Wine & Spirits Tour History

A GROOVY NEW WAY TO EXPLORE FLORIDA’S FAVORITE COASTAL HIGHWAY!

For anyone unfamiliar with Florida’s highway A1A, its northern tip is on Amelia Island and its southern tip is on Key West and in between are roughly 600 miles of exhilarating coastline passing through some of the most extraordinary seaside communities on the planet; some well-known, others maybe not so much yet equally fantastic.  By stringing together a series of destinations or activities via a Passport to Explore A1A, we set out to create a fun, interactive, super low-tech, and groovy new way to encourage visitors and locals to get out and explore more of this iconic route.

Here’s a 3.5 minute video we made during the development of the first tour.

Here’s a somewhat brief history of the first passport’s evolution…

Launch Announcment (Date) 300 OPTWe’re thrilled to announce that from March 21st to April 30th we’ll be partnering with Indiegogo to launch a campaign called Passport to Explore A1A. It’s the critical second phase of a larger three-phase project that will ultimately produce an extraordinary interactive app and user experience framed within the context of exploring Florida’s most legendary (and much-loved) scenic coastal highway A1A. And as we share more information, we hope you’ll decide this project is worthwhile too and find a way to be a part of it. Stay tuned for more…peace, love & A1A.

Passport Cover (Indiegogo Announcement)We’ll be posting Indiegogo campaign updates here as well as information about the special reward incentives being developed for our community members. About once a month we publish a newsletter called Explore A1A Today, and if you’re interested in plugging in for updates, please use this link.

CAMPAIGN UPDATES:

March 21, 2016 – WE’RE LIVE!!! We’re super excited to announce that our campaign successfully launched this morning and invite you to learn the story behind “Passport to Explore A1A”; please help us reach our goal and stay tuned for updates we’ll be posting here as well as  across all of our social media sites!!

Campaign Update and Indiegogo Link

March 29, 2016 – The purpose of this post is two-fold. First to share an update on the Indiegogo campaign – We reached 13% of our goal in the very first week of the campaign; THANK YOU to all of the early adopters who jumped in and helped us make some noise. We’re thrilled to have gotten off to such a fast start and are so grateful for all of the love and support. We’ve got a long way to go and only 5 weeks to get there – please join us!!

Second, this week starts the process of selecting the theme of the inaugural Passport Tour. At the end of this week, we’ll take all of the suggestions and incorporate them into a ballot. Voting will run throughout the month of April and the winning selection will be based on the combined popular vote from Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, ExploreA1A.com, and Indiegogo.

April 1, 2016LET THE VOTING BEGIN! Now it’s time to find out which tour will be our first. Please take a minute to let us know where you want us to start by using the Contact Form to leave us a comment or use the image link below where you’ll be redirected to a multiple-choice, one-question survey.

Use the image link to be redirected to the one question survey!

 Happy voting…

4-4 Indiegogo Campaign Update (Week 2 April 4) version 2 OPTApril 4, 2016 – CALLING ALL BUSINESS OWNERS from Amelia Island to Key West; help us reach our goal by becoming a sponsor of the inaugural Passport to Explore A1A! Today on Indiegogo, you’ll find a total of 15 sponsor positions in three levels; Base Camp, High Camp, and Summit and regardless of which level you choose, we’ve created a few great perks to help you decide to help us. Don’t wait, there are only 15 spots available – we invite you to plant your company flag in the history of A1A!

April 7, 2016 – Sending out an A1A-tomic THANK YOU to Sunset Grille (421 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach) who became Summit Sponsors today for our Indiegogo launch of Passport to Explore A1A! Three cheers for Sunset Grille; Hip, Hip, Hooray! You can use either the text or image link to check out their site…

ST AUGUSTINE SUNSET GRILLE 7

4-12 Indiegogo Campaign Update (Week 3) OPTApril 12, 2016 – We A1A-DORE this community; we’re half-way through the campaign and almost half-way to our goal! With just a little less than three weeks remaining, we’re calling on all A1A explorers to lean in and give us a little push forward. Please support the campaign to launch Passport to Explore A1A in whatever way you’re able, and effective today, make a campaign contribution of any amount and along with our thanks, we’ll send you a big, bold, beautiful, weather-resistant vinyl Explore A1A sticker. Peace, Love & A1A…

Please join us in giving a huge round of A1A-plause for Beaches, Bars & Bungalows who became Base Camp Sponsors today for our Indiegogo launch of Passport to Explore A1A and whose blog we love, love, love! Three cheers for Beaches, Bars & Bungalows; Hip, Hip, Hooray!

4-18 Indiegogo Campaign Update (Week 4 April 18)April 18, 2016 – Lucky 13! With just under two weeks remaining in our campaign to launch Passport to Explore A1A, we’re calling on A1A enthusiasts and explorers of every kind to help us reach our goal. Please join us and plant your flag in the history of A1A by being a part of this epic adventure! Peace, Love & A1A…

 

4-26 Indiegogo Campaign Update (Week 5) OPTApril 26, 2016 – The countdown is on! We’ve reached the final 5 critical days of our Indiegogo campaign to launch Passport to Explore A1A and this extraordinary community has helped us A1A-complish more than 61% of our goal. We need your help to crush the remaining 39% ($1,494). This is it – don’t wait another second to get involved; please take action today. Peace, Love & A1A…

 

Indiegogo Campaign Update (Week 6 April 30) OPTApril 30, 2016 – It’s been said that time flies when you’re having fun yet we’re still A1A-stonished that today, our forty-day Indiegogo campaign to launch Passport to Explore A1A has entered its final day of orbit. So this is it, last call, become a founding member of this epic adventure and take action now! Peace, Love & A1A…

 

Looking for an A1A-drenaline rush? Then look no further than Air Adventures – Key West’s ONLY helicopter tour and the newest Base Camp Sponsor of our Indiegogo campaign to launch Passport to Explore A1A! Three cheers for Air Adventures; Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Indiegogo Campaign Update (Week 6) Final ResultsMay 2, 2016 – “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” While we weren’t able to confidently identify the source of this quote, it captured the spirit of what we wanted to share today. Yesterday, our Indiegogo campaign ended with more than 70% of our “wish-list” goal attained. We’re humbled and grateful that our tiny little start-up seems to have struck a chord with other liked-minded kindred spirits who believe Florida’s favorite scenic coastal highway A1A deserves a brand, a status, and community that rivals other legendary highways like Route 66 or California’s Route 1. We are profoundly grateful for the generosity of this community and can’t wait to announce the inaugural Passport to Explore A1A tour which will be determined by popular vote tabulated through Friday, May 6th… Peace, Love & A1A

05-08 HOLLYWOOD BEACH BROADWALK MERMAID-2 OPTMay 8, 2016 – We couldn’t think of a more appropriate way to announce the inaugural Passport to Explore A1A tour than to borrow a quote from someecards.com, “I’ve learned to use meditation and relaxation to handle stress… Just kidding, I’m on my third glass of wine.” Yes, the votes have been tallied and we’re pleased as rum punch to announce the winner by popular vote is ‘Wineries & Distilleries’ which we’re officially naming the Wine & Spirits Tour! So in honor of this soon-to-be epic adventure, let’s pause for a minute to raise our glasses high today in celebration and gratitude for all the A1A-stonishing women that have helped shape our lives; cheers and Happy Mother’s Day!

Wine and Spirits Tour (Passport Cover - Teal) OPTMay 14, 2016 – Last weekend we announced that by popular vote, the winning theme of the very first Passport to Explore A1A would be wineries and distilleries and that we officially named the first tour, the Wine and Spirits Tour. Now that development of the tour is in full-swing, we thought you might like an advance look at the artwork we’ll be using for the first passport cover. Feel free to share your feedback and let us know what you think!

Limited Edition Launch Tee 320x327 OPTMay 27, 2016 – This is a pic of the back side of the super soft limited-edition launch tee that was created as a THANK-YOU incentive for the contributors to our successful Indiegogo campaign. Through our contributors’ and sponsors’ generosity, we’re now able to move the very first Passport to Explore A1A – Wine & Spirits Tour forward. This week as the tees, stickers, and beach towels make their way to the homes of our extraordinary community, we wanted to offer our heart-felt thanks to the A1A-mazing contributors, sponsors, and supporters that helped make it all possible; we’re deeply grateful to you for all of your love & support!

Wine and Spirits Tour (Circle Logo Passport Stamp) CHEERS OPTJune 9, 2016 – We’re thrilled to announce the 7 extraordinary destinations included in the first, and soon to be epic adventure – Passport to Explore A1A: Wine & Spirits Tour! Listed north to south, here’s the lineup… Marlin & Barrel Distillery, Fernandina Beach; St. Augustine Distillery, St. Augustine; San Sebastian Winery, St. Augustine; Flagler Beachfront Winery, Flagler Beach; Endless Summer Vineyard & Winery, Ft. Pierce; Schnebly Redland’s Winery, Brewery & Restaurant, Homestead; and Key West First Legal Rum Distillery, Key West. While there is still much to be done before we’re ready to distribute passports and welcome explorers, we invite you to raise your glasses high today in celebration of the A1A-stounding collaboration that will ultimately produce a one-of-a-kind experience for A1A enthusiasts everywhere; cheers!

June 23, 2016 – Oh the places you’ll go and stories you’ll tell… By the middle of next month Passport to Explore A1A: Wine & Spirits Tour will officially begin! Basically, here’s how it will work. 1) Get a passport. 2) Visit each extraordinary stop on the tour and get your passport stamped. 3) A fully-stamped passport earns you a free commemorative souvenir. So first things first. You can get a passport through the website and when they’re available, there will be two options; either use the “DOWNLOAD” button to download/print a free copy or use the “BUY NOW” button and for one dollar ($2 if you live outside the US) we’ll mail you a sturdy UV laminate cardstock version of the passport and because we’re mailing it to you, you’ll get it with a Florida postmark making it even more A1A-mazing!

Although the passports won’t be ready for a couple of weeks, we’ve activated the “BUY NOW” button today for our explorers who enjoy planning their adventures or those who have a competitive streak. We’ll be mailing out the cardstock passports to everyone who pre-registers before we make them available online to download. Peace, Love & A1A!

IMG_3475 400x400 OPTJuly 7, 2016 – Passports and passport stamps are making their way through production and are expected to arrive within the next week or so which means if all goes according to plan (we love when that happens) before the end of the month explorers will be able to start filling their passports with stamps like the one pictured here. We’re absolutely thrilled to kick off the Wine & Spirits Tour as our first collaboration with 7 exceptional artisans and hope fellow explorers will return from these one-of-a-kind tasting experiences with fully-stamped passports, A1A-mazing memories and lots of great stories to tell. Passports will be available to download for free from the website or for $1 ($2 if you’re outside the US) we’ll mail you a premium cardstock version; the link is in the Bio. Cheers to Julianne at the Holmes Stamp & Sign Company in Jacksonville for helping us create these killer passport stamps!

Car Coaster OPTJuly 21, 2016 – Explorers ready? Passports ready? We’re thrilled to announce the Wine & Spirits Tour officially kicks-off tomorrow, July 22 with seven extraordinary artisan locations welcoming explorers to one-of-a-kind tasting experiences that can only be described as pure Florida! On every great road-trip we’ve ever been on we’ve returned with a keepsake reminder of our adventure which is probably why we felt strongly about creating one for the A1A Explorers who complete the Wine & Spirits Tour and collect all 7 passport stamps. So we set out in search of something that would commemorate the tour as well as serve some functional purpose in the lives of our explorers; pictured here is what we came up with… Every passport holder who completes the tour by collecting all 7 stamps will receive a set of two stone car coasters (seashells not included). Not only do they make a great barrier against condensation puddles in your cup holder, they add a personalized touch to your vehicle and serve as a keepsake reminder of each of the extraordinary passport destinations you visited. Grab a passport and get started and cheers to epic road trips, unique experiences, and memories that will last a lifetime!

July 22, 2016 – Today the next great Florida adventure begins; cheers!

Passport to Explore A1A (Wine & Spirits Tour) Press Release 372x355 OPT

MARLIN BARREL PASSPORT STAMP OPTJuly 25, 2016 – We love pics of A1A explorers and double love pics of explorers enjoying the new Passport to Explore A1A Wine & Spirits Tour! Here’s one of Andrea & Oz with Marlin & Barrel Distillery owner Roger Morenc getting their first passport stamp on Saturday @MarlinBarrel in Fernandina Beach and holding their purchase of the insanely good hand-zested Blossom Orangecello that the owner personalized and signed for them. There, the couple was treated to free tastings of Blossom Orangecello and Venture Vodka plus as A1A passport holders, each received a free souvenir magnet. On Sunday, the couple explored @SanSebastianWinery where they were treated to a free tour & fabulous tastings of Reds, Whites, and Rosa Wines, Cream Sherry, and Port, bought a purse made out of cork (yes, cork) in the Wine Shop, got their A1A passports stamped then headed to @StAugustineDistillery where they enjoyed a free tour & fantastical tastings of the Distiller’s Florida Mule and Gin & Tonic, explored the gift shop where they bought pineapple juice, orange juice, and coconut crème slushies that included a complimentary shot of the distillery’s hand-crafted award-winning rum, got their passports stamped and as A1A passport holders, each received a free souvenir shot-glass. Visiting from Illinois and planning to be married this September in California, the couple said, “It may take us a while to complete the tour but we ABSOLUTLEY loved it and can’t wait to come back and hit the other stops”. Cheers to Andrea & Oz on their upcoming wedding and for exploring three of the seven extraordinary artisan locations on the Wine & Spirits Tour! Peace, Love & A1A…

08-04 Wine-Spirits Tour Map 1300x1400 BBB - Companion Guide Announcement 480x553 OPTAugust 4, 2016 – Today we thought we’d borrow a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt to help us announce the next evolution of the Passport to Explore A1A – Wine & Spirits Tour. “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Because we know it can be a little scary to embark on any new adventure, we reached out to our friends and Florida travel experts @BeachesBarsAndBungalows to ask for their help creating a guide that would make it easier for A1A explorers to find dining and lodging options in and around each of the unique destinations on the Wine & Spirits tour. We’re thrilled to let you know that within the next couple of weeks, the ‘Passport Traveler’s Companion’ will be published and made available as a complimentary resource for all A1A explorers to enjoy. Three cheers to Beaches, Bars, and Bungalows for the love, insight, and expertise poured into creating this extraordinary guide; hip, hip, hooray!

IMG_3552 150x150August 5, 2016 – EXPLORERS COLLECT 6th PASSPORT STAMP! Chelsea & Kinsley shared this pic on Instagram taken in front of Endless Summer Vineyard & Winery in Ft. Pierce where the two explorers collected their 5th passport stamp. Since this photo was taken, these road warriors additionally picked up stamp number 6 at Flagler Beachfront Winery. With only 1 more stamp remaining, we just might be looking at the very first explorers to complete the very first passport tour!

08-18 Passport-Traveler's-Companion 640x458 OPTAugust 18, 2016 – Through the extraordinary efforts of our friends and Florida travel experts at Beaches, Bars, and Bungalows, A1A explorers will soon have access to ‘PASSPORT TRAVELER’S COMPANION’ a guide to some of coastal Florida’s best kept secrets for places to eat and stay in and around each stop on the newly launched Passport to Explore A1A: Wine & Spirits Tour. One of the reasons we choose to collaborate with Beaches, Bars and Bungalows on this project is that we love, love, love their philosophy of supporting local, family owned businesses – no chain restaurants, no cookie cutter big name hotels in fact they’ll tell you, “If you always stay at a ritzy chain hotel, hey, enjoy and have a Himalayan Salt Crystal Massage for us!” Clean, cozy, and cute accommodations top their list of recommendations and whenever possible, they feature options that are within walking distance to each of the seven unique artisan locations on the Wine & Spirits Tour. In the next couple of days, explorers will be able to download a free copy of the guide from either ExploreA1A.com or BeachesBarsAndBungalows.com and until then, we thought we’d share a sneak peek of the guide’s A1A-mazing cover. Heartfelt thanks to our friends at Beaches, Bars, and Bungalows for helping us expand the passport experience for A1A explorers everywhere – Peace, Love & A1A!

*1st Explorers to Finish* Chelsea & Kinsley!

August 27, 2016 – Please join us in a huge round of A1A-plause for the first explorers to complete the Passport to Explore A1A: Wine & Spirits Tour! Today these two road warriors picked up their 7th and final passport stamp at Marlin & Barrel Distillery in Fernandina Beach; cheers to Chelsea & Kinsley – you two are A1A-mazing!

Companion-Guide-Free-Download-graphic 300x300 OPTAugust 30, 2016 – Thanks to the A1A-tomic efforts of our friends and Florida travel experts at Beaches, Bars and Bungalows A1A explorers everywhere can expand their passport experience by claiming a free copy of ‘PASSPORT TRAVELER’S COMPANION’ – an insider’s guide to some of coastal Florida’s best kept secrets for places to eat and stay in and around each stop on the recently launched Wine & Spirits Tour.

To get your next epic road trip started simply head to the Wine & Spirits Tour page and grab a passport, download a free copy of the Passport Traveler’s Companion, choose a traveling companion who makes your heart happy and start exploring!

Cheers to the places you’ll go, stories you’ll tell, and the A1A-mazing memories you’ll create along the way; Peace, Love and A1A!

Expore A1A