Whiskey, Wine and  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. Vilano Beach Main Street has received over $75,000 in funding from Whiskey, Wine and  Wildlife and the St. Augustine Food, Wine Festival.

Schedule:

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Pesca by Michael’s W3 Wine Dinner
6:00 p.m - 6:30 p.m: Cocktail Reception
Dinner at 7:00 pm

The perfect way to kick-off Whiskey, Wine and  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 Lounge Cocktail Reception, open bar will include official festival wine, beer and spirits.

Inspired by Miami’s Art Deco architecture, along with a lounge 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.

Tickets: $225 per person
Event Type: Indoor – Banquet
Attire and  Info: Cocktail attire, 21 years and over
Location: Inside Hyatt Place Hotel, Vilano Beach Florida, 117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Friday, November 8, 2024

10:30 a.m - 4:00 p.m: W3 Master Classes
Tickets: $59 per person.
Limited tickets available to all Master Classes.
Event Type: Indoor – Classroom
Attire and  Info: Casual attire, 21 years and over
Location: Hyatt Place, 117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine FL, 32084

6:30 p.m - 8:30 p.m: Vilano A1A Soirée
A Hyatt Place hotel takeover tasting event, with gourmet bites, indoors and outdoors! Guests receive a souvenir glass for unlimited beer, wine and spirits tastings. Sample some of northeast Florida’s best restaurants, live music and more – all with a laid-back oceanfront Vilano Beach vibe. 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: $109 per person
Event Type: Indoor / Outdoor
Attire and  Info: Casual/Business attire, 21 years and over
Location: Hyatt Place 117 Vilano Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Saturday, November 9, 2024

10:30 a.m - 12:00 p.m: Guided Tours through the GTM Reserve/Wine and  Cheese Paired Reception
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: $59 per person
Event Type: Outdoor, Rain or shine
Attire and  Info: Casual attire, comfortable walking shoes.
Location: Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) Research Reserve – 505 Guana River Rd #6527, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

2:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m: W3 Grand Tasting
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, and the GTM Reserve Booth 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 per person
Event Type: Indoor / Outdoor, Rain or shine
Attire and  Info: Business casual attire, 21 years and over
Location: Hyatt Place, Vilano Rd. St. Augustine 32084

Sunday, November 10, 2024

W3 Sunday Jazz Brunch
Two Seatings: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm; 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
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 have either a 11 am – 12:30 pm seating or 12:30 – 2:00 pm seating for dining. All guests are invited to stay and enjoy music and drinks on the outdoor 1st floor Patio, before or after their Brunch ticket seating times.

Tickets: $119 per person
Event Type: Indoors/Outdoor patio, All-inclusive, Rain or shine
Attire and  Info: Casual/Business attire

Location: Inside Hyatt Place Hotel, Vilano Beach Florida,
117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Date: November 7 - 10, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Saint Augustine, FL 32080

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