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BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (Nov. 2, – 2011) — The 2012 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest officially kicks off with the signature vintner dinner Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs. Benovia Winery was selected to as the signature vintner of the fundraising event Feb. 24 and 25, 2012 in private homes and at the Grand Tasting and Auction at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club.

The evening will begin with a reception at 6:15 p.m. hosted by the wine and food trustees. At 7 p.m., Angelina’s, Southwest Florida’s premier Italian dining experience, will serve a four-course dinner featuring a menu planned to complement exclusive Benovia vintages.

“We are thrilled that this is the third year Angelina’s has been the signature vintner sponsor of the festival,” said Dr. Steve Machiz, chairman of the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Festival’s organizing charity, SWFL Children’s Charities Inc. “The signature vintner dinner is the perfect way to inspire everyone to get involved in next year’s festival.”

The cost of the dinner is $109 (plus tax and gratuity) per person and reservations are required by calling 239-277-3269.

Owned by the husband and wife team of Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane and their partner, Winemaker Mike Sullivan, Benovia Winery handcrafts fine Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Zinfandels using grapes grown in three unique vineyards located in California’s Russian River Valley AVA and Sonoma County AVA. Since its establishment in 2005, Benovia Winery has been earning high praise from both wine enthusiasts and publications. Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast , Ken’s Wine Guide, and International Wine Cellar all rate Benovia’s wines among the best that California has to offer.

The Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest is a signature event of the SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides funding to local charities serving local children. One of Southwest Florida’s most successful fundraising events, it raised more than $1.2 million in 2011. For more information, visit swflwinefest.org or call 239-278-3900.

Conveniently situated in Bonita Springs, Angelina’s Ristorante, the 210-seat award-winning restaurant, serves classic Italian cuisine and features a 30-foot wine tower with more than 3,500 bottles of domestic and international wine. Committed to excellence, the restaurant is ideal for a romantic meal for three or a private party for 50. Two private meeting rooms are equipped to handle audiovisual presentations with state-of-the-art technology and customized menus are available for every event.

Angelina’s Ristorante is located at 24041 South Tamiami Trail, one mile south of Coconut Point. For more information, call 239-390-3187 or visit www.angelinasofbonitasprings.com.