5 Best SoBe Wine & Food Festival Events for Wine Lovers

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) is back this week, and this year, as in so many years past, wine lovers' hearts will flutter. Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits has been a backbone of SOBEWFF's wine offerings for 24 years, orchestrating high-profile seminars and curating major wine brands' participation in the fest, and this year's wine-focused events are as outstanding as ever.

Cindy Leonard, executive vice president and general manager of fine wine at Southern Glazer's, spoke to New Times about the long-time partnership. "We've been so fortunate that our suppliers, vineyards, importers and spirit producers have donated so much of their time and energy through the years. It's been a fantastic way of bringing our community together to celebrate the chefs of Miami," she says.

This Year's Wine Events Will Highlight New Trends Like Orange Wine

This year's festival, slated for February 20-23, is set to showcase some of the hottest trends in the wine world. Among them are orange wines, with their distinctive hue and layered complexity, which are making a splash. Often crafted using extended skin contact on white grape varieties, these wines have a texture and depth that pair exceptionally well with our region's love of seafood. Also on trend are ready-to-drink wine cocktails like canned spritzers and low-ABV apéritifs. These beverages are riding the wave of convenience and casual sophistication, catering to beachgoers and poolside loungers alike.

In addition to these trends, Leonard notes a shift in preferences. "We'll see more and more Italian whites heading into warmer weather and, with Spanish whites, there's a growing curiosity. Across the board, we're seeing more curiosity for wine beyond chardonnay, cabernet, pinot noir, and the likes. Chablis, for example, is on fire in Miami."

For those looking to immerse themselves in wine-centric experiences, Leonard has some favorites to circle on the calendar. Below, these five will keep you wine-ing and not whining through the weekend.

Top 5 Wine Events at South Beach Wine & Food Festival 2025

Wine Spectator's Best of the Best, held at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on Friday, February 21, will have more than 60 of the nation's top chefs pairing their most decadent dishes with rare wines. This event is a playground for serious oenophiles, featuring exclusive pours from revered producers alongside unexpected gems.

Trade Day, on Friday, February 21, caters to industry insiders but also serves as a bellwether for what's trending in the wine world. Attendees will get a firsthand look at what's hot in the market, from new-age winemaking techniques to shifts in consumer palates. Expect panels on sustainability, blind tastings of up-and-coming varietals, and no shortage of spirited (pun intended) discussions about where the future of wine is headed.

Chicken Coupe: Fried Chicken and Champagne on Saturday, February 22, at Jungle Plaza in the Miami Design District. which may sound casual, but don't be fooled—this bubbly-meets-bird pairing is serious business. Guests can expect a mix of classic Brut styles, rare vintage pours, and grower Champagnes with a cult following. This year, the event has expanded its scope, adding sparkling wines from lesser-known regions like Tasmania.

For those who prefer their wine with a side of flair, Drag Brunch on Saturday, February 22, is a must. Hosted by food expert and Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski alongside political commentator Ana Navarro, this over-the-top affair features bottomless mimosas and rosé-fueled revelry. And, yes, there will be drag performances aplenty.

Last but certainly not least, the annual Tribute Dinner on Saturday, February 22, will honor two industry icons this year: chef Dominique Crenn and acclaimed vintner Gérard Bertrand. Bertrand, known for his pioneering work in biodynamic winemaking, has championed the wines of the Languedoc region, elevating them to a status once reserved for Burgundy and Bordeaux. Guests at the Tribute Dinner will sip on some of his most celebrated wines.

South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Thursday, February 20 through Sunday, February 23; sobewff.org.