The St. Simons Island Wine Festival’s VIP Wine Tasting & Auction promises an unforgettable fusion of exceptional wine, art, and music. It also promises to sell out.
“Wow! What a difference a year makes.” That was my first thought when I logged into our ticketing platform the day after tickets went on sale for the Second Annual St. Simons Island Wine Festival. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the number sold in the first 24 hours—more than five times the number we sold in the same period of time just last year. It’s a sentiment I continue to feel as each passing day brings more enthusiasm, more interested vendors, and more ticket sales!
My point is that you should go ahead and get your tickets to the SSI Wine Festival, especially if you hope to attend the VIP Wine Tasting & Auction on Friday, October 24 at The King and Prince!
An Evening of Indulgence
The VIP event isn’t just a wine tasting; it's also a celebration of the finer things in life. You’ll have the rare opportunity to savor a curated selection of premium and rare wines, each chosen for its rich taste and exceptional quality. To perfectly complement these vintages, you'll be treated to an elevated charcuterie presentation crafted by the resort’s executive chef, Chris Johnson. In this way, the official kick off of the SSI Wine Festival is a true feast for the senses, designed to enhance the delicious nuances of the featured wines.
But to be clear, the VIP event is a wine tasting, and the tasting will be divine. To help activate your taste buds, I tapped everyone’s favorite sommelier, Brian Henderson, from JP’s Wine and Spirits of Brunswick, the official retail partner of the SSI Wine Festival. I asked Brian to review the list of over 150 wines that will be featured on Friday evening, pick a few that he’s excited for attendees to taste, and provide a few tasting notes. After responding, “Absolutely not. There’s no way I can pick just three,” Brian was coaxed into joining me to provide you with a three-stop, virtual wine crawl, complete with his expert notes and my pedestrian responses. Let’s get going, shall we? Since I’m always keen to get the hard part over with, we’ll start our journey on the steepest “Slope.”
Immortal Estate “Slope” Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, California
BH: Hailing from one of California’s steepest vineyards on a 55-degree incline, Immortal Estate’s “Slope” offers an intensely dark and rich Cabernet Sauvignon that drinks amazingly young but is capable of aging for several decades, making it, well — immortal. But it would never last that long in my house. One sniff of steak on the grill, and it’s time to sip on some “Slope” and dream about wine country.
EH: That was really extra, Brian. Thanks! And not that this is the point, but the bottle is super cool. I’m definitely going to order a few at the Wine Festival. What do you say we head down the mountain and up the coast to Willamette (Wil-LAM-ette) Valley.
Domaine Lumineux “Cuvée” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
BH: People either love Pinot Noir or hate Pinot Noir, but what it really comes down to is having good Pinot Noir. This classic example of Willamette Pinot Noir is jam-packed with opulent baking spice notes and earthy forest floor. The soft, velvety tannins are silky on the palate. A glass of this gem and you will burst into song and unwind.
EH: This sounds like one Pinot Noir that might finally make me a Pinot Noir person. Hey, Brian, got anything European to recommend? Eh, oui? Allons-y! Let’s head to France for some sparkling bubbles!
Drappier “Brut Nature” Champagne, France
BH: No, not just sparkling bubbles — this is the real stuff. With bubbles so smooth, it’s time to pop this champagne and share in the groove. This is truly a champagne that celebrates authenticity and minimalism, crafted for true connoisseurs of clean, precise, and honest wines. Made exclusively from 100% Pinot Noir and with no added sugar (zero dosage), this cuvée offers a transparent and unfiltered expression of the grape and its terroir.
EH: Ah, the real deal. C’est bien! I’ll be sure to try this one. Thanks for the curated crawl, Brian. I can’t wait for the real experience in October.
Now, let’s talk more about what else you can expect at the VIP event!
A Showcase of Art and Sound
When you enter the ballroom at The King & Prince, you’ll find the ambiance to be just as impressive as the wine. The evening will be filled with the fun but understated live sounds coming from Michaele Hanneman’s keyboard. Michaele is one of my favorite local musicians, and I know she’ll provide a joyful but sophisticated backdrop for your tasting journey. But wait, there’s more! As you mingle and sip, you'll also have the chance to bid on incredible wine-centric auction lots. These lots are carefully curated to thrill both seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts, offering unique and valuable items that celebrate wine, art, island adventures, and culinary experiences.
Last year’s auction featured magnums, cases of wine, winery stays, tasting packages, and original art, including a genuine Salvador Dalí lithograph! Attendees should expect new but similar offerings, each carefully curated, beautifully packaged, cleverly named, and exquisitely presented.
“I love attending charity events and galas, but I’m rarely interested in silent auctions,” said last-year attendee and enthusiastic bidder, Laura Castaing. “That was not the case at the SSI Wine Festival VIP event. These were truly unique auction lots, especially for wine and art lovers. I couldn’t make my way around the table fast enough!”
As the person who solicited, wrangled, and curated last year’s auction lots, I’ll say that Laura has a point. It was not your average silent auction, and the same will be true this year. The committed donations are absolutely spectacular, including the official artwork for this year’s Festival, “Toast to the Tides,” created by local artist, Megan Torello.
Taste with Purpose
It’s rare that one gets to indulge in some of their favorite things while also feeling great about supporting the community. I love binge-watching White Lotus on my couch while drinking wine and eating cheese, but it’s not like I get the luxury of knowing I’m also making a difference. But as you’re delighting in the luxury and rich, delicious wines of the VIP wine tasting, you can also bask in that warm glow of knowing your participation supports a vital cause. All proceeds from the St. Simons Island Wine Festival directly benefit Glynn Visual Arts (our local nonprofit visual arts center) and the College of Coastal Georgia's Department of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts. By raising a glass, you are investing in local arts, education, and the future of the Golden Isles!
Don't miss your chance to be part of this exclusive event. Tickets are limited for this one-of-a-kind experience. To learn more and secure your spot for an evening that truly raises the bar, visit ssiwinefestival.com.
Words by Emma Humphries
Wine Glass Painting by Megan Torello
