A toast to celebrity and charity, the second annual Orlando Wine Festival & Auction March 13-15 raises the bar for fundraising events in Central Florida. Featuring renowned chefs, celebrated winemakers from around the globe and an over-the-top wine auction, the three-day extravaganza is on par with some of America’s top charity wine auctions putting the spotlight on worthy causes.
“It’s the cause that matters most,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “The festival is a new way to bring our community together and showcase the impact of the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, committed to helping at-risk kids in Central Florida.”
Over the last 29 years, more than $24 million has been distributed by the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) to local nonprofit community organizations.
The delicious weekend kicks off Friday, March 13, with vintner-hosted dinners in homes across Central Florida featuring award-winning chefs and exceptional winemakers from around the globe sharing their finest.
Saturday, March 14, takes the party to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, for a festive party on the lawn where guests can sample dozens of wines and feast on signature dishes as they mingle with winemakers, celebrity chefs and Orlando Magic players and coaches. The evening ends with dinner and a wine auction of exclusive experiences, from exotic travel to rare wines. Last year the event raised $900,000 for the foundation and the Central Florida youth, and this year’s auction promises to be just as exciting with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and extraordinary wines.
On Sunday, March 15, guests are treated to an Orlando Magic game as they take on the Charlotte Hornets. To celebrate the fundraising success of the weekend, guests are invited to the OMYF grant ceremony (date pending).
The event also includes a week of online bidding beginning March 8 and closing March 16.
For tickets and more information, visit wineauctionorlando.com or email OMYF@orlandomagic.com.
Meet the Chefs
Restaurateur and TV personality Chef Michael Symon headlines the all-star lineup of chefs for the festival weekend, creating spectacular vintner dinners on Friday night, and cooking and mingling with guests at the Saturday afternoon outdoor wine festival.
A regular on the Food Network and an Iron Chef winner, Symon is chef and owner of five restaurants in Cleveland (Lola, Mabel’s BBQ and BSPot), Detroit (Michael Symon’s Roast) and Atlantic City (Borgata). Symon is joined by these award-winning chefs:
Chef Gabriel Kreuther, Gabriel Kreuther, New York; Chef Art Smith, best known locally for his Homecomin’ restaurant at Disney Springs and a multiple James Beard award winner; Chef Akshay Bhardwaj, executive chef at Junoon in New York City; Chef Melissa Kelly, Primo restaurant in Rockland, Maine, and Primo at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes; Chef Brandon McGlamery, Luma on Park and Prato, Winter Park; Chefs James and Julie Petrakis, owners of multiple restaurants around Central Florida: The Ravenous Pig, Cask & Larder, Polite Pig and The Ravenous Pig Brewing Company; Chef Kathleen Blake, previously of Orlando’s The Rusty Spoon and now a consulting chef; Chef Jamie McFadden, executive chef and founder of Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine & Events, Orlando.
MEET THE WINEMAKERS
The lineup includes:
• Featured Vintner – Dr. Madaiah Revana of Revana Family
Vineyard, Napa
• Casa Piena Vineyards, Napa
• Dakota Shy Wines, Napa
• Gracianna Winery, Sonoma
• Hourglass Winery, Napa
• O’Brien Estate Winery, Napa
• Penfolds Wine, Australia
• Peter Michael Winery, Napa
• Relic Wine Cellars, Napa
• Roy Estate, Napa
• Rudd Winery, Napa
WEEKEND DETAILS
Friday: Vintner Dinner
Saturday: Wine Festival & Auction
Sunday: Orlando Magic Game
GRAND CRU PACKAGE
FOR 2: $9,250
• Vintner dinner on Fri., March 13 with priority selection of home
• Wine festival with VIP lounge on
Sat., March 14
• Live auction and after party on
Sat., March 14
• Ultimate tickets to Orlando
Magic basketball game including food & beverage with access to Fields Ultimate Lounge in the Amway Center on Sun., March 15
• VIP gifts
• Hotel accommodations for two nights
• Private car service to Friday and Saturday events
• Invitation to the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation grant ceremony, to be held at a later date
PREMIER CRU PACKAGE FOR 2: $6,500
• Vintner dinner on Fri., March 13
• Wine festival on Sat., March 14
• Live auction and after party on
Sat., March 14
• Orlando Magic basketball game on Sun., March 15
• VIP gifts
• Private car service to Friday and Saturday events
• Invitation to the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation grant ceremony, to be held at a later date
RESERVE CRU PACKAGE FOR 2: $2,500
• Wine festival on Sat., March 14
• Live auction and after party on
Sat., March 14
• Invitation to the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation grant ceremony, to be held at a later date
IT’S ALL FOR THE KIDS!
Your support benefits the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation
The not-for-profit Orlando Magic Youth Foundation is committed to helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at risk, by supporting programs and partnerships that empower families and change lives.
OMYF fundraising events and programs like the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction have raised more than $24 million since its inception in 1990. Other fundraisers include the OMYF Open Golf Tournament, State of Florida License Plate Program, employee giving campaigns and online and in-game silent auctions.
The foundation was created with no administrative costs, so 100 percent of gifting goes directly to benefit children and families in need throughout Central Florida.
For more information, email OMYF@orlandomagic.com or call 407-916-2644.
