By Mallorie Ann Ingram

Listen up all you winos and foodies. Did you know that Cocoa Beach holds an annual food and wine festival? I didn’t, but immediately decided to give Uncorked Cocoa Beach a try. Little did I know it would certainly become my next inspirational encounter here on the Space Coast. For years, I’ve wanted to visit a unique food and wine festival, but never seemed to live in the right place at the right time. 

With luck on my side, I happened to stumble across this festival right in my own back yard.

Picture this. You approach Alan Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach, and are immediately welcomed by not only the blue skies matching the gorgeous ocean before you, but a giant white tent filled with other food connoisseurs and the aroma of savory dishes, not to mention the sight of numerous wine and craft beer vendors with offerings to pair nicely with your choice of tastings. Let’s be honest. This entire ambiance puts similar events to shame. I’ve heard of other food and wine festivals, but to have your event smack-dab on the sandy beach with an ocean view sets it apart from the rest. 

For those of you who know me, it’s no secret that the beach is my all-time favorite place to be.  Add some wine and killer cuisine and you may have just created the perfect inspirational spot for us like-minded beach-goers. With the festival’s wide selection, I was pleasantly surprised, and even inspired to try new dishes, and concluded that my wine rack at home would soon be housing some new labels I have to call attention to my favorite wine choice of the day. Fancy a glass? It’s a “clean” wine called FitVine, and after one sip of the chardonnay, you can truly taste a refreshing difference.  Other fun favorites included tasty sangrias, hard ciders, local craft beers and more.

So, whether you’re looking for a unique twist to your traditional weekend beach-day, interested in sprucing up your home menu, or even tying the knot soon and need a good selection of wine-pairing choices, Uncorked Cocoa Beach is the place to be and I guarantee I’ll visit next time they come to town.