FLORENCE– Florence Wine Fest returns to The Shoals on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The annual festival held in downtown Florence showcases unique wines from around the globe, local food favorites, and live entertainment. Festival proceeds benefit Raising the Bar: A Community Fund for UNA, a program designed to assist University of North Alabama students pursuing careers in creative fields.
Florence Wine Fest grows and gains momentum each year, and in 2018 (the event’s third installment) organizers are excited to offer a new opportunity for revelry with the addition of a Friday evening Champagne Kick-Off Party at the GunRunner Boutique Hotel presented by Jean-Noël Haton Champagne House. Organizer Jason Allen says that the new event promises to be an “exciting evening filled with beautiful wine, tasty nibbles, and live entertainment by internationally-renowned pianist and showman, Christopher-Joel Carter and Company. Plus, it’s the perfect way to welcome the festival’s out-of-town guests to the Shoals.” Commenting on the cocktail attire of the kick-off party he added, “Everyone loves a great excuse to dress up, too!”
Festival tickets are available for purchase online as of January 01, 2018.
Also new in 2018, ticket packages will be structured to provide greater flexibility with an option to mix-and-match features and experiences. An attendee may purchase a V.I.P. All-Access bundled pass, or purchase individual tickets to the Main Tent, Bubbly Tent, V.I.P. Tasting Room, and/or Champagne Kick-Off Party.
Another notable change in 2018 will be the new home of the festival. In response to its exponential growth since 2016, Florence Wine Fest 2018 will move around the corner from cozy Mobile Plaza to spacious Wilson Park North where organizers plan to host a crowd of more than 1,000 wine enthusiasts. Organizer Caleb Banks commented, “We have been humbled by the overwhelming support of the Shoals community over the last two years, and we look forward to taking the festival to new heights in 2018!” Florence Wine Festival is a rain or shine event.
Discounted lodging rates are available at Marriott Shoals and GunRunner Boutique Hotel.
Additional information and tickets are available at www.florencewinefest.com.
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Florence Wine Fest is a rain or shine annual celebration of wine, food, and community in downtown Florence, AL. Established in 2016 by Jason Allen and Caleb Banks of The Carriage Wine & Market, the festival attracts hundreds of attendees each March from around the nation to flock to downtown Florence for the opportunity to explore hundreds of fantastic wines from around the globe and local food pairings from some of the Shoals’ best chefs. For further information, visit www.florencewinefest.com or contact Caleb Banks or Jason Allen by call/text at 256-810-3752 or by email at cheers@thecarriagewineandmarket.com.
Photos/videos are available upon request courtesy of Florence Wine Fest/Abraham Rowe Photography.
Press Release/Caleb Banks/Jason Allen
