2016 Florida Winefest & Auction March 17-20

Fair warning, the Florida Winefest and Auction is quickly approaching, so you can't blame me if you don't get tickets before it sells out. And it will, as it has every year. This year is going to be better than ever. My favorite part of the Winefest isn't the wine, or the food, though both are spectacular. My favorite part is that the money raised benefits children's charities in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. (Yes, part of your ticket is tax deductible!)

A four-day Winefest? Yes! And all the events are just a little bit different, so you can attend them all!

The VIP package is the best way to experience all the Florida Winefest and Auction has in store. You'll get one (1) ticket each to Friday Bayfront Lunch-Tasting, Friday night Banquet on the Block, Saturday Grand Tasting, Brunch & Charity Auction and Sunday Wine on the Water. You will also be recognizes as Patron on Sponsor page of website and in Program Book, receive complimentary valet parking for Friday Lunch Tasting & Saturday Grand Tasting, Brunch & Charity Auction and reserved/premium seating at Charity
Auction, which is so much fun! Buy VIP tickets.

Florida Winefest Wine & Winemaker Dinners

There are six Wine & Winemaker Dinners this year. All dinners take place on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 6:30pm

Choose your favorite venue:

Covelli/Jung Private Residence is already SOLD OUT!
Winery: Williamson Wines

Mattison’s Forty-One
Winery: Banfi Vintners
Purchase Tickets

Banfi Vintners is known as America’s leading wine importer for over three decades. VP of Wine Education Sharron McCarthy is an industry legend known as “America’s First Lady of Wine Education. ” She joins the equally passionate Chef Paul Mattison and his culinary team as they offer the perfect pairings of wine and food that promises an unmatched evening dining experience you will remember for many years to come.

7275 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
7.4 miles from Downtown
$125.00 per person ($62.50 tax deductible

McComb Private Residence
Wineries: Quixote Winery & Y Rousseau Wines
Purchase Tickets

Enjoy spectacular views of Sarasota Bay at this exquisite waterfront home. Chef Paul Mattison and his culinary team have perfectly matched this 5-course dinner with the sumptuous wines of Quixote Winery and Y Rousseau Wines, both of Napa, California. Yannick Rousseau, owner and winemaker of Y Rousseau Wines and Damon Bailey, winemaker of Quixote Winery will be sharing their philosophies and successes as the sun sets on Sarasota Bay. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience perfect wines and food that complement a perfect venue.

Oyster Bay Area
4.9 miles from Downtown
$175.00 per person ($87.50 tax deductible)

Roast Restaurant
Winery: Saddleback Cellars
Purchase Tickets

Nestle into the charming private “Library” at Roast Sarasota for a very unique dinner featuring the award-winning wines of Saddleback Cellars. Nils Venge, owner and winemaker is excited to be sharing his evening with you and will entertain you with some history of his wines and winery. Make new friends and savor small-batch wines perfectly paired with a 5-course dinner prepared by well-known and highly-respected Chef Andrew Thompson, proprietor of Roast. Chef Thompson has appeared as a guest chef on The Food Network and Good Morning America, and is anxiously waiting to display his culinary talent at this remarkable dinner.

1296 First Street
Downtown Sarasota
$125.00 per person ($62.50 tax deductible

The Francis/ Louies Modern
Winery: Shadowbox Cellars
Purchase Tickets

Shadowbox Cellars, a very boutique and fabulous winery making premium wines will be showcasing the best of the best in the warm and inviting private dining room at The Francis/Louies Modern. In attendance representing Shadowbox Cellars will be co-proprietors, Monty & Sara Preiser. Shadowbox Cellar’s Chardonnay and Pinot Noir just won Double Gold Medals at the prestigious American Fine Wine Competition. Chefs Joey Eagan and Jose Rojas will perfectly pair this multi-course dinner with Shadowbox’s much sought after wines that will make your palate dance. Don’t miss this special opportunity, as this dinner is sure to be the talk of the town!

1289 N. Palm Avenue
Downtown Sarasota
$125.00 per person ($62.50 tax deductible)

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
Culinary Innovation Lab
Winery: Azienda Agricola Mazzone
Purchase Tickets

If you are looking for something fun, informative, different and delicious, join Chef Garry Colpitts and his up and coming culinary team at this state-of-the-art teaching facility in Lakewood Ranch. Chef Colpitts and his culinary students will rock your world and your taste buds as they present an interactive multi-course “Puglia Style” dinner perfectly paired with one Azienda Agricola Mazzone’s exciting varietal wines and extra virgin olive oils from the enchanting southern Italian province of Puglia. Francesco Mazzone, owner and winemaker, is coming straight from his home in Italy, as he would not miss this opportunity to showcase his most prized possessions and make new friends.

8130 Lakewood Main Street, Lakewood Ranch
11.7 miles from Downtown
$125.00 per person ($62.50 tax deductible)

Bayfront Showcase Lunch – Tasting on Sarasota Bay

Enter a wine-and-food paradise under the elegant Winefest tent adjacent to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Excite your palate tasting fine wines from our participating wineries and experience taste sensations provided by some of the best food purveyors in Florida. Meet and mingle with winemakers and winery representatives showcasing their most sought-after wines. I've been able to attend this the last two years and it's so much fun, right on the water of the gorgeous bay!

Banquet on the Block