CSO Presents 2025 Toast of the Town on Friday, March 7, 2025

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, February 4th, 2025

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is thrilled to announce the return of one of Columbus’ premier events, the Toast of the Town. The Toast of the Town will host its 15th year on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 7:00pm-10:00pm at the Columbus Georgia Convention and Trade Center. Savor world-class wines, handcrafted beers, and delicious Southern spirits, and dine on food prepared by some of the region’s most celebrated chefs - all while mingling with the contributing brew-masters, vintners, master-distillers, and culinary luminaries. Guests can participate in both Wine Walls, sponsored by The Bottle Shop, and a silent auction filled with a variety of wines, hard-to-find bourbons, experiences, and unique treasures.

 “For more than a decade, Toast of the Town has evolved into one of Columbus' most celebrated events. What a joy it is to enjoy the best food and drink in the region while coming together to support one of the pillars of the Columbus arts community — the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.” said Kern Wadkins, Executive Director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.  “We are extremely appreciative of the support of our wonderful sponsors and vendors, who make this event so successful.”

As of this printing, the Toast of the Town is proud to announce almost 100 vendors will participate. Guests will taste samples from Columbus favorites and event loyalists, including Chris Holmes, West Georgia Account Manager at Eagle Rock Distributing Company. “As a growing distributor with an ever-expanding portfolio, Toast of the Town is the perfect opportunity to get in front of people and do what we do best: pour and educate! Every year Eagle Rock looks forward to this event, and 2025 is certainly no different. It’s the biggest and best event in the Columbus area for a reason. This year we really want to showcase some of our brands that are setting the market on fire - like La Gritona Tequila, Le Portier Shay Cognac, Good Boy Vodka, Dark Arts Whiskey House, Barrell Craft Spirits, and so many others you’ll find at one of our many tables. We hope to see you there. Cheers!” 
 
New to the Grand Tasting in 2025 includes B. Merrell’s, Bydand Winery, Dani’s Cheesecakes, LA’S TO GO & CATERING, Quady Winery, Shane’s Rib Shack, Snacks Chabelita, Still Pond Winery & Distillery, Vego Taco, and Whit’s Frozen Custard. Columbus favorites, such as Country’s Barbeque, Millhouse Restaurant + Bar, Parker’s Pantry, Chicken Salad Chick, The Food Mill, Tuesdays Street Tacos & Burritos, and 11th and Bay Southern Table, as well as private clubs; Country Club of Columbus and Green Island Country Club, will again be offering their culinary samplings. Specialty vendors like Brick & Mortar Cafe, Custom Cake Studio, Derby Mule, How Sweet It Is Cake Studio, German Food, Gifts and More, Graze Craze, Native Nut Company, Parsons Cookie Co., and Peach Cobbler Factory will provide guests with the opportunity to try something unique.  
 
Among the many culinary options, event guests will enjoy tastes from regional, national, and international winemakers distributed by Georgia Crown, Atlanta Beverage Company, Empire Distributing Co., Eagle Rock Distributing Co., Prime Wine & Spirits, Savannah Distributing, and Winebow Fine Wines & Craft Spirits, and more.  For those guests who prefer a mixed drink, many of our Spirits vendors will showcase several of the newly popularized canned cocktails.  As the Preferred Package Store, The Bottle Shop will be pouring several of their favorite wines and spirits at the event as well. In addition, a diverse array of beers and seltzers from local and national brewing companies will offer samples of their products for guests to enjoy. There is truly something for every palette to taste! For a full list of participating vendors, please visit the event website at ToastColumbus.com.
 
In addition to an evening of amazing tastes and toasts, guests can peruse the silent auction filled with unique and hard-to-find items beginning at 7:00pm, as well as the  2 Wine Walls sponsored by The Bottle Shop, one at 7:00pm and the second at 8:30pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to buy a $25 ticket at the event to select a mystery bottle of wine provided by The Bottle Shop, ranging from a value of $25 to $100+.  

To complement the 15th Annual Grand Tasting on Friday, March 7th, the Toast of the Town we are excited to announce a new pre-event:  Bay & Barrel: A Southern Bourbon & Wine Dinner presented by The Bottle Shop.  This new event will be held at 11th and Bay Southern Table on Thursday, March 6, 2025. The evening will begin at 6:00 pm with a cocktail reception, featuring a Castle & Key specialty bourbon drink.  At 6:30pm, guests will then be seated to enjoy a 4-course dinner prepared by 11th and Bay’s Head Chef, Heather Harrell. Each course will be paired with a bourbon and wine specifically chosen by Castle & Key and Prime Wine & Spirits.  Details about these bourbon and wine pairings will be provided by the experts during the meal.  You will not want to miss this exclusive event!  Tickets are limited to 80 guests.

Miles Jordon, owner of the The Bottle Shop, comments, "The Bottle Shop is thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase one of the best up and coming Kentucky Distilleries at the Bay & Barrel event! Toast of the Town is always one of our favorite events every year and we look forward to enhancing the overall experience by adding the Bay & Barrel event the night before.  Combining 11th & Bay's culinary skills and amazing atmosphere with the well-made whiskies from Castle & Key is a pairing that we are thrilled to see in action!"

For tickets and information for both events visit www.ToastColumbus.com. Grand Tasting price per picket through 02/28/25 is $125 plus taxes and fees.  The per ticket price increases on 03/01/25 to $150 plus taxes and fees.  Tickets to the Bay & Barrel: A Southern Bourbon & Wine Dinner are $250 plus taxes and fees per person.  Tickets are non-refundable/ non-exchangeable.  Please note that both Toast of the Town events are 21+ events.