 The Florida Winefest & Auction is an annual
event held in Sarasota. The Winefest is a four-day food
and wine extravaganza and auction that benefits many local
charities. In addition to hundreds of wineries, many
business donate products and services for the auction. This
annual event has raised more than $5 million for local
charities.
Ritz
Carlton Hotel
Hyatt Regency Hotel
More Sarasota Hotels
Charities
that have benefited from the Florida Winefest and Auction
include:
•Asolo Center for the Performing Arts,
Inc.
•Big Brothers Big Sisters of the •Suncoast, Inc.
•Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County
•Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County
•Child Development Center
•Child Protection Center
•Children First
•Children's Haven and Adult Community Services Inc. (CHAC)
•Family Counseling Center
•Family Partnership Center of Manatee County
•Florida Studio Theater
•Florida West Coast Symphony
•Forty Carrots Family Center
•Gulf Coast Marine Institute, Inc.
•Gulf Coast Marine Institute-South
•Hope Family Services
•Humane Society of Sarasota County
•Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation •Sarasota / Manatee
Chapter
•Laurel Civic Association
•Manatee Children's Services
•Manatee County Girl's Club, INC., Just for Girls
•Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, Inc. - Retired Senior
Volunteer Program
•Mothers Helping Mothers
•Police Athletic League of Sarasota County, Inc. (PAL)
•Resurrection House
•Safe Place & Rape Crisis Center, SPARCC
•Sarasota Ballet of Florida
•Special Olympics Manatee County, Inc. 2002 Swim Program
•The Women's Legal Fund of Sarasota County, Inc.
•Volunteer Services of Manatee County
•YMCA Children, Youth & Family Services
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The festival
kicks off on Thursday, April 27, with a Winemaker Dinner at
the Ritz Carlton.
• Thursday evening winemaker
dinners take place in private homes and restaurants all
around Sarasota.
• Friday the Suncoast-Lunch
Tasting and seminars are held and Friday evening the Gala
Wine Dinner Dance will take place at the Ritz-Carlton
Ballroom. Dinner, accompanied by fantastic wines, is
followed by music and dancing.
• On Saturday afternoon the main
event of the week, the charity wine auction at the Ritz Carlton is
held. Wine and food is served. The four-day
celebration closes on Sunday afternoon as a wine tasting is held on
St. Armands CircleSchedule:
Thursday, April 22
Trade Event - Private Wine Tasting
Winemaker Dinners - Unique food and wine pairings offered in
perfectly planned settings
Friday, April 23
The Showcase Food & Wine Tasting
A sampling of food and wine at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. 11:00 am
- 2:00 pm
Food and Wine Seminars - featured at various locations in and around
Sarasota
Friday Night Dinner and Dance - The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota 6:30 pm -
Midnight Price
Saturday, April 29
The Grand Brunch & Charity Auction - The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. 11
am - 1 pm - Grand Tasting, 1:30 pm - 5 pm Live Charity Auction
Sunday, April 30
Sip & Sounds, Wine & Wheels - a leisurely afternoon al fresco wine
tasting at Phillippi Estate Park. 1 pm - 5 pm (Tickets are
available for purchase at the event)
For ticket information call
1-877-FLA-WINE (352-9463) |
