Growing up in Florida, I never recalled a time where there wasn’t a whole lot to do outdoors. I can recall going to the beach on Christmas Eve one year. That one weekend a year we called winter? Not too bad to deal with. Living in this area was really the first time I got accustomed to down time after the holidays. Not much happens around here when the temperature drops. February appears to be the time when people start talking about getting back out and enjoying the things that make our corner of the world so beautiful. Festival season is about to begin and there is one you may not know about that is worth a look if you don’t might taking a ride down the coast.
Whiskey Wine and Wildlife is a spectacular food and beverage festival down at the Westin Hotel on Jekyll Island. It is in only its 2nd year but is very quickly becoming one of the best events on the coast. Last year it was held in late April, this year it has been moved up to the 2nd weekend in February. February 9th through the 12th to be exact, just in time to surprise your valentine.
The event attracts some incredible talent from across the South. Chefs from Atlanta, Jacksonville, Mississippi and more were in attendance last year. Obviously, a coastal event will feature a good amount of seafood, but there is much much more to sample, including a “Wings, Q and Brews Alley.” A wonderful section of the Saturday event that features some of the best BBQ in the South, including St. Simons Island’s Southern Soul BBQ, which if you haven’t tried it, is almost worth the price of admission itself.
As we mentioned the festival will run 4 days mid February, with the hotel offering special packages including accommodations. If that doesn’t work for you, a day trip or a single overnight is well worth the 90 minute drive down to Georgia’s Golden Isles. The setting is tremendous. The food equally as so. In fact, the inaugural Whiskey Wine and Wildlife event last year was easily one of the top 2-3 food events I have attended in this area.
Tickets start at $59.00 (until January 31) which gets you all you can eat and drink at the Saturday “Main Event” held beach front on Jekyll Island. Other events include a wine cruise, educational seminars, wine dinners and more. Find all you need to know at whiskeywineandwildlife.com. We’ll look forward to seeing you there. Don’t forget your flip flops.
See you on TV,
Jesse
FINAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The Westin Jekyll Island with Master Sommelier, Michael McNeill, The Winebow Group, Atlanta, GA and guest chef Raj Gupta, New Castle Hotels & Resorts, Halifax, Canada
Friday, February 10: NEW This Year! Wine Cruise with Captain Phillip, 11 am – 1 pm
departs from the Jekyll Island Historic District Wharf
Friday, February 10: “W3 Master Class Pours”: 2 – 5 pm The Westin Jekyll Island:
4 – 4:45: “Field to Glass”, Craft Distilled Spirits with the Master Distillers. Whether you’re a connoisseur of craft distilled spirits or a novice at tasting, you’ll enjoy a lively learning experience on the evolution of different craft distilled spirits, with Erik Vonk, Richland Rum, Farmer Redmond, Six & Twenty Distillery and Mark Coffman, Alltech Brewing.Friday, February 10: “Whiskey Inspired”: 6:30 – 9 pm The Westin Jekyll Island – Enjoy a hotel takeover! The Westin Lobby, The Reserve Restaurant and Oceanfront Lawn Enjoy whiskeys, wines and beers, along with a showcase of whiskey inspired classic cocktails and culinary delights. Take home a souvenir crystal, Glencairn whisky glass.
Saturday, February 11: “Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife – W3”: 1 – 4 pm Jekyll Island Beach Village.
VIP Lounge, presented by Ocean Oaks, with early access from 12 – 4 pm, Harry’s Rooftop Lounge, The Westin Jekyll Island. *Limited VIP tickets available. The main event takes place in the Beach Village with all the “W’s” and more. An afternoon of exceptional beverage and culinary tastings from some of the South’s leading chefs and coastal favorites, great music and an opportunity to experience Jekyll Island’s native wildlife up close, from turtles to alligators! And take home a special souvenir glass.
Sunday, February 12: “W3 Sunday Brunch”: 12:30- 3:30 pm The Westin Jekyll Island,
The Reserve restaurant. The grand finale brunch will be the Westin’s culinary team showcase – with unlimited spirits, wine, beer and Champagne tastings, classic cocktails, Bloody Mary Bar, culinary delights and more – legendary finale with a laid-back beach vibe.
Village Green Entertainment Main Stage
1 – 4 pm: Briteside Band, Jacksonville, FL
Atlanta Magazine Stage
1:30: “Not Your Mama’s Pork & Greens” with Chef Holly Chute, Executive Chef, Georgia Grown; Stage Emcee: Tom Neville, Georgia Grown
2:15: “Meet & Taste with W3’s Master Distillers” – with Erik Vonk, Richland Rum, Farmer Redmond, Six & Twenty Distillery and Mark Coffman, Alltech Brewing; Stage Emcee: Jesse Blanco, Eat It and Like It
3:15: “The Hottest Craft Brews” with a variety of Brew Masters and brewery owners and ambassadors
Jacksonville Magazine Stage – Stage Emcee: Amy Robertson, Jacksonville Magazine
1:15: “The Sommelier’s Guide to Tasting at W3” with Master Sommelier, Michael McNeill, The Winebow Group, Atlanta, GA and Advanced Sommelier, Eric Crane, Empire Distributors, Atlanta, GA
2:15: “Cooking with Chef Kenny Gilbert”, Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen, Fernandina Beach, and Gilbert’s Social in Jacksonville, FL
3:15: “Farm to Fork” with Chef Ülfet Ralph, Little St. Simons Island, GA
Jekyll Island Foundation Stage, presented by Brunswick News Publishing
1:00: “Totally Terrapins” – Bethany Wilson, Georgia Sea Turtle Center
2:00: “Georgia Sea Turtles” – Belinda Merkelis, Georgia Sea Turtle Center
3:00: “Protect our Predators” – Kimberly Andrews, Georgia Sea Turtle Center
“Wings, Q & Brews Alley” presented by Springer Mountain Farms
A special “Wings, Q + Brews Alley” will be part of the Saturday afternoon festivities, with some of the South’s most revered Pitmasters, Big Green Egg grill masters and chefs including: B’s Cracklin’ BBQ, Savannah & Atlanta, GA; Griffin Bufkin, Harrison Sapp and John Helfrich of Southern Soul Barbecue, St. Simons, GA; Orchid Paulmeier, Hilton Head Island, SC; Ron Eyester, Southern Bistro, Atlanta, GA and Kenny Gilbert, Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen, Fernandina Beach, and Gilbert’s Social in Jacksonville, FL.
ALL-ACCESS WEEKEND PASS – BEST SAVINGS! Special, All Access Pass Advance Discount – $549 for two tickets to everything, through January 31, 2017.
