From The Vine Came the Grape

And From the Grape Came the Wine
30A Wine Festival

It’s time to wine down (pun intended) as we celebrate the annual 30A Wine Festival benefiting the Children’s Volunteer Health Network hosted in magical Alys Beach, Florida—or as I like to call it, Santorini on 30A. The festival began with a series of dinners throughout the week showcasing partnering vineyards and local eateries. VIE got a chance to pop in on the fun and check out the weekend events full of good drinks, good friends, and good conversations.

Bourbon, Beer & Butts—Oh My!

Its every man’s dream, right? Who doesn’t love bourbon, beer, and/or barbecue? The weekend kicked off with guests’ choice of bourbon tastings from distilleries from across the country or beer from local and national breweries, accompanied by barbecue from the best of the best in the culinary world. Guests toasted and mingled, sharing their love for B3 (bourbon, beer, and butts) while enjoying live performances from 30A local favorite the Dread Clampitt band followed by Marc Broussard under the twinkling lights on Alys Beach’s Kelly Green.

A Grand Tasting

Saturday was time for the main event—the grand tasting! Guests strolled with a souvenir wine glass in one hand and a goodie bag in the other down South Charles Street in Alys Beach and had the opportunity to taste over 80 wines from across the globe. Reds and whites were complemented by bites from eateries all across the Southeast including local favorites Café Thirty-A, Caliza Restaurant, Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, and tasty treats from La Crema Tapas & Chocolate in Rosemary Beach.

Rosé All Day

*Cue the episode from Gossip Girl from the white party in the Hamptons*

Rosé, croquet, and all-white everything—what could be more elegant? I felt like I just walked on the set of Gossip Girl. Please excuse me while I channel my inner Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf. Okay, I’m back.

A highlight of the festival, the sixth Annual Croquet Tournament was held on the Kelly Green on Sunday afternoon. Attendees dressed to the nines in their croquet whites and gathered with friends for a boozy brunch followed by the annual croquet tournament. The affair was topped off with the most elegant selection of rosé and champagne.

For more about 30A Wine Festival and more information on next year’s event, visit 30AWineFestival.com. To learn more about the community of Alys Beach, visit AlysBeach.com.