1. Wine & Food Festival + South Beach

• The Vibe: This colossal, four-day festival draws the want-to-be-seen with its menu of hotshot TV chefs from Bobby Flay to Rachel Ray.
• Don't Miss: It's packed and pricey, but the "Best of the Best" at the Fontainebleau is the event to indulge in hundreds of tastes and sips.
• Insider Tip: While others party, educate your nose and palate at a Wine Spectator seminar.
• Dates: Feb. 25-28. sobefest.com

2. Taste of the Beach + Destin

• The Vibe: Sipping wine across from the beach in cool weather makes this fashionable Northwest Florida event a standout.
• Don't Miss: Visit the retail tents at Saturday's "Seeing Red" event to buy a bottle or case of the wines you just sampled.
• Insider Tip: If you're not familiar with Destin's dining scene, the Winemaker & Shakers dinners will introduce you to some of the area's A-list restaurants.
• Dates: Nov. 5-8. tasteofthebeachfla.com

3. Florida Winefest & Auction + Sarasota

• The Vibe: Four days of wining and dining with the Gulf coast's most stylish foodies at the Ritz-Carlton, private homes and area restaurants.
• Don't Miss: Friday night's dinner-dance at the Ritz brings chefs from Ritzes around the world together; the result is a sampling of exceptional culinary talent.
• Insider Tip: Saturday's brunch of endless food and wine stations precedes a rousing auction; you'll meet all the friends you made at earlier events.
• Dates: April 22-25. floridawinefest.org

4. Forks & Corks + Sarasota

• The Vibe: Popular with locals, this event encompasses Sarasota and her islands. It stars the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, 45 indie restaurants that are among the area's best.
• Don't Miss: The "Grand Tasting" at the Ringling Museum of Art when restaurants and wineries cradle the waterfront courtyard, and live music and fine art beckon.
• Insider Tip: Arrive early to the winemaker dinner at Harry's Continental Kitchens; mingle with the winery owner while sampling hors d'oeuvres and vintages on a lovely courtyard.
• Dates: Jan. 29-Feb. 1. freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks

5. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival + Orlando

• The Vibe: You'll forget it's a theme park as you meander from kiosk to wine seminar, sampling escargot in France and Rioja wine in Spain.
• Don't Miss: If you want to splurge, the private wine dinners at Disney's showcase resorts spotlight the entertainment giant's elegant side. Our Fave: Victoria & Albert's, Grand Floridian.
• Insider Tip: Book a Wine School, where master sommeliers who started their careers at Disney return to educate guests.
• Dates: Sept. 24-Nov. 7. disneyworld.com/foodandwine