This Saturday, January 26, 2019 marks the 10 year anniversary of what is now a cherished monthly event, The Flagler Avenue Wine Walk.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years, but then again my body reminds me ohh, yes it HAS been 10 years. That’s 120 wine walks for me pouring over 2,500 varieties of wine. WOW!
What started out as a one-off event to promote the Hospitality Group and Gallery Group, working together to promote Flagler Avenue and give folks a reason to get off the beach and onto Flagler Avenue on a Saturday, quickly turned into a juggernaut monthly event that offers a little something for everyone. So much has changed in 10 years; the participants have changed, we’ve grown from one check in tent to 3, from 50 wines to well over 100 and from 200 wine walkers monthly to well…TONS! But one thing remains the same, we New Smyrnans love our wine!
For myself personally, as one of the original participants of the first and every wine walk for 10 years, I am grateful to be have been given the opportunity to continue to pour wines and turn people on to my favorite selections at The Flagler Tavern. In honor of 10 great years of Wine Walk, this month we will be pouring at Flagler Tavern some of my personal favorites like Domaine Carneros Brut Rose, PlumpJack Merlot, MASI Amarone and Darioush Viognier in addition to some brand new discoveries, Farm to Table Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
I am also excited to be pouring 100% RNDC (Republic National Wines) at this Wine Walk with Megan Stockton and Luxury Specialist Jamie Swart. Republic National has been throughout these past 10 years a huge supporter of Wine Walk and thanks to Megan who has poured with me for at least 50 wine walks and Jamie, who always found special rare allocated wines we have been able to keep wine walk fresh and interesting. This is the first time in 10 years we have been able to pour together all at the same time. The only thing that would make this day better would be to be pouring along side my original RNDC partner in crime my former RNDC rep Kim Braddock who poured with me every month for well over 6 years.
Although some of the original creators of Wine Walk have moved on to other adventures, I’m proud to share this anniversary with Jenny Norado, Nicole Carni and Frank DeMarchi, who along with Bobby Byers and Shelly Pestine, sat with me that lonely evening over 10 years ago in front of TaDa Gallery and spit-balled event ideas that eventually became the Wine Walk.
So to all of you who will be out today enjoying Wine Walk, take a moment along your travels to raise a glass and toast to 10 wonderful years of Wine Walk and hopefully to 10 more!
Happy Wine Walk!
Food for Thought,
Elaine