Over fifty winemakers, world-class Chefs and some 6,000 guests will gather this spring for the 19th Annual Florida Winefest & Auction. The event, to benefit children’s charities, will take place Thursday, April 23rd – Sunday, April 26th.
Considered “America’s Friendliest Wine Festival,” Florida Winefest & Auction has donated over $6.6 million to charities benefiting Florida’s young people. The four-day event will include a variety of options ranging from tastings and seminars to intimate winemaker dinners. The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota will host many of the events including a live auction conducted by David Elswood, International Wine Expert of Christie’s London. This year’s experience will also include Esprit du Cochon, a celebration of heritage swine, cuisine and great wine.
“Florida Winefest & Auction is important – even more so this year and in our economy with both state and local government cutting their budgets for many charitable programs,” said Sandy Loevner, Volunteer Executive Director. “Without our support, some of these programs would end due to lack of funds.” The event will benefit children’s charities such as The Sarasota Family YMCA, The Salvation Army, Children First and the Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County.
Florida Winefest & Auction’s 2009 Honorary Chairs are Florencia Palmaz of Palmaz Vineyards and Tony & JoAnn Truchard of Truchard Vineyards. Participating wineries include Anderson’s Conn Valley, Miner, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Reynolds Family, Pride Mountain Vineyards and more. Chefs include:
Todd Gray, Equinox, Washington, DC
Christopher Covelli, Toscana Saporita Cooking School, Lucca, Italy
Bernard Guillas, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, La Jolla, CA
Philippe Haddad, Country Club of the South, Atlanta, GA
Scotty Schwartz, 29 South, Fernandina Beach, FL
Tickets range in price from $15 to $300, visit www.floridawinefest.org for more information or call 1(800) 216-6199.
Florida Winefest & Auction is a nonprofit organization dedicated to annually raising dollars for children’s charities in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Florida. Since 1991, wine enthusiasts from across the county travel to Sarasota to enjoy exclusive winemaker dinners, auctions and a first class experience all in a pristine beach setting. Florida Winefest & Auction is one of the country’s most popular wine destination events. The volunteer-run organization has donated over $6.6 million dollars to date for over 70 of its beneficiaries.
