The Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest is a two-day event that begins with chef/vintner dinners in private homes throughout Southwest Florida and concludes with a Grand Tasting and Auction the following day. The Grand Tasting features gastronomic delights from more than a dozen of the region’s finest chefs along with signature wines from California, Oregon and other popular wine regions. The 2011 signature vintner is Napa Valley’s Staglin Family Vineyard. Over the last two years, the event has raised $1.75 million net for Southwest Florida Children’s Charities’ primary beneficiary The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, Edison State College’s pediatric nursing program and Florida Gulf Coast University’s endowed scholarship for pre-medical students pursuing study in pediatrics.(Fort Myers, FL November 22, 2010) — SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. announced Northern Trust is continuing its support of Southwest Florida’s Wine & Food Fest 2011 as title sponsor. The weekend event will be held Feb. 25 and 26, 2011. This marks the fourth year that Northern Trust has served as title sponsor for the event.
In announcing the sponsorship, Fort Myers Northern Trust President, Sandy Robinson said, “We are committed to improving the quality of life here in Lee County through our support of organizations and events including Southwest Florida Children’s Charities and The Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest.”
In addition to Northern Trust, the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest is sponsored by Miromar Lakes, Lee Memorial Health System, Saks Fifth Avenue, Grandeur Magazine and the News-Press Media Group, Gulfshore Life Magazine, and Gulfshore Business Magazine as well as several private donors.
“The Wine & Food Fest has been successful because it combines wonderful food and fine wine with an exciting fundraising event,” said Steve Machiz, M.D., founding chairman of the Wine & Food Fest. “Each year the auction packages have become more enticing, causing bidders to ramp up their bids on auction items. The live auction, with a skilled, professional auctioneer is another key to making this one of the most successful fundraising events in Southwest Florida each year.”
The Northern Trust Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest Grand Tasting will be hosted at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club on the afternoon of Feb. 26, 2011. Tickets for the Chef Vintner Dinners are limited.
For tickets or more information on the Northern Trust Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, please go to www.SouthwestFloridaWineFest.org, or call 239-278-3900.
