CHARITY WINE AUCTIONS ANNOUNCE EXCITING EVENTS FOR 2012

Our favorite charity wine auctions in California promise some exhilarating, high energy events this year. Record-setting highs in 2006 and 2007 were followed by the recessionary years of 2008 and 2009, but charity wine auctions began to show signs of economic recovery in 2010 and 2011 and expectations are strong for 2012.

A TASTING OF GROWER CHAMPAGNES AND SPARKLING WINES

The Vienna Wine Company and WineWise Oakland, California presented a tasting of Grower-Producer Champagnes and Sparkling Wines from Terry Theise Estate Selections and WineWise in October at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles.

TWO NEW FOOD AND WINE FESTIVALS ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR THEIR INITIAL EPICUREAN EXTRAVAGANAZAS

Two New Food and Wine Festivals Announce Plans For Their Initial Epicurean Extravaganzas
The First Annual Hawaii Food and Wine Festival Will Take Place on Oahu September 29 – October 1
The First Annual Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival Is Set To Occur October 13 – 16

THE AHWAHNEE ANNOUNCES ITS 30TH ANNUAL VINTNERS’ HOLIDAYS STELLAR LINEUP WITH 33 WORLD-CLASS CALIFORNIA WINERIES

The Ahwahnee, AAA Four-Diamond Hotel, located in beautiful Yosemite Valley, will welcome 33 of California’s leading vintners for its 30th annual Vintners’ Holidays event series, kicking off November 6. Celebrating three decades of excellence in winemaking in the gorgeous setting of Yosemite National Park, Vintners’ Holidays will be held over a series of eight sessions from November 6 to December 8, 2011.

The 21st Annual Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters Generated $1.7 Million For The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The “Midwest Street” backlot at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, once again served as the venue for A Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters, a tasting and hors d’oeuvres extravaganza, on May 14, raising $1.7 Million for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, besting the 2010 total of just under $1.6 Million.

Don’t Miss The 27th Annual Central Coast Wine Classic – Four Event-filled Days In July Celebrating The Wines, Cuisine, Music, Art And Lifestyle Of California’s Central Coast

The Central Coast Wine Classic will hold its 27th annual four-day extravaganza of gastronomic indulgences, celebrating wine, cuisine, music and art in the gorgeous setting of California’s Central Coast with its spectacular ocean views and laidback lifestyle. From Thursday, July 7 through Sunday, July 10, wine enthusiasts will gather at the Avila Beach Resort and other venues in and around the areas of Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo, Shell Beach, Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles and San Simeon.

Charity Wine Auctions Announce Exciting Events for 2011

A Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters, 22nd Annual –

Saturday, May 14, Burbank, California

Vintage Affaire, 29th Annual – Saturday, June 25, Atherton, California

Central Coast Wine Classic, 27th Annual – Thursday, July 7 through Sunday, July 10, Avila Beach, California

St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church Cellar Classic, 2nd Annual –

Saturday, July 30, Los Olivos, California

Recap of Our Favorite Charity Wine Auctions in 2010 and Announcements of 2011 Plans

While most of the charity wine auctions have been struggling in this tough economic climate for the last couple of years, it seems that some have rebounded in 2010. Here are five of our favorite auctions which began rallying last year. The sixth auction listed here was in its successful first year. The 2011 schedule for each of these auctions is also announced.

Yosemite National Park and The Ahwahnee Hold the Spectacular 29th Annual Vintners’ Holiday

Fabulous wine, delicious gourmet cuisine, the majestic Ahwahnee Hotel and the exquisite grandeur of Yosemite National Park in late autumn. Can you imagine a more enticing combination? We certainly couldn’t and obviously we’re not alone. That’s why Yosemite National Park’s Vintners’ Holiday series at The Ahwahnee, celebrating acclaimed winemakers and their exceptional wines, is still a resounding success after 28 years.

A Tasting of Grower Champagnes

The Vienna Wine Company and WineWise Oakland, California presented a tasting of 86 Grower-Producer Champagnes from Terry Theise Estate Selections and WineWise in October at Campanile Restaurant in Los Angeles.

The Champagnes are delicious, hand-crafted and estate-bottled, grown and produced by a vintner or by a family. Generally, the Champagnes imported by Terry Theise sell for about $45-100 for non-vintage and $60-145 for vintage. Theise calls these Grower Champagnes Farmer Fizz because the wines are made by a farmer and offer the individually distinctive flavors of terroir-driven wines.