Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife Festival 2023

A CULINARY WEEKEND LIKE NO OTHER

Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife artfully combines renowned beverage tastings and inspired cuisine from some of the South’s best chefs and local culinary superstars, with a chance to experience coastal wildlife up-close, all in one weekend!

The weekend’s events will raise funds and awareness for Vilano Beach Main Street and the GTM Reserve, with the Reserve’s research and education experts on-hand Friday and Saturday, showcasing some fun, interactive programs with coastal wildlife, from sea turtles to alligators!

It’s a culinary weekend experience like no other. Expect to sip and savor great whiskey, spirits, wine, beer and culinary tastings – all oceanside with music and a relaxed Vilano Beach vibe.

Pesca by Michael’s W3 Wine Dinner

Thursday, November 2, 2023

6:00 – 6:30 pm Cocktail Reception; Dinner at 7:00 pm

Location: Inside Hyatt Place Hotel, Vilano Beach Florida

117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Tickets: $225 per person

Event Type: Indoor – Banquet

Attire & Info: Cocktail attire, 21 years and over

The perfect way to kick-off Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife with an elegant 4-course, wine paired dinner by Executive Chef Michael Lugo and Dessert course, by Pastry Chef, Rebecca Reed at the highly acclaimed new Pesca by Michael’s in Vilano Beach. The courses will be expertly paired with Foley Family Wines exclusively.

The Rooftop Cocktail Reception, open bar will include official festival wine, beer and spirits. 

Inspired by Miami’s Art Deco architecture, along with a rooftop bar and grill offering panoramic coastal views, Pesca by Michael’s brings a new and exciting culinary concept to Northeast Florida’s growing dining scene.

Dining Room + Wine Library

Mingle with fellow guests and locals at Pesca’s main floor restaurant, bar and wine library, while you settle in for Chef Michel Lugo’s elevated globally inspired fare. Guests can arrange to enjoy dining in Pesca’s private dining room or chef’s table experience.

Rooftop Bar

Cocktails, brews and a charming wine selection are available at Pesca by Michael’s rooftop bar, along with a rooftop menu featuring small plates and daily seafood specials.

W3 Master Classes, presented by Publix

Friday, November 3, 2023

10:00 am to 3:30 pm

Location: Vilano Main Street Diner, 140 Vilano Road, St. Augustine, FL 32084 (adjacent to the Holiday Inn Express)

Interactive and intimate learning experiences with celebrity guest chefs, cookbook authors and beverage experts. Each class includes tasting bites with a paired wine, beer, or signature cocktail.

Tickets: $65 per person, per class.

*Limited tickets available to all Master Classes.

Event Type: Indoor – Classroom

Attire & Info: Casual attire, 21 years and over

Vilano A1A Soirée

Friday, November 3, 2023

5:30 – 6:30 pm Cocktail Reception & Appetizers

6:30 – 8:30 pm Dinner

Location: Vivian Browning Avenue

Tickets: $199 per person

Event Type: Outdoor – Banquet

Attire & Info: Cocktail attire, 21 years and over

An elegant and memorable sunset street dinner, showcasing some of Florida A1A’s best restaurants throughout northeast Florida. A six-course dinner with sumptuous chef-collaborated courses, ending with decadent desserts.

Guests will enjoy an exciting evening with live music, and unlimited beverages with souvenir glasses to sample from a variety of wines, beers and signature cocktails from the festival’s official spirits.

Guided Tours through the GTM Reserve/Wine & Cheese Paired Reception

Saturday, November 4, 2023

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) Research Reserve – 505 Guana River Rd #6527, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Enjoy exploring the great coastal outdoors and the natural beauty of the GTM Research Reserve with a private guided tour. The tour concludes with tasting some fantastic wines, paired with specialty cheeses from Official Cheese, Cabot Cheese. Teeming with life, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Research Reserve) is a dynamic, ever-changing place with many interconnected habitats from the ocean to the forests. One of 29 National Estuarine Research Reserves in the country, this landscape protects and provides for a great diversity of plants and animals. Guests will get to experience wildlife (and wine) up close!

Tickets: $45 per person

Event Type: Outdoor, Rain or shine

Attire & Info: Casual attire, comfortable walking shoes.

W3 Grand Tasting – Block Party in Vilano Beach

Saturday, November 4, 2023

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Block Party in Vilano Beach

Location: Vivian Browning Avenue, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine, FL 32084

The main event combines all three of the W’s and much more for the perfect Vilano Beach afternoon. Enjoy culinary delights from up and down the A1A Corridor - nearly 20 of northeast Florida’s best! Guests will enjoy hundreds of unlimited varieties of beverage tastings (spirits, wines and beers) with a souvenir glass and live music. It’s a full afternoon of live music, celebrity guest chefs on the Publix Cooking Demonstration Stage and the GTM Reserve Stage with wildlife demonstrations and more. Tickets are ALL-INCLUSIVE with food and drink tastings included, from some of Northeast Florida’s best restaurants and world-renowned spirits, wines and beers!

Tickets: $129.00 per person

Event Type: Outdoor, Rain or shine

Attire & Info: Business casual attire, 21 years and over

W3 SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Two Seatings: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm; 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (11:00 am seating SOLD OUT)

Location: Pesca by Michael’s, Vilano Beach

Inside Hyatt Place Hotel, Vilano Beach Florida

117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine, FL 32084

The grand finale brunch at Pesca by Michael’s will be a great way to end the weekend – an all-inclusive culinary and drink ticket for a fantastic Brunch Buffet with gourmet stations for breakfast and lunch lovers alike. The festival’s only family-friendly event provides families a delicious way to end the weekend!

Beverage tasting stations will include sparkling wine, Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, spirts, wine and beers. Guests will enjoy Rooftop beverage tasting stations with live music after their Brunch!

NOTE: Brunch seating will be on a first come, first served basis. Groups of 6+ should make advance reservations to ensure same table seating. 

Tickets: $119 per person; 3 – 12 years old $39 per child

Event Type: Indoors/Outdoor patio, All-inclusive, Rain or shine

Attire & Info: Casual/Business attire

Featuring Live Music From Jim Johnston:

Jim Johnston

Musician / Guitarist

Buy Tickets

Date: November 2-5, 2023

Location: Vilano Beach, St. Augustine, Florida

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