Tickets are now available for the popular culinary weekend festival, Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife, which will take place in Vilano Beach on Nov. 7-9. Early bird discount tickets are now available for sale for the festival’s signature events, with savings of more than 25%.
The festival will once again make its home at 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 most of 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 Official Charity Partner, Vilano Beach Main Street, with 100% of the proceeds from the Silent Auction on Nov. 9 designated for Vilano Beach Main Street.
Both Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife and its sister festival, St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival have donated more than $100,000 to Vilano Beach Main Street for community improvements. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Foundation is also a charity partner, with 100% of the proceeds from the Alligator Farm VIP Behind the Scenes Tour event donated to the Alligator Farm.
Friday, Nov. 7
Vilano A1A Soirée, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach, 117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine
Tickets: $79 per person — Early bird discount pricing. (General admission pricing: $109 per person). A limited number of tickets are available.
Tickets include 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. 8
Alligator Farm VIP Behind the Scenes Guided Tour, 10 a.m. to noon
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine
Tickets: $55 per person — Early bird discount pricing. (General admission pricing: $75 per person). A limited number of tickets are available.
Guests will be treated to a guided, behind the scenes private tour of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, with special access to several exhibits including the impressive 15-foot 3-inch, 1,250-pound “Maximo,” the largest animal at The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park.
The tour will also include a tour of the “Rookery,” where native herons, egrets, spoonbills and wood storks seek the security of the Alligator Swamp to roost and raise their young. The tour concludes with a private wine and cheese reception.
Saturday, Nov. 8
Grand Tasting — Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife, 2-5 p.m.
Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach, 117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine
Tickets: $99 per person — Early bird discount pricing. (General admission pricing: $135 per person). A limited number of tickets are 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, 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, delicious food and beverages, along with wildlife demonstrations and more from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Tickets are all-inclusive with food and drink tastings included.
Best Taste Awards and People’s Choice Awards, presented by The Ponte Vedra Recorder take place during the Grand Tasting on Saturday, Nov. 8. The Best Taste Awards are professionally judged at the Grand Tasting before the event opens to the public.
Attendees will vote for their favorite bites and sips in the People’s Choice Awards. Winners are announced at the event on the Music Stage 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, Nov. 9
Sunday Jazz Brunch, details and tickets available soon.
Satellite Parking Lots and 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 to and from St. Johns County parks on A1A to Vilano Beach. The satellite parking shuttle service is free of charge for festival guests, with the schedule available on the festival website.
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. Click on “Volunteer” on the festival website for more information.
Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife 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.
