Four Days of Wine, Music, and Coastal Magic in South Walton
Special Promotion
Words by Ashley Locke
There’s a certain rhythm to spring along Florida’s Emerald Coast. The Gulf turns that familiar shade of impossibly clear turquoise, the evenings stretch a little longer, and the Village of Baytowne Wharf begins to buzz with anticipation. For nearly four decades, wine lovers, curious travelers, and friends looking for a memorable weekend have gathered here for one of the Southeast’s most beloved wine events: the Sandestin Wine Festival.
Returning April 16–19, 2026, the 39th annual celebration once again transforms Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort into a destination for discovery, where exceptional wines, coastal cuisine, and relaxed Gulf Coast charm come together for four days of sipping, strolling, and good vibes all around.
Often called a pioneer among Southeast wine festivals, the Sandestin Wine Festival has built its reputation on something that’s increasingly rare: an event that feels both elevated and effortless. Here, the atmosphere is as important as what’s in the glass. Guests wander the walkable streets of the Village of Baytowne Wharf with tasting glass in hand, stopping to sample pours from across the globe while live music drifts through the air and chefs plate thoughtful bites designed to pair perfectly with each sip. Conversations spark easily—about wine, travel, or the sunset you caught the night before—and first-time guests quickly feel like regulars.
The weekend begins Thursday evening with The Prisoner Wine Company Dinner at Poppy’s Seafood Factory, an intimate kickoff that sets the tone for the days ahead. Carefully paired wines meet chef-driven dishes in a setting that feels celebratory without being overly formal.
It’s exactly the kind of evening that reminds you how special a shared meal can be.
Friday marks the start of the Grand Wine Tastings, when the Village fills with tents pouring hundreds of wines from domestic and international producers. For seasoned collectors, it’s an opportunity to discover new labels and vintages. For those still learning the language of wine, it’s an open invitation to explore. Knowledgeable representatives share stories behind the bottles, helping guests connect flavor to place and craft.
By Saturday morning, the pace softens just enough to welcome one of the festival’s most refreshing traditions: Seas the Day Yoga, presented by Serenity by the Sea Spa at Hilton Sandestin. Picture a gentle stretch under the coastal sky, followed by a celebratory mimosa. It’s an ideal reset before another afternoon of tasting.
Later that day, the Grand Wine Tasting returns for its most energetic moment of the weekend. Culinary tents offer chef-driven bites, live music fills the courtyard, and the entire village becomes a vibrant gathering place where friends reconnect and new favorites are discovered one pour at a time.
But what truly sets the Sandestin Wine Festival apart is its sense of place. South Walton has long been known for its blend of natural beauty and relaxed sophistication. White-sand beaches stretch for miles, coastal dune lakes create rare ecosystems found in only a handful of places in the world, and charming beach communities invite exploration just beyond the resort.
The Sandestin Wine Festival Package makes it simple to do just that. Guests who book accommodations through the resort can enjoy special savings along with a ticket per adult to Saturday’s Grand Tasting. It’s an easy way to transform a day trip into a full weekend of discovery. With lodging options that range from beachfront views to bayside retreats, the experience extends naturally beyond the festival itself.
It’s easy to see why many festivalgoers turn the weekend into a full coastal getaway.
Morning walks along the shore, afternoons spent sampling wines in the Village, and evenings exploring South Walton’s delicious dining scene create the kind of experience that feels both exciting and restorative.
The festival concludes Sunday with a farewell brunch at Ovide inside Hotel Effie Sandestin. It’s a relaxed sendoff. One last chance to raise a glass, swap stories from the weekend, and savor the lingering sense of celebration before heading home.
Now entering its 39th year, the Sandestin Wine Festival remains one of the Emerald Coast’s most anticipated spring traditions. It’s a weekend designed not just for wine enthusiasts, but for anyone who loves the experience of discovery, whether that’s a new vintage, a new restaurant, or simply a new favorite place along the Gulf.
And with hundreds of wines waiting to be poured, the only real question is which glass you’ll start with.
Tickets and event details are available at sandestinwinefestival.com. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.
