One of coastal Georgia’s favorite oceanfront festivals on Jekyll Island,  Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife – W3 announces its final schedule and additional health and safety measures being implemented, due to Covid-19. The festival will be moving most of its planned indoor events to outdoor venues, weather permitting and/or expanded ballrooms at The Westin and tented areas in the Beach Village and The Westin’s oceanfront courtyard. Additional social distancing site plans and hand sanitizing stations are being added at all events and in accordance with the CDC’s guidelines, unvaccinated guests will be asked to wear masks.

The weekend’s events will once again raise funds and awareness for programs of the Jekyll Island Foundation, with 100% of the proceeds from Friday’s Whiskey Inspired Silent Auction and Whiskey & Wine Pull designated for the Foundation.
Saturday’s attendees can expect to receive a souvenir glass to sip and savor unlimited tastings of great whiskey, spirits, wine, beer – and will also receive an RFID wristband, pre-loaded with $10 in culinary credits to use towards purchasing and savoring culinary delights while enjoying some great music from Jacksonville’s Ramona + the Riot Band, all oceanfront with admission ticket. The W3 events take place with breathtaking background views of the Atlantic Ocean from the Jekyll Island Beach Village and The Westin Jekyll Island.

NEW for volunteers this year! All volunteers for Saturday’s W3 Main Event will receive a FREE $10 RFID wristband to enjoy culinary tastings on Saturday and a FREE Ticket to the brand-new Saturday morning “Rise & Shine” event. There are some fantastic volunteer opportunities this year for those interested in getting behind the scenes access to events and for those willing to be hospitality ambassadors in showcasing W3 on Jekyll Island. Various opportunities and positions are available, from assisting with Admissions to pouring beverages/serving culinary tastings. Volunteers also receive souvenir aprons, special ticket discounts and additional free tickets with minimum volunteer hours. Please visit the Volunteer page on the website to sign up and more information.
Schedule of Events –*Schedule of events and talent subject to change

Thursday, September 9: “W3 Wine Dinner and Launch Party”, 6:30 pm, The Reserve, The Westin Jekyll Island, with guest chef, Clayton Rollison from the Callawassie Club on Callawassie Island, SC.
 
Friday, September 10: “W3 Wine Cruise with Captain Phillip”,11 am - 1 pm - and NEW this year, a 2^ndFriday cruise from 1 - 3 pm from the Jekyll Island Historic District Wharf. Sunday, September 12 Wine Cruise, from 1 - 3 pm.

Friday, September 10: “W3 Master Class Pours”, 12 – 4 pm, The Westin Jekyll Island- with opportunities to learn from the experts!
W3 Master Class Pours Schedule:
12 – 1 pm: “Salt Baked Local Fish” with Chef Clayton Rollison, Callawassie Club, Callawassie Island, SC
            1 – 2 pm: “Wine & Wildlife”, with Advanced Sommelier, Eric Crane, featuring Santa Margarita Wines.
            2 – 3 pm: “The Art of Making Pies” with Chef Philippe Feret, Hilton Head Social Bakery, Hilton Head Island, SC
3 – 4 pm: “Taste Your Way Through History”, with Kerry Junco, Savannah, GA and Jasmine Walker, Atlanta, GA; official whiskey sponsor Old Forester and Brown Forman
 
Friday, September 10: “Whiskey Inspired”, 6:30 – 9 pm, The Westin Jekyll Island - Hotel takeover and Oceanfront Lawn with a showcase of Jekyll Island’s wildlife superstars!
 
Saturday, September 11: “Rise & Shine”, 9 am – 11 am, The Westin Jekyll Island
 
Saturday, September 11: “Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife – W3”, 1 – 4 pm, Jekyll Island Beach Village and Village Green- An afternoon of exceptional beverage and culinary tastings, great music, cooking demos and more. Attendees receive a souvenir glass with unlimited beverage tastings and an RFID wristband pre-loaded with $10 in culinary credits; additional culinary credits can be purchased throughout the festival to purchase culinary tastings throughout the Beach Village. Guests will not want to miss the following:

• Old Forester Best Bartender Competition - and vote for their favorite bartender's cocktail creation!

• Atlanta Magazine Cooking Demo Stage (*Tastings for the first 50 people in attendance.)

  • 1:30 - 2:15 pm - Matthew Raiford, Chef/Farmer/Author, Gilliard Farms, Brunswick, GA and 2:30 - 3:15 pm - Orchid Paulmeier, Executive Chef, One Hot Mama’s, Hilton Head Island, SC.

• Ramona + The Riot Band

VIP Lounge, presented by Moxley Homes, The Jekyll Island Foundation and Atlanta Magazine on The Westin Rooftop tickets available.
 
Sunday, September 12: “W3 Sunday Brunch”, 11 am - 2 pm (two seating times), The Reserve, The Westin Jekyll Island- Brunch and unlimited tastings of Champagne, classic cocktails, Bloody Mary Bar, culinary delights and more.
 
Sunday, September 12: “W3 Wine Cruise with Captain Phillip”, 1 – 3 pm, Jekyll Island Historic District Wharf.