Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife — W3 has announced its final schedule for all events.
This unique culinary weekend, to be held Nov. 7-9, offers award-winning restaurant tastings and unlimited samples of a wide variety of wines, beers and spirits, all included with tickets. There are also up-close wildlife encounters throughout the weekend’s events from St. Augustine’s Alligator Farm.
The festival is offering an opportunity for guests to save $15 on all Friday and Saturday tickets through Oct. 31, with promo code: FINAL15. Tickets can be purchased on the festival’s website, https://whiskeywineandwildlife.com.
The event takes place at the Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach, 117 Vilano Road, with all signature events taking place throughout the hotel, indoors and outdoors, and along Loja Street, adjacent to the hotel.
The Hyatt Place in Vilano Beach is just a short walk from the beach, and offers festival guests the convenience of having one location for most of the weekend’s events where they can enjoy an elevator ride to and from everything.
The weekend’s events will raise funds and awareness for the festival’s official charity partner, Vilano Beach Main Street, with 100% of the proceeds from the silent auction on Saturday, Nov. 8, designated for Vilano Beach Main Street. Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife and its sister festival, St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival, have donated more than $125,000 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 St. Augustine Alligator Farm Foundation.
Here’s a look at the schedule:
Friday, Nov. 7
Vilano A1A Soirée, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach, 117 Vilano Road. A tasting event and street party. 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. Live music from Zaza Flamenca inside and wild tunes from DJ Mr. Natural at the Street Party.
Saturday, Nov. 8
New this year: Alligator Farm VIP Behind the Scenes Guided Tour from 10 a.m. to noon.
Location is St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine.
A limited number of tickets is 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 & Cheese Reception.
Saturday, Nov. 8
W3 Grand Tasting — Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife, 2-5 p.m. at Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach, 117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine.
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 unlimited varieties of beverage tastings (spirits, wines and beers) with a souvenir whiskey glass and live music from Laiken Love and the Fellowship of Love inside and outside tunes from DJ Mr. Natural.
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 & People’s Choice Awards, presented by the Ponte Vedra Recorder, will take place during the W3 Grand Tasting. The Best Taste Awards are professionally judged at the Grand Tasting before the event opens to the public. W3 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 4:30 pm.
The Vilano Beach Main Street Silent Auction will feature some great items, including art, travel and food and drink packages, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Vilano Beach Main Street.
Sunday, Nov. 9
W3 Sunday Jazz Brunch at Michael’s St. Augustine. Two seatings: 10:30 a.m. to noon and 12:15 to 2 p.m. Michael’s St. Augustine is located at 117 Vilano Road.
Ease into your Sunday with a brunch experience that celebrates flavor, craft and community. Guests will enjoy a generous array of chef-attended stations, offering elegant, seasonal fare from signature-carved selections to vibrant morning favorites and coastal-inspired creations.
Chilled seafood and refined small bites will be passed throughout the space, adding a touch of spontaneity and indulgence to the morning. Souvenir glass with unlimited beverage tasting stations, including bloody marys, mimosas, wines, spirits, beers and signature cocktails.
With live piano by Jolie filling the air, this is brunch elevated — relaxed, delicious and designed for those who appreciate the details.
Satellite Parking Lots and Old Town Trolley Stops
Parking is very limited on Vilano Beach, so Old Town Trolleys will run every 30 minutes, providing 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, whiskeywineandwildlife.com.
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. Go to 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.
