For Immediate Release
April 30, 2008
Contact: Todd Vucovich, Executive Director
Destin Charity Wine Auction
(850) 650-3732
Destin, Fl. – Destin, Fl.—Led by honorary chairpersons Garen and Shari Staglin of Staglin Family Vineyard, more than 450 enthusiastic patrons, philanthropists, world-class chefs and acclaimed celebrity vintners opened their best wines, wallets and hearts making the 2008 “Wine and Dine in Paradise” event the most successful to date.
The weekend extravaganza, held April 11th and 12th at the renowned Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, is the pinnacle event for the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and will enhance the lives of countless children through the approximately $825,000 raised by the Foundation this year.
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 (Kosta-Browne), Bob Cabral (Williams Selyem) Julianna Martinelli (Martinelli) and John Holdredge (Holdredge Cellars) along with large format offerings of these vintner’s wines.
“This year’s event was a resounding success. We doubled our patron attendance from
last year and I am especially proud and honored by the tremendous showing of generosity
by our celebrity vintners and chefs as well as attendees who came from across the country and 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 weekend 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.DestinCharityWineAuction.org.
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