Florida Winefest & Auction main event takes center stage
The Grand Tasting, Brunch and Charity Auction took place on April 8 on the grounds of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 3:40 p.m. April 8, 2017
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Wine aficionados from all over Florida and even across the continent — two said they came from Toronto — convened April 8 on the grounds of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
Guests at the Florida Winefest & Auction Grand Tasting, Brunch and Charity Auction tasted wines from more than 50 wineries, learned the growing methods of several vintners and sampled brunch bites from numerous local restaurants.
After the brunch, event-goers bid on wines, dinners, travel, jewelry and perhaps most notably, “L’Uva Sangiovese di Montalcino,” a 60’ x 68’ oil on canvas painting that featured festival artist William Kelley produced two years ago after visiting Caparzo Vineyard in Montalcino, Italy.
Joe Fiorentino plays the steel drums at the Florida Winefest & Auction Grand Tasting, Brunch and Charity Auction on April 8 on the grounds of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
Carol Law, Deb Ericson, Kathy Goering, Sharyl Smith and Patti Coit
Piece of Cake served vanilla raspberry cake at the Florida Winefest & Auction Grand Tasting, Brunch and Charity Auction on April 8 on the grounds of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
Jill and Larry Thum
Dr. John Hays and Judy Kepecz-Hays
Rachel Kasztan and John and Karen Kasztan
Matt Wider and Mike Schenk
Jeff Mehler and Sonia Velasco
Jack Glenn and Sheri Chernick
Lauren Power and her mom, Diann Power
Julie Griffin and Allison Kummery
Gabriele Vest and Marci Tooney
Diane and Tony Shaw
Guenther and Elke Edelsbacher with Jeanne and Andrew Marlowe
Deborah and Walton Beacham
Susan and William Kelley
Employees from H20 Bistro at Hotel Indigo served ceviche topped with sweet potato at the Florida Winefest & Auction Grand Tasting, Brunch and Charity Auction on April 8 on the grounds of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
Patrick Madden of Hope Family Wines pours a taste of the winery’s Treana Chardonnay at the Florida Winefest & Auction Grand Tasting, Brunch and Charity Auction on April 8 on the grounds of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
Geier’s Sausage Kitchen employees served smoked pork tenderloin at the Florida Winefest & Auction Grand Tasting, Brunch and Charity Auction on April 8 on the grounds of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
A Whitehall Lane Winery employee pours Whitehall Lane Cabernet from Napa Valley during the Florida Winefest & Auction Grand Tasting, Brunch and Charity Auction on April 8 on the grounds of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
