Event Location: The Alice in Destin
Story & Photography by: Sonja Revells
Event Date: 02/27/2026
Kicking off Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s signature fundraising weekend, on February 27, seven venues across Okaloosa and Walton Counties hosted Sinfonia supporters, vintner representatives, and chefs from Tony Chachere to well-known Emerald Coast restaurants and caterers. Held in venues ranging from The Alice in Destin to Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood in the Hilton Sandestin, along with elegant private residences from Destin to Santa Rosa Beach, attendees to these invitation-only style dinners enjoyed elevated culinary experiences combined with a live wine auction. Pairing exquisite meals with some of the country’s most sought-after wines, vintners from Napa Valley were well represented, including international wine luminary Jean-Charles Boisset, Proprietor, JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset, who captivated guests with stories of wine’s global journey and his family’s deep roots in Burgundy.
“Jean-Charles embodies the artistry, passion and sense of occasion that define Crescendo!. His global perspective and commitment to excellence elevate this milestone year as we celebrate two decades of redefining the symphony experience and our long-standing relationships with some of the wine world’s most celebrated vintners.”
Demetrius Fuller, Music and Artistic Director, Sinfonia Gulf Coast
Proceeds from Crescendo! benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s music education and community engagement initiatives throughout Northwest Florida, including musicians and guest artists in schools, free orchestra concerts, student transportation, the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra, Link Up concerts in partnership with Carnegie Hall, Paint the Music (with Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation), Arts in Medicine with Sacred Heart Hospital, and more. Founded on Florida’s Northwest Gulf Coast in 2005, Sinfonia’s mission is to redefine the symphony experience. To learn more, visit sinfoniagulfcoast.org.
