Two years ago, the stage was set for the second annual Orlando Wine Festival & Auction, hosted by the Orlando Magic and benefitting its Youth Foundation. Approximately 600 people were expected to attend, with highlights including a dinner hosted by celebrity chef Michael Symon and a concert by Boyz II Men.
And then, well, you know.
Now the event is being revived and will take place Saturday, March 19, at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Orlando. Can we still call it the second annual when the first one was three years ago?
Events include an outdoor wine festival from 4 to 6 p.m. on the hotel’s expansive Da Vinci Lawn; a live auction from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom; followed by a celebratory dinner and entertainment.
Tickets are sold as a package and begin at $2500, which includes two tickets to the wine festival, live auction and after party, and two tickets to Sunday’s Magic game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The outdoor festival will feature live music and auction displays, local and celebrity chefs, wineries, and food pavilions, along with Magic players and coaches. Chefs and restaurants to be featured include: Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen; Bryce Shuman, Sweetbriar; Carlito Jocson, Yard House; James and Julie Petrakis, The Ravenous Pig; Jamie McFadden, Cuisiniers Catering; and Matthew Gallagher, Season’s 52.
Participating wineries include: Accendo Cellars, Antinori Wines, Badia a Coltibuono, Beaulieu Vineyards, Black Stallion Winery, Broken Earth Winery, Casa Piena, Catena Zapata, Christophe Buisson, Dakota Shy, Etude Winery, Fulldraw Vineyard, Gracianna Wines, Harmony by Boyz II Men, Harumph Wines, Hourglass Wines, Jackson Family Wines, Knights Bridge, La Crema, Law Estate, Matua Wines, O’Brien Winery, Outpost Wines, Penfolds, Peter Michael Winery, RELIC Cellars, Revana Family Vineyard, Rudd Estate, Smith Devereux, Whispering Oaks Winery, and Z. Alexander Brown.
There has been no mention of Boyz II Men.
The event benefits the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, which is committed to helping children in Central Florida, especially those most at risk, realize their full potential 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.
For more details and to purchase tickets visit the Orlando Wine Festival and Auction website.