The Art of Food & Wine Experience at ArtsFest in Memorial Park – Stuart, FL
If you know me, you know I love wine, which is why I was excited to attend the inaugural Art of Food & Wine Experience at ArtsFest in Memorial Park – Stuart, FL, held during the weekend of February 6th–8th. Set in the Plaza in front of Memorial Park in Stuart, Florida, the event felt thoughtfully put together from the moment guests arrived. Attendees received a commemorative branded wine glass to wear around their necks for easy sipping, along with a printed program listing all participating partners and key event details, plus space to jot down notes on their favorite pours.
Blue skies, a light breeze, and a perfectly sunny day, The Food & Wine Experience at ArtFest couldn’t have asked for a better debut. The space included curated wine booths, jazz setting the tone, local bites at every turn, and plenty of shady spots to sip, snack, and linger.
First Bites
We started at The Grove with a sample of their San Marzano meatballs, as well as a sample of the tiramisu from Bomboloni Bakery Cafe Ristorante. They were light and flavorful but not too heavy, making them perfect for a day built around wine.
A Stroll Through the Pours
We then made our way over to the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens booth, where two very different wines stood out to me. The Russian River Valley pour was elegant and balanced, with a soft, simple profile and just enough weight to keep it interesting, while the Chianti Classico offered a Merlot-influenced blend with a 16th-century Tuscan estate backstory that made it feel like sipping a little piece of history.
At the Volio Imports booth, the conversation turned to oak and how Italian wines often use less oak than many American styles. The result? A more rustic, less overtly oaky profile that still feels complex.
At the Consortium Wine & Spirits booth, Domaine Piaugier’s Le Sablet Rouge AOC from Côtes du Rhône was an easy standout, with solid structure and that effortlessly drinkable balance you want in a red blend.
The American Icon Brewery booth was a pleasant surprise and a great option for anyone who isn’t really a wine person or just wanted to switch it up. The Power Plant Lager was light, slightly fruity, and super refreshing, making it easy to enjoy even as someone who’s not usually big on beer.
At the Baron de Ley table within the Opici Wine & Spirits booth, the El Coto Crianza Rioja (2021) was a fruity, easygoing red from Spain’s Rioja region. On the white side, El Coto Blanco (2024) stood out as a strong yet refreshing sip, a bright, blended white made with three grapes.
The Bites That Stole The Show
Let’s talk food, because that is of utmost importance at wine festivals when you realize you’ve been “tasting” for two hours and forgot to eat.
Guanabanas Restaurant served a Maui-style seafood chowder with shrimp, clams, and lobster stock, and it was comforting, flavorful, and exactly what you want between tastings.
Oak & Ember Steakhouse also came in strong with a spinach and cheese empanada that was unique, filling, and perfect after a few pours, along with a crab cake and fried oysters that had amazing flavor and made for such a satisfying bite.
Palm & Ivy Kitchen and Cocktails struck the perfect balance, with a fig and burrata bruschetta that was a must-try and a peanut butter pie that was absolutely delicious, offering the perfect contrast of cookie crunch and creamy sweetness.
Little Moir’s Food Shack served a tasty Mexican shrimp salsa over a homemade corn tortilla chip, with just enough kick to keep it interesting without overpowering the flavor, and it was the perfect bite to reset between tastings. Pez Vela Fusion Kitchen kept things exciting with a spicy salmon roll that brought the right amount of heat, and their Noche Miami roll, topped with avocado and plantains that are always a win.
More Than a Festival
Beyond the food and wine, the event had heart. Live jazz set an elevated tone throughout the afternoon, while local artist Kim Hogan brought the energy to life with a painting created on site. The experience also included an auction benefiting Treasure Coast Wine Fest, an organization dedicated to supporting the future of the Treasure Coast hospitality industry.
Proceeds help fund grants and donations for mental health resources for local hospitality workers, as well as support nonprofits and programs that educate and mentor the next generation of industry professionals. That mission-driven focus gave the Art of Food & Wine Experience at ArtsFest in Memorial Park – Stuart, FL a deeper purpose—transforming it from a wonderful afternoon in the park into something that truly invested back into the community it celebrated.
