Sarasota Wine Festival www.sarasotawinefestival.com

Contact:

Cathy Kwon

President, SRQ Forward Foundation, Inc Co-Founder, Sarasota Wine Festival 508-223-6449

[email protected]

Kendra Simpkins

Founder and CEO, Operation Warrior Resolution

[email protected]

Sarasota Wine Festival Returns with a Mission to Support Local Veterans, Offering Free Vendor Tables for Local Veteran-Owned Businesses

Sarasota, FL, February 17, 2026 - The Sarasota Wine Festival returns for another unforgettable evening of wine, music, and community; this year with a powerful new focus: supporting local veterans.

The 2026 Sarasota Wine Festival will take place on Saturday, March 21 from 5 p.m. to 9:30PM at Selby Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota. Festival goers can look forward to a wide selection of wines from around the world, fine spirits, live music, food trucks, local vendors and more.

This year, the festival is proud to support Operation Warrior Resolution, a local 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans and their families through holistic wellness programs focused on mental health, PTSD, and reintegration using yoga, meditation, and restorative retreats right here in Sarasota.

In honor of this collaboration, Sarasota Wine Festival is offering complimentary vendor booths to Veteran-owned businesses with a goal of spotlighting and supporting those who have served our country.

“In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the very first veterans of the Unites States Of America, The Sarasota Wine Festival will be supporting Operation Warrior Resolution with this years proceeds,” Sarasota Wine Festival Chairman, Eric E. Moilanen states. “We are proud to recognize the challenges that all who have served to keep this nation free for 250 years face, and we could not find a better partner than Kendra (CEO of Operation Warrior Resolution) and her entire team to support those who have served. We look forward to an amazing event, and to our community coming out to show deep gratitude and support for all of our veterans!"

“We are grateful that the Sarasota Wine Festival will benefit Operation Warrior Resolution and local veteran families,” Shared Kendra Simpkins, Founder and CEO of Operation Warrior Resolution. “The generosity of this event and its attendees will directly support mental health and workforce development programs that restore peace, connection, and purpose for veterans and their loved ones. We are honored to be in a community that believes in this mission of getting vital services to the men and women who served.”

For those seeking an immersive wine experience, the festival offers two tiers of ticketing, which are currently on sale:

General Admission Ticket gets you wine tastings from unique vineyards from around the world, a souvenir wine glass, tote bag, food truck voucher, craft cocktail samples and freebies. Tastings from 6-9PM. $150

VIP Ticket gets you everything above PLUS exclusive access one hour before general admission, private lounge area with tables, private bathrooms, special wines, access to sommeliers, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and swag bag. There are a limited number of VIP tickets available. Tasting access one hour early - from 5-9PM. $275

The event will also feature live music from Suzanne Lucas and the Hot Boyz, bringing their signature sultry jazz sound to open the evening, followed by headliner Life of the Party performing top hits from the 1970s through today. Attendees can expect a high-energy, dance-filled atmosphere that celebrates community, connection, and our country.

The festival is also proud to partner with local retailers Dive Wine & Spirits and Siesta Key Wine Bar, whose support helps elevate the wine experience while strengthening community impact.

For more information about the Sarasota Wine Festival, or to apply for a complimentary vendor booth, visit www.sarasotawinefestival.com. Vendor spots are limited, so apply early.

About the Sarasota Wine Festival:

Presented by the SRQ Forward Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, our mission is to create an immersive and joyful wine festival experience that not only celebrates the artistry of winemaking but also serves as a catalyst for positive impact in our community. We are dedicated to blending the richness of wine culture with the pursuit of philanthropy, creating a community-oriented celebration that not only tantalizes the senses but also opens doors to brighter futures for the Sarasota area.