Wine lovers along the Gulf Coast have another reason to celebrate this month as the 5th annual Wharf Uncorked Food and Wine Festival returns to The Wharf in Orange Beach from Thursday, Sept. 13, through Saturday, Sept. 15. The three-day event brings together local musical talent, more than 100 wine labels, celebrity book signings and a luxury yacht walk, along with silent auctions benefiting Make-A-Wish Alabama.
The festival kicks off Thursday evening with a VIP kickoff party and Chef Showdown, featuring high-end wine tastings, small plates and an open bar with a signature cocktail from Opelika’s John Emerald Distillery. The night’s centerpiece is a cooking competition pitting reigning champion Chef Chris Kelley against three local chefs for bragging rights over the best Alabama Gulf seafood dish. Tickets for the VIP kickoff and Chef Showdown are $45.
Friday shifts the focus to an evening of wine dinners, with several of The Wharf’s on-property restaurants offering curated menus paired with wine selections. Guests are encouraged to make reservations directly with the restaurant of their choice ahead of time, as offerings vary by venue.
The festival wraps up Saturday, Sept. 15, with a Grand Tasting presented by Rouses Markets. Main Street and Wharf Parkway will serve as the festival’s entertainment district, with vendors pouring wine, beer and spirits throughout the area. More than a dozen local restaurants will compete for the People’s Choice Award, giving festivalgoers the chance to sample small bites and vote for their favorites while watching chef and mixology demonstrations at the Rouses Markets Culinary Experience Stage.
Grand Tasting tickets are $70, while a combination package covering the Grand Tasting, VIP kickoff and Chef Showdown is available for $100. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster or in person at The Wharf box office.
Beyond the food and drink, the festival includes book signings by chefs and authors James Briscione and Brooke Pankhurst, along with a luxury yacht walk for attendees interested in browsing high-end vessels docked along The Wharf’s marina. Proceeds from the event’s silent auctions go toward supporting Make-A-Wish Alabama and its work granting wishes to children with critical illnesses across the state.
Now in its fifth year, Wharf Uncorked has grown into one of the Alabama Gulf Coast’s signature culinary events, drawing visitors from across the region to sample the area’s growing food and beverage scene while supporting a statewide charity.