(Fort Myers, FL – August 17, 2011) — SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. announces the SWFL Wine & Food Fest 2012 weekend event will be held Feb. 24 and 25, 2012, at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club with Northern Trust as its title sponsor. This marks the fourth year with Northern Trust as title sponsor and the fourth year hosted at Miromar Lakes. Last year’s Wine Fest activities netted $1.6 million surpassing its $1 million goal achieving the status of Lee County’s all-time most successful fundraising event.
Since its inception in 2009, the Wine Fest has raised nearly $3.5 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.
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.
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 that helps our community,” said Steve Machiz, M.D., founding chairman of the Wine & Food Fest. “Each year the event raises the bar with the wine offerings, food pairings and auction packages.”
For more information The Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, please go to www.SWFLWineFest.org, or call 239-278-3900.
