Sandestin Wine Fest adds Southern charm, dash of personality with Paula Deen

The Sandestin Wine Festival at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, one of the most treasured traditions in the South, announced that internationally known food personality, author and restaurateur Paula Deen will be featured at its April 2013 event.

The Sandestin Wine Festival is scheduled for April 18-21, 2013 in the Village of Baytowne Wharf. This event has affectionately been called the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals” because of its popularity and grandeur.

“Paula Deen’s southern charm, positive and engaging personality, cooking expertise and wine festival involvement is a perfect match for our guests and for the treasured tradition of the Sandestin Wine Festival,” said Lanier Motes, special events manager at the Village of Baytowne Wharf. “The Sandestin Wine Festival and our ticket holders are thrilled to have Paula Deen as a celebrity chef and featured guest.”

From “Paula’s Home Cooking” to “Top Chef,” Deen has been a popular personality on the Food Network for more than a decade. She has sold nearly 10 million books, focused on her life of Southern cooking, and has her own magazine, Cooking with Paula Deen.

Deen has been an inspiration to thousands with her good-natured approach, her ability to overcome adversity and positive attitude.

As part of her involvement at the Sandestin Wine Festival, Deen will be a featured chef on the Coastal Living Cooking Stage Saturday, April 20, and will also be a special guest at the festival’s VIP Connoisseur event.

Now in its 27th year, the Sandestin Wine Festival is the original and most established and continuously running wine festival on the coast, and features one-of-a-kind seminars, wine dinners, grand wine tastings and culinary experiences. The event pours more than 700 wines in a scenic, charming and family friendly setting.

New this year is a Friday evening Grand Wine Tasting April 19 combined with the Grand Wine Tasting on Saturday, April 20. Also new this year is an expansion of the wine festival in the Village of Baytowne Wharf and at the Baytowne Marina.

Coastal Living Magazine is a presenting sponsor, and other notable organizations including The Atlanta Wine School, are supporting sponsors. Some of the proceeds of the Sandestin Wine Festival will go to the Fisher House, a home-away-from-home for the military families of seriously ill or injured patients, and to other worthwhile charities.