Tickets are now available for the very popular culinary destination weekend festival, Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife – W3, presented by Publix which takes place in Vilano Beach, St. Augustine, FL, November 2 – 5, 2023. A limited release of Early Bird Discount tickets is now available for sale for the festival’s signature events – with savings of up to 30% for the festival’s Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
The festival has added several new events to its schedule:
Thursday, November 2
NEW EVENT: Pesca by Michael’s W3 Wine Dinner, Cocktails, 6:00 – 6:30 pm; Dinner at 7:00 pm
Location: Pesca by Michael’s Inside Hyatt Place Hotel, Vilano Beach Florida,
117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Tickets: $225 per person, $210 per person Early Bird, limited tickets available.
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 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.
Friday, November 3
W3 Master Classes, presented by Publix
Vilano Beach Location TBD
4 Classes – 10 am – 3:30 pm *Class schedule and location to be announced soon.
Tickets: $65 per person, per class – Early Bird discount pricing for $199 Master Class Pass for All 4 Classes!
These interactive and intimate learning experiences showcase local and celebrity guest chefs, cookbook authors and beverage experts. Each class includes tasting bites with a paired wine, beer, or signature cocktail. *Limited tickets available to only 60 people per class.
Class 1: 10:00 am – 11:00 am; Class 2: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm; Class 3: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Class 4: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Friday, November 3
NEW EVENT: Vilano A1A Soirée, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Vivian Browning Avenue
Tickets: $199 per person, $179 per person Early Bird, limited tickets available
An elegant and memorable sunset street dinner, showcasing some of Florida A1A’s best restaurants throughout northeast Florida. A five-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.
Saturday, November 4
Guided Tour through the GTM Resarch Reserve/Wine & Cheese Paired Reception
Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) Research Reserve, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
505 Guana River Rd #6527, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Tickets: $39 per person – Early Bird discount pricing; (General Admission pricing: $45 for person)
*Limited tickets available
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 Publix + GreenWise Market. 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!
Saturday, November 4
W3 Grand Tasting – Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Block Party in Vilano Beach
Vilano Beach, St. Augustine, FL 32084, Vivian Browning Avenue
Tickets: $129.00 per person, $99 per person Early Bird, limited tickets available.
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!
BEST TASTE AWARDS & PEOPLE’S CHOICE Awards, presented by Sysco and Jacksonville Magazine. W3 attendees will vote for their favorite bites and sips during the event on Saturday. One People’s Choice Medal Award Winner in seven categories, including beverage tastings will be announced on the Music at 4:15 pm.
The Vilano Beach Main Street Silent Auction will feature steals on some great items, including art, travel, and food and drink packages, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Vilano Beach Main Street.
Sunday, November 5
NEW EVENT: W3 Sunday Jazz Brunch
Location: Pesca by Michael’s Inside Hyatt Place Hotel, Vilano Beach Florida,
117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Tickets: $119 per person, $99 per person Early Bird, limited tickets available. Family friendly event, 3- 12 years old, $39.
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.
SATELLITE PARKING LOTS & OLD TOWN TROLLEY STOPS
Parking is very limited on Vilano Beach – Old Town Trolley’s will be running every 30 minutes and will provide the best and most hassle-free way to attend Saturday’s Main Event. The satellite parking shuttle service is FREE of charge for festival guests, with the schedule available on the festival website in the coming weeks.
There are great volunteer opportunities available with the festival. Volunteers have an opportunity to earn free festival tickets with only 8 or more volunteer hours, visit Volunteer on the festival website for more information.
The weekend’s events will raise funds and awareness for programs for the festival Official Charity Partner, Vilano Beach Main Street, with 100% of the proceeds from the Silent Auction on Saturday, November 4, designated for Vilano Beach Main Street. The GTM Research Reserve is also a charity partner.
Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife, presented by Publix is supported by St. Johns County Tourism Development Council, St. Johns Cultural Council, St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra, Florida’s Historic Coast and Vilano Beach Main Street.
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