28 Jan St Augustine Spanish Wine Festival: February 15-17 2019
This year, the 2019 St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival celebrates not just Spanish wines, which have been a special part of Saint Augustine’s history since its founding, but also the 500th birthday of Captain Pedro Menéndez de Aviles, the founder of St. Augustine. Pedro Menéndez was born in Avilés, Spain, on February 15, 1519. The historic Casa de Solana Bed and Breakfast, one of the oldest buildings in the historic district, is the perfect hotel choice to explore the city’s Spanish heritage of historic sites, museums, culture, and cuisine as well as the Festival.
St. Augustine is known as the Spanish Wine Capitol of America because of its continuing links to Spanish culture, traditions, food, and wines. Wines played a role from the beginning in the settlement of St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States. Casks of wine were one of the essential survival provisions for the 2,000 soldiers who sailed from Spain to the North Florida coast with Menéndez in 1565. It is not known how many varieties they brought in their 11 ships, but they probably were far fewer than the more than 100 wines that will be featured at the St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival!
Visitors can sample these wines at the St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival Grand Tasting on February 17, 2019. The wines offered at this event will come from the regions of Catalonia, Roija, and Penedès in Spain. Varietals will include Albariño, Tempranillo, Garnacha, and more. Spanish wine professionals will be on hand to chat with guests about the different wines, grapes, and regions, as well as more general aspects of Spanish culture and cuisine. Tastings will be complemented by Spanish-inspired hors d’oeuvres and musical entertainment by Dennis Fermin of Fermin Spanish Guitar. The Grand Tasting will be held from 2:00 – 5:00 pm at River House, 179 Marine Street, St. Augustine. River House is just a 5 minute drive or 15 minute walk from Casa de Solana on Aviles Street. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are $75 per person and must be purchased online.
To celebrate Menéndez’s birthday on February 15, the Festival will host the Cava Reception and Dinner at Flagler College. This elegant birthday celebration will feature a Spanish-inspired four-course dinner, with each course accompanied by a fine Spanish wine. Guests also will be treated to live Spanish music. For more information about this event and to purchase tickets online, please visit the Festival website.
To reserve your room at our St. Augustine bed and breakfast, just go online or give us a call at (904) 824-3555. We look forward to welcoming you to Spanish Wine Capitol of America.
NOTE: Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase tickets and attend the events.
All proceeds from the St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival benefit local charities
Image courtesy of the St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival