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Winefest kicks off weekend with the Winemaker Dinner Party

The Winemaker Dinner Party at Sunset was hosted April 5 at the Sarasota Outboard Club.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 9:45 p.m. April 5, 2018
  • Black Tie
  • Share

The Florida Winefest and Auction kicked-off with the Winemaker Dinner Party at Sunset on April 5 at the Sarasota Outboard Club. 

Upon arrival, guests were given a tumbler filled with a signature cocktail. After making their way under the string lights, they were greeted by chefs from Dry Dock Waterfront Grill (Gecko's Hospitality Group), Mattison's, Siesta Key Oyster Bar and Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi. The chefs collaborated together to serve a variety of bites for dinner. 

The winemakers from nine different wineries were in attendance, giving guests a sample of their wines. 

For dessert, a s'mores bar by the dance floor enticed guests as they danced until the sun set. 

Gerard and Jeanne Ezcurra
Gerard and Jeanne Ezcurra
Alexandra Christ and Trey Desenberg
Alexandra Christ and Trey Desenberg
Lori Carey and Tina Gelmisi
Lori Carey and Tina Gelmisi
Liam McCormick and Dominic Foppoli
Liam McCormick and Dominic Foppoli
S'mores were available for dessert.
S'mores were available for dessert.
Guests enjoyed s'mores after dinner.
Guests enjoyed s'mores after dinner.
Austin Lefebvre and Kim Edelsbacher
Austin Lefebvre and Kim Edelsbacher
Siesta Key Oyster Bar served oysters.
Siesta Key Oyster Bar served oysters.
Nick Yu from Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi prepares a dish.
Nick Yu from Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi prepares a dish.
Each restaurant prepared a dish.
Each restaurant prepared a dish.
Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi served a salmon sushi.
Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi served a salmon sushi.
Jane Ballentine and Joyce Eaton
Jane Ballentine and Joyce Eaton
Stu and Carolyn Burstein dance together.
Stu and Carolyn Burstein dance together.
David and Nikki Curran with Kim and David Rich
David and Nikki Curran with Kim and David Rich
Joe Young and Lisa Brummett
Joe Young and Lisa Brummett
Sam Williamson talks to a guest about his wine.
Sam Williamson talks to a guest about his wine.
Fred Bollaci, Matthew Sturterant and Tracey Thomas
Fred Bollaci, Matthew Sturterant and Tracey Thomas
Michael McMillan and Michael Baldacci from Baldacci Family Vineyards
Michael McMillan and Michael Baldacci from Baldacci Family Vineyards
Gail Zangen and Sarah Marich
Gail Zangen and Sarah Marich
Souls on Soul entertains guests.
Souls on Soul entertains guests.
The band played throughout the evening.
The band played throughout the evening.
Stephanie Brown serves oysters from the Siesta Key Oyster Bar.
Stephanie Brown serves oysters from the Siesta Key Oyster Bar.
Each table had a winemaker sitting amongst the guests.
Each table had a winemaker sitting amongst the guests.
Guests drank wine and tasted food until sunset.
Guests drank wine and tasted food until sunset.
The dinner party was hosted at the Sarasota Outboard Club.
The dinner party was hosted at the Sarasota Outboard Club.
Guests who were
Guests who were "in love" were asked to dance on the dance floor.
Lindy Smith and Nikki Curran
Lindy Smith and Nikki Curran

 

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