About Us

St. Augustine Spanish Food & Wine Festival logo, presented by Bank of America.
man in blue shirt with bokeh background

Festival Chair

Nick Massie

Nicholas Claude Massie was born and raised in Cape May, New Jersey. Nick grew up in the food and beverage industry, beginning in his grandparents' candy stores, Laura's Fudge, making candy.  He graduated from Lower Cape May Regional High School with honors in 2005, and moved to Saint Augustine to attend Flagler College.

At Flagler, Nick entered in 2005 as a dual Communications Major focusing on Journalism & Public Relations.  While attending, he was an editor for Flagler's News Paper, The Gargoyle.  Nick studied under Brian Thompson and headed as editor of the Sports pages as well as the Arts & Entertainment pages in addition to having his own column feature.  

 It was while attending college that Nick entered the St. Augustine culinary scene; he started working at the Palm Cafe & Bistro as a server and line cook, eventually moving up to the role of Dining Room manager.  He left the Palm Cafe to work with the Casa Blanca Inn, where he opened The Tini Martini Bar and served as the bar manager for several years until moving into his new role at Collage. 

In 2012, Nick began his own venture and opened Blackfly The Restaurant with a team of partners. Today, Nick is the Managing Partner of Blackfly The Restaurant as well as General Manager of Collage Restaurant.  He is also still very active with Flagler College, serving on the Hospitality & Tourism Management Advisory Board as well as the FCTHS Culinary Programs Board and acting Chairman of the St. Augustine Spanish Food & Wine Festival.

about

St. Augustine history encompasses many cultures and ethnicities, but our primary history involves Spanish exploration and colonization. When Pedro Menéndez and the first 800 European settlers landed on our shore nearly 454 years ago, his ships carried survival provisions. Among his most treasured stores was Spanish wine.

Spain has cultivated wine grapes for more than 4,000 years. The Romans fell in love with Spanish wine and exported it throughout the Roman Empire. Spanish wine is the most popular wine in Europe and the fastest-growing segment of the American wine market. The St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival is an opportunity to promote our city regionally, nationally and internationally, to help local charities and connect with our founders through products that are as relevant today as they were when the early Spanish explorers came to America.

Spanish culture, music, food and wine defy space and time. The festival and all of its events are designed to promote St. Augustine as the Spanish Wine Capitol of America and to facilitate historical-destination tourism.

MIssion

The festival's mission is to connect St. Augustine to our city’s Spanish history through a series of special events that feature Spanish wine, cuisine and culture. The festival serves to raise money for local charities, provide memorable experiences for visitors, foster international economic development, and enrich the quality of life in our community.

Seafood platter with crab legs, shrimp, oysters, lemon wedges, and various sauces.

Board of directors

Questions?