Sandestin Wine Festival Raises More Than $57,000 for Local Charities

Proceeds benefit Fisher House, Sandestin Foundation for Kids and Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center

MIRAMAR BEACH, FL, July 15, 2016 - The 30^th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival, the most established and continuously running wine festival in the Florida Panhandle, announced today the organization donated $57,500 to three deserving local charities. The proceeds are from the four-day event, held this past spring at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Both the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast and Sandestin Foundation for Kids were presented with checks totaling $25,000 each. The Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center, who was new to the festival this year, received a $7,500 donation.

"In its 30th year, our festival remains committed to supporting our local community," commented Alan Meyers, The Village of Baytowne Wharf executive director. "Our team wanted to significantly increase the amount of donations from the Sandestin Wine Festival. With the help of sponsorships, community partners, and the continued support of our festival from the locals and visitors alike, we were able to more than double our giving from last year. We hope to continue to ultimately benefit our local non-profits in need," concluded Meyers.

"We are pleased to partner with Baytowne Wharf Neighborhood Association and Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, who host this annual world-class event," said Teresa Halverson, President of Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, Inc. "Their generosity helps us keep military families together when facing a medical crisis. The wine festival, enjoyed by many year-after-year, connects visitors from across the southeast with Fisher House volunteers to make it happen."

Sara Becnel, executive director of the Sandestin Foundation for Kids, said, "Our goal is to make a meaningful and positive difference in children's lives. I want to thank everyone associated with the Sandestin Wine Festival for providing these proceeds to support the Sandestin Foundation for Kids. The Foundation is here to provide support for families immediately and when it is needed most for children throughout the Emerald Coast and abroad."

Kim Henderson, director of development at the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center, commented, "We are thrilled to have the Sandestin Wine Festival become our first "Fresh Baked' sponsor. Their donation will provide cookie dough for both our Niceville and DeFuniak centers for the next 15 months. Each time a child leaves our center, they leave with a fresh baked cookie. It's always great to see them smile as they come out looking for their cookie."

The 31^th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival is set for April 20-23, 2017. Chief sponsors of the Sandestin Wine Festival include Coastal Living magazine, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Good Grit Magazine, Visit South Walton, Publix, 30A, GPL Landscaping, EC Magazine, 850 Magazine, Fly VPS and SoWal.

About the Sandestin Wine Festival
The Sandestin Wine Festival is the longest, continuously running wine festival in the Southeast. Thousands of people enjoy festival events including Sparkling Wine and Holiday Lights in November, plus Wine Dinners, Seminars and Grand Wine Tastings in April. For information, visit www.sandestinwinefestival.com.

About Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
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. People are invited to download Sandestin's APP for iPhone and Android devices, or become a Facebook Fan or Twitter follower for the latest events and news.

SOURCE Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

CONTACT: Media Contacts: Brooke Scholl, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, BrookeScholl@sandestin.com, 850.267.4164