Uncork Fun in the Sun at the 30th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival

The 30^th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival , the longest, continuously running wine festival in the Southeast, takes placeApril 14-17 and event organizers has announced the four-day lineup of events. The event is the longest-running and most established in Northwest Florida and is presented by Coastal Living magazine. Thousands of people enjoy festival events including Sparkling Wine and Holiday Lights in November, plus Wine Dinners, Seminars and Grand Wine Tastings in April. Chief sponsors of the 30th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival include Coastal Living magazine, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Good Grit Magazine, Visit South Walton, and 30A.

The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is a major destination for all seasons and all ages, and was named the #1 Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast. The resort invites guests to a world of 2,400 acres and 30 charming neighborhoods featuring more than 1,250 vacation rentals, condominiums, villas, town homes and the best in hotel accommodations. As a member of Visit South Walton and Visit Florida, the resort features more than seven miles of beaches and pristine bay front, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a 113-slip marina, a fitness center and spa, meeting space and The Village of Baytowne Wharf, a charming pedestrian village with events, shopping, dining and nightlife.

The Sandestin Wine Festival at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has become a tradition over the

Presented by Coastal Living magazine, the Sandestin Wine Festival is regarded as one of the top wine festivals in the country. (PRNewsFoto/Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort)

years and widely renowned as the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals.” The thoroughbreds for the festival have always been the daily Grand Wine Tastings in the Village of Baytowne Wharf. The tastings will feature the pouring of hundreds of domestic and international wines on Friday, April 15 from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, April 16 from1-5 p.m.  

The festival uncorks all the fun on Thursday, April 14 with the official Sandestin Wine Festival Kick-Off Party at Rum Runners located in the Village. The event starts at 5 p.m. and is presented by Mercer Wine Estates and 30A. Enjoy paired appetizers, live music and delicious wines from the brand new 30A collection. Rum Runners will also host a special seminar upstairs – Uncork the Bottle with Will Mercer, from 6-7 p.m.

The education seminar will feature Mercer Reserve and 30A wine selections paired with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a meet and greet with Will Mercer, General Manager for Mercer Wine Estates. Each night, the wine festival will also Showcase Special Wine Dinners from quality Village restaurants.

Friday and Saturday Grand Wine Tastings will feature vineyard representatives from around the globe and will provide a rare opportunity to learn about the finest appellations from all major wine producing countries in terms of varieties, styles and price ranges. The Savor South Walton experience will highlight chefs from the area including Chef Jim Shirley, Chef Javier Rosa, Chef Dan Vargo, and Chef Gio Filippone, among others. Village Merchants will also feature delectable appetizers to pair with wines.

Friday and Saturday ticket holders have the opportunity this year to enhance their grand tasting experience and enjoy an Exclusive VIP Lounge Area presented by Coastal Wine and Spirits. Located at the Terrace Amenities Deck in the Village, the area will feature exclusive wines and hors d’oeuvres from Marlin Grill.

The weekend events for the Sandestin Wine Festival start with a twist, plus some postures and poses. The Mind. Body. Beach. event cleanses the spirit, if not the palette, with a special yoga on the beach session presented by Spa Sandestin. Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 16, enjoy yoga and beautiful white sand beaches of South Walton all capped off with mimosas to start the day.

Back by popular demand this year is the Champagne & Seafood Voyage aboard the Solaris from 12-3 p.m.on Friday, April 15. Enjoy a special dockside reception at Baytowne Marina, then board the vessel for the 3rd Annual Champagne & Seafood Voyage. Enjoy a four-course seafood menu prepared by Solaris chefs as experts from Coastal Wine and Spirits pair the savory selections with premium champagnes.

Cap off the festival with a real treat and amazing views. The Sandestin Wine Festival Brunch on the Bay takes center stage 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, April 17 at Baytowne Marina. Guests can choose from a wide variety of fresh, seasonal brunch items, live music and free flowing specialty drinks.

The ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Retail Tent will be open daily throughout the festival and located at the entrance of Baytowne Wharf. Anyone can enter to purchase their favorite wines without ever having to leave the event.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort also provides the convenience of having accommodations that are steps or a convenient complimentary tram ride away from the festival. Packages with discounted accommodations and tickets are available with savings up to 25% off (code: WINE16). Call 866.91.BEACH FREE to talk to a reservation specialist.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to The Fisher House and the Sandestin Foundation for Kids, making a meaningful and positive difference in children’s lives. The Fisher House of the Emerald Coast provides a home for military families when a family member is undergoing medical treatment at any local facility. It is available to any families with someone that has served in any branch of the military for any length of time. This includes active duty, reserve, Wounded Warriors and all veterans. There is never a cost to stay at the Fisher House. For this reason, we depend on the local community’s support to operate the House and fulfill any needs of the guests staying at the Fisher House. Below are a few words from our guests.

French Fashion House Sonia Rykiel Opens Madison Avenue Boutique

NYC Outpost Marks The Brand’s First Free-Standing Store Under Creative Direction of Julie de Libran

Sonia Rykiel has announced the opening of its new Madison Avenue boutique, marking the French fashion brand’s first free-standing store in North America under ownership of First Heritage Brands and the creative leadership of Artistic Director Julie de Libran.

Sonia Rykiel Madison Avenue Flagship store Interior (PRNewsFoto/Sonia Rykiel)

Sonia Rykiel was founded in 1968 in Paris, France by Madame Sonia Rykiel whose signature feminine and irreverent knitwear embodied the spirit of her St. Germain-des-Pres neighborhood and launched an internationally renowned fashion brand. The business expanded beyond ready-to-wear into leather goods, shoes, a contemporary line named Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, a children’s collection, as well as home furnishings with Sonia Rykiel Maison. In 2012 First Heritage Brands acquired an 80% interest in the company to further develop the global potential of the business.

Sonia Rykiel Madison Avenue covers approximately 2,000 square feet (185 square meters) of a single floor and houses the brand’s ready-to-wear, accessories, leather goods, and footwear collections. The store design concept – conceived by de Libran in collaboration with artist André Saraiva and publisher Thomas Lenthal – is a continuation of the retail story brought to life in Paris, London and Tokyo this past year.

Inspired by Paris’ literary cafés, Sonia Rykiel Madison is lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, housing more than 15,000 volumes of French literature. Vibrant red lacquer covers the walls, shelves, and ceilings, punctuated by mirrored display columns and accessories trays. Vintage 1960s black leather sofas and chairs create a welcoming environment, while custom carpet designed by Saraiva, featuring a playful pattern of eyes, lips, pencils, cigarettes and books, adds a charming touch.

The store is scented with a custom infusion of rosewater, mandarin, vetiver and jasmine – a perfume developed by Danielle Andrieux for the Sonia Rykiel flagship in Saint-Germain. Two large display windows face the street: one is dedicated to the brand’s new “Le Copain” handbag, the other with vintage furniture and reclining red lacquered mannequins.

“We are thrilled to bring Sonia Rykiel back to Madison Avenue,” said Eric Langon, CEO of Sonia Rykiel. “This is a key step in the brand’s global development. We look forward to growing our footprint in the United States and to our continued acceleration – under Julie de Libran’s creative direction – for the years to come.“

Today, Sonia Rykiel remains based in Paris and the companies various collections are distributed in more than 60 countries around the world through directly operated retail stores and a select network of influential department stores and specialty retailers. With over 33 free-standing retail locations around the world, the Madison Avenue store opening is key to Sonia Rykiel’s strategic expansion in the United States, which includes the launch of shop-in-shops at Bloomingdales this past year, a growing wholesale business with leading retailers and major department stores, such as Saks Fifth Avenue.

Cunard Announces Independence Day Celebration Cruise to Feature Political Heavy-Weights Mary Matalin and James Carville

Remastered Queen Mary 2 to sail roundtrip New York, featuring Halifax and an overnight stay in Boston

Cunard is thrilled to announce that “love & war” will come to the high seas when Mary Matalin and James Carville set sail as Insights speakers onboard Queen Mary 2. Departing New York on July 1, 2016 on a roundtrip cruise, Queen Mary 2 will visit Halifax and overnight in Boston for guests to enjoy the city’s famed Independence Day Celebration.

Mary Matalin and James Carville are of America’s most well-known political voices and political consultants, as well as authors of two national bestsellers, All’s Fair: Love, War, and Running for President and Love & War: Twenty Years, Three Presidents, Two Daughters and One Louisiana Home. Known for their two distinct voices, Matalin and Carville will join guests onboard Queen Mary 2 for a discussion titled “Perspectives on the Modern Presidency” and Q&A with the Entertainment Manager as part of the ship’s Insights programme.

Image courtesy of Cunard

Among her many roles and accomplishments, Mary Matalin served under President Ronald Reagan, made her mark as George H.W. Bush’s Campaign director and was an assistant to President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. She has made numerous appearances on NBC’s Meet the Press and hosted CNN’s critically-acclaimed debate show, Crossfire.

James “The Ragin’ Cajun” Carville is an American political commentator and media personality who is a prominent figure in the Democratic Party. His most prominent victory was in 1992 when he helped Bill Clinton win the Presidency. Currently, Carville is a contributor to This Week with George Stephanopoulos and is also a Professor of Practice at Tulane University in New Orleans.

“Cunard is honored to host such distinguished American political experts onboard our flagship, Queen Mary 2,” comments Richard Meadows, president of Cunard North America. “Matalin and Carville have captured the American public for decades with their dueling political views and successful marriage, and we are excited to share their insight and unique personalities with our guests.”

Queen Mary 2 will be fresh off a 25-day dry dock and extensive refurbishment. Debuting on the ship will be 15 new single cabins, 30 additional Britannia Club Staterooms, an expanded kennel, a refreshed Kings Court, the new Verandah restaurant and Carinthia Lounge. Remastered design and décor will also be featured throughout the Grill suites and restaurants, as well as all Britannia staterooms. Executive Chef Nicolas Oldroyd will also be introducing new menus across the ship with new ingredients, selections and more choice, from pub menus to fine dining.

For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Consultant, call Cunard at 1-800-728-6273 or visit www.cunard.com.