Patrons to raise glasses in support of public radio at the 21st annual wine-tasting event

February 1, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The 21st Annual A Celebration of Wine Event has gone Southern! Embrace your inner Scarlett O’Hara or Rhett Butler to help celebrate this year’s “Gone with the Wine” event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 21 in the University of Florida’s Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom. A Celebration of Wine is an annual wine tasting and auction for North Central Florida’s public radio stations WUFT-FM and WJUF-FM.

Last year, nearly 700 guests from across the southeast traveled to Gainesville to experience the international flavor of the tasting, which features more than 300 wines from vineyards around the world including the Unites States, France, Germany, Italy, South America and Australia.

Hosted by public radio stations WUFT-FM and WJUF-FM and The Wine & Cheese Gallery, the event showcases both a silent and live auction, with charity auctioneer Michael Roberts from Fine Wine & Spirits in Tampa, overseeing the live event. The auctions will feature individual lots of special-older vintages from participating wineries, wine enthusiasts and the Wine & Cheese Gallery, as well as special bottles and wine-related art by local artists of national acclaim. Additionally, patrons can enjoy culinary treats from The Wine & Cheese Gallery, desserts from Mildred’s Big City Food and coffees from Classic Fare Catering.

Wine selection for the event is coordinated by Wade Tyler and Bunky Mastin, co-owners of The Wine & Cheese Gallery, a full-service wine and gourmet-food store and restaurant that has been serving Gainesville for more than 30 years. The event planning is designed by Keith Watson Productions.

All proceeds harvested from the tasting and auctions will benefit Classic 89 and Nature Coast 90, which provide public and educational broadcasting for 19 counties in North Central and Mid-Florida. Over the years, those who gather to uncork the spirits have raised over $300,000 to continue the stations’ award-winning programming and services.

Tickets, $55 in advance and $60 at the door, will be available at The Wine & Cheese Gallery, 113 N Main Street, Gainesville; Alarion Bank branches, Gainesville and Ocala; Mildred’s Big City Food, Gainesville; Wildbirds Unlimited 4215 NW 16th Boulevard and the WUFT/WJUF stations, located in 2206 Weimer Hall at the University of Florida.

In addition to the wine tasting and auctions, patrons can enjoy the Winemakers’ Dinner at 6:30 p.m. on February 20th at Ti Amo Mediterranean Restaurant. The four-course gourmet meal paired with Italian wines from the Vèscine winery is $100 per person. Reservations are required and seating is limited.

For reservations or more information, call either Sue Wagner at 352-392-5200, ext. 1106, or Wade Tyler at 352-372-8446. Information is also available online at www.celebrationofwine.org.