available with complimentary amenities including tennis court time and fitness center access.

Guests are encouraged to reserve accommodations early for this year's spectacular event. Call 866-91-BEACH or visit www.sandestin.com.

For more information about the Sandestin Wine Festival at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, ticket prices and other details, visit www.sandestinwinefestival.com. For added savings, purchase tickets online prior to the event. Group discounts are also available.

About Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort was named the #1 resort on Florida's Emerald Coast. The resort invites guests to a world of 2,400 acres and 30 charming neighborhoods featuring 1,300 Destin vacation rentals, condominiums, villas, town homes and the best in Destin hotel accommodations. As a member of Visit South Walton, the resort features more than seven miles of beaches and pristine bay front, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a marina, a fitness center and spa, meeting space and The Village of Baytowne Wharf, a pedestrian village with shopping, dining and nightlife.

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