Tickets are now available for the popular culinary destination weekend festival, Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife – W3, which takes place Nov. 7-10 in Vilano Beach.
NEW OFFICIAL HOST HOTEL/FESTIVAL LOCATION
The festival will have a new home this year at the official host hotel, Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach, at 117 Vilano Road, with all signature events taking place throughout the hotel, indoors and outdoors, and along Loja Street, adjacent to the hotel.
According to festival organizers, “The Hyatt Place in Vilano Beach is a beautiful venue and will provide guests with the convenience of having one location for the weekend’s events — and enjoy an elevator ride to and from everything.”
The weekend’s events will raise funds and awareness for programs for the festival’s official charity partner, Vilano Beach Main Street, with 100% of the proceeds from the silent auction on Saturday, Nov. 9, designated for that. Both Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife and its sister festival, St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival have donated more than $75,000 to Vilano Beach Main Street for community improvements.
The GTM Research Reserve is also a charity partner, with 100% of the proceeds from the GTM Guided Tours/Wine & Cheese Reception event donated to the Friends of the GTM Research Reserve.
The festival schedule is as follows:
Thursday, Nov. 7
Pesca by Michael’s W3 Wine Dinner, Cocktail Reception, 6 to 6:30 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m. Location: Pesca by Michael’s inside the Hyatt Place, 117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine.
Tickets: $225 per person, limited seating available.
The perfect way to kick-off Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife with an elegant four-course, wine-paired dinner by Executive Chef Michael Lugo and the VIVA Hospitality team. The cocktail reception, open bar will include official festival wine, beer and spirits.
Friday, Nov. 8
W3 Master Classes
Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach
Four classes,10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Class schedule and location to be announced soon.
Tickets: $79 per person, per class
Master Class Pass discount package pricing for $199 per person for all four 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. Master Class schedule announced soon; limited tickets available to only 60 people per class.
Class 1: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Class 2: Noon to 1 p.m.; Class 3: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Class 4: 3-4 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 8
Vilano A1A Soirée, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $109 per person
A Hyatt Place hotel takeover tasting event, with gourmet bites, indoors and outdoors! Guests receive a souvenir glass for unlimited beer, wine and spirits tastings. Sample some of Northeast Florida’s best restaurants, live music and more — all with a laid-back oceanfront Vilano Beach vibe.
Saturday, Nov. 9
Guided Tour through the GTM Research Reserve/Wine & Cheese Paired Reception
10:30 a.m. to noon
Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) Research Reserve, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach
Tickets: $59 per 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. 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 9
2-5 p.m.
W3 Grand Tasting — Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife, Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach, 117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine
Tickets: $129 per person
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 — some 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 Cooking Demonstration Stage and the GTM Reserve Stage with wildlife demonstrations and more. Tickets are all-inclusive with food and drink tastings included.
BEST TASTE AWARDS & PEOPLE’S CHOICE Awards
Presented by 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 p.m.
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 10
W3 Sunday Jazz Brunch
Location: Pesca by Michael’s Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach, 117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine
Tickets: $119 per person. 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 lunc- 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 can continue to enjoy beverage tasting stations after their brunch!
NOTE: Brunch seating will be on a first come, first served basis. Groups of six or more 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 Trolleys will run 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 eight or more volunteer hours. See “Volunteer” on the festival website for more information.
The festival is made possible in part by support from St. Johns Cultural Council, Florida’s Historic Coast: St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra and a 2024 St. Johns County Tourist Development Grant and Vilano Beach Main Street.
Tickets are available at 904tix.com/events/2024-whiskey-wine-wildlife-11-7-2024.
For more information, go to whiskeywineandwildlife.com.
