“thBaytcisresaotinspgeacniael,vfeunnt (Kosta-Browne), Bob Cabral (
Williams Selyem) Julianna Martinelli
and meaningful, we (Martinelli) and John Holdredge
(Holdredge Cellars) along with large
mhoatvteo ltihveadt ounpetoweoeukr format offerings of these vintner’s
-wines.
“This year’s event was a
end of festivities resounding success. We doubled our
patron attendance from last year
can create a lifetime and I am especially proud and hon-
worth of benefits.” ored by the tremendous showing of
generosity by our celebrity vintners
and chefs as well as attendees who
STEVE AND JOAN CARTER came from across the country and
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation co-presidents from our community to support
our worthy charities,” says Destin Charity Wine Auction
Foundation Executive Director Todd Vucovich.
Through the collaborative efforts of the Foundation’s
passionate and engaged board of directors, staff, event
sponsors, celebrity vintners, acclaimed chefs, and community volunteers, the beneficiary charities of Children
in Crisis, Inc., Ronald McDonald House of Northwest
Florida, Lighthouse Family Retreat and Mattie Kelly Arts
Foundation will utilize the event proceeds to positively
impact children and their families.
“By creating an event that is so special, fun and
meaningful, we have lived up to our motto that one week-
end of festivities can create a lifetime worth of benefits,”
note Foundation co-presidents Steve and Joan Carter.
Next year’s 2009 Wine and Dine in Paradise is scheduled for the weekend of April 23rd through April 25th and
promises to be nothing less than spectacular. For further
information on the event or for information on this year’s
2008 Wine and Dine in Paradise event contact the Destin
Charity Wine Auction Foundation at (850) 650-3732 or
please visit www.DestinCharity WineAuction.org.
WINE AND DINE IN PARADISE
The event, now in its third
year, has become revered as the
quintessential experience for wine
enthusiasts, gourmets and charitable philanthropists by focusing
on outstanding wines, culinary
excellence, renowned hospitality
and most importantly, children
in need.
The “Wine and Dine in Paradise” extravaganza included the
signature Patron Dinners, hosted
in the most exquisite private
homes along the Emerald Coast.
These private dinner parties paired
celebrity vintners with internationally recognized chefs to
forge an unforgettable evening rich in flavor, taste and excitement. Highlighting the weekend was the centerpiece
event, the charity Walkabout and Auction, where more
than 450 participants feverishly raised a glass in one hand
and a bidding paddle in the other for the chance to secure
extraordinary one-of-kind items.
Numerous auction lots went for over $20,000 including a first-ever vertical of Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon 6 liters plus a multi-night stay and lunch with Garen
and Shari Staglin; a barrel of Leal Vineyards’ Godsend; a
tropical Costa Rican vacation for ten with countless amenities; four 9 Liters of one-of-a-kind 2005 Williams Selyem
Destin Charity Auction Cuvee Pinot Noir along with
dinner for eight with Bob and Heather Cabral at one of
Sonoma County’s finest restaurants, Cyrus; and a 9 liter of
Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve along with a multiple
night stay at Domaine Serene’s guest house. However,
as the final gavel fell, the top bid of the evening, $30,000,
went for an auction lot featuring multiple days of lunches,
tours and dinners with Russian River vintners Dan Kosta
