The organizers of the first Orlando Wine Festival and Auction, March 15 though 17, have announced the initial list of participating wineries, and it’s a stellar lineup.
The bulk of the 26 wineries are from Napa and Sonoma counties in California, but don’t look for any of the names you’d see on the wine shelves at your local supermarket. They include Accendo Cellars, Lail Vineyards, Peter Michael Winery and Rudd/Edge Hill. Bordeaux wineries Château Cos d’Estournel and Haut Medoc Selection will also be pouring. (See below for the complete list.)
They will take part in the vintner dinners on Friday of the festival, held in private homes, and at the event Saturday at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes.
The Orlando Wine Festival and Auction is to be the Magic’s signature fundraiser for the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. “The Orlando Magic are thrilled to announce these initial 26 exceptional wineries as the first commitments to participate in our Inaugural Orlando Wine Festival and Auction,” said Magic CEO Alex Martins. “Most importantly, we are so excited to have them share in helping a very worthy cause, at-risk youth in Central Florida. We look forward to an amazing weekend of wine, food and charity.”
As previously announced, the list of chefs participating in the event includes:
Akshay Bhardwaj – Executive Chef at Michelin-starred Junoon, New York; Joe Flamm – winner of Bravo TV’s Top Chef Season 15 and Executive Chef at Spiaggia and Café Spiaggia, Chicago; Kevin Fonzo – La Tavola; Scott Hunnel –Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; Tony Mantuano – James Beard Award winner and chef-partner at Michelin-starred restaurant Spiaggia; Brandon McGlamery – Chef/Partner Luma on Park, Prato, Luke’s Kitchen and Bar; Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto; James and Julie Petrakis – The Ravenous Pig; Justin Plank – Executive Chef at Terralina Crafted Italian; Steve Richard – Executive Chef at Paddlefish; and Art Smith – James Beard Award Winner and owner of Homecomin’ at Disney Springs. Each of the chefs will prepare signature dishes at the Friday vintner dinners and cook for guests at the festival on Saturday. The festival will include an outdoor festival featuring live music, live auction displays, wine and food pavilions, along with Magic players and coaches.
Ticket packages are $2,500, $6,500 and $18,500 and can be purchased at wineauctionorlando.com.
The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation is dedicated to helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at-risk, by supporting nonprofit organizations offering youth-based programs in the areas of education, housing/homelessness, the arts, and health programs focused on preventing childhood obesity.
