Gulf Shores, AL – October 2006 – Southern Breeze magazine announced that a variety of boutique wines will be offered at its Grand Wine Tasting Event on Saturday, October 21st, in Rosemary Beach, Fla. Wine experts from around the world – led by Ted Egan, a renowned Napa Valley boutique winemaker from Bourassa Vineyards – will pour more than 150 boutique wines. As an exclusive to our guests, winemaker Robert Pecota will be pouring a small production of handcrafted wines from his family-owned vineyard near Calistoga, CA.
The setting for Saturday’s event will be Rosemary’s Long Green Park, an exquisite open-air space surrounded by the community’s rich architecture, just steps from white-sand beaches. Attendees can sample new vintages, learn from the experts and even purchase their favorites to take home.
Informative seminars highlight wine and food topics, including cooking demonstrations by one of the Gulf Coast’s best chefs. The 45-minute seminars are free for attendees and take place in the Viking Theatre from 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Speakers will include Michael Bryan, Executive Director for Atlanta Wine School, and Featured Chef John Folse (www.jfolse.com), a top regional chef. Onsite vendors will market food- and wine-related accessories.
Southern Breeze Coastal Wine Tour
The Grand Wine Tasting is the highlight of the Coastal Wine Tour, which will take place for the third consecutive year in Rosemary Beach October 20-22. The Southern Breeze Coastal Wine Tour bundles an assortment of enticing events into one fun-filled weekend that appeals to fledgling wine fanciers and knowledgeable wine connoisseurs alike.
In addition to Saturday’s Grand Wine Tasting, there is a Winemaker Dinner on Friday night. Chef John Folse will team up with Winemaker Ted Egan to create an unforgettable evening of culinary delight. Wines are carefully selected to perfectly complement each of the meal’s five courses. The dinner takes place at the Rosemary Beach Town Hall, an elegant setting that reflects the quality of the meal and wines. This affair has very limited seating, allowing guests to meet and mingle with the Featured Chef and the Featured Winemaker.
Then on Sunday morning, attendees will gather on the Western Green for the Gulfside Walkabout Brunch, which offers a unique twist on the traditional Sunday brunch. Wine experts will pour champagnes and sparkling wines to complement the assorted delicacies offered by such local restaurateurs as Townsend Catering, Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club, Cowgirl Kitchen, Another Broken Egg, The Boatyard, Wild Olives, Café 30A, Goatfeathers and Rutherfords 465.
The Rosemary Beach celebration of the Southern Breeze Coastal Wine Tour is part of the Autumn Tides series of unforgettable fall festivals sponsored by the Walton County Tourist Development Council. This portion of the Wine Tour would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors from Southern Breeze magazine, Compass Marketing, SouthCoast USA, Viking Range Corporation, Rosemary Beach Property Owners Association, Rosemary Beach Cottage Rentals, Merchants of Rosemary Beach, Courtyard Wine and Cheese, WHJG/TV-7, Knology, Inc., EmeraldCoast.com, Blue Springs Water, and The Walton Sun.
About the Southern Breeze Coastal Wine Tour
Now in its third year, the Southern Breeze Coastal Wine Tour, sponsored by Southern Breeze magazine, is a wine and food event like no other. Each year the Tour visits select communities along the Gulf Coast, celebrating the culture of this unique region and offering guests several exciting multi-sensory events to create a highly festive and educational weekend.
The Southern Breeze Coastal Wine Tour blends premium wines, gourmet food and the traditions of the Gulf Coast for an entertaining and educational experience attendees will long remember.
Tickets are limited for all Southern Breeze Coastal Wine Tour events. Don’t miss your chance to participate in this unique experience. Tickets for the Grand Wine Tasting event are available for $50 in advance; $60 the day of. A limited number Connoisseur Packages, which combine the best of the entire weekend, are still available. For more information, visit our Web site at www.coastalwinetour.com or call 1-800-239-9880.
About Southern Breeze magazine
Southern Breeze is the premier magazine celebrating the good life on the Gulf Coast. In every issue, writers and photographers highlight the people, places and culture that make the Gulf Coast a special place for living and visiting. Learn more about Southern Breeze at www.southernbreeze.com.