Local Wine Events

The Greater Brandon Community Foundation Presents

The Second Annual Southern Charm Wine & Food Gala

Brandon, Fl – July 3, 2009 -- The Greater Brandon Community Foundation’s second annual Southern Charm Wine and Food Gala is October 9 – 10, 2009 benefiting the Greater Brandon Community Foundation’s registered charities.

“This year is going to be unbelievable!  We’ve really surpassed our expectations for our second Annual event,” said Chairwoman Cindy Griffin of Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida.

The benefit event starts Friday, October 9 with an exclusive Smoker night at the Seminole Hard rock Hotel and Casino hosted by Floyds Restaurant and Fuentes Cigars.  “It is a distinguished evening of great food, cognacs and cigars and, if you are a cigar aficionado, this is one of the most exclusive and premier events in Tampa!” stated John Fontana, General Manager of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “You don’t want to miss it.”  The cost of the Smoker is $2,500 per person and includes complimentary high-end gifts and cigars for guests.  “A limited number of tickets will be available for this event to keep the atmosphere intimate and delightful to all who attend,” said Griffin.

On Saturday, October 10, 2009 the Southern Charm Wine & Food Gala will take place at the Pepin Centre, one of Tampa Bay’s newest and most beautiful venues.  As a precursor to the Gala Event, the evening begins with an epicurean Vintners Wine Tasting from 6-7 p.m. with specialty wines from Vintners along with tidbits to cleanse the pallets.  Following the Vintners Tasting, the Gala will take place from 7-10 p.m. featuring only the finest restaurants in Tampa Bay, the best wines, and great entertainment.  There will also be a “History of Beer” seminar by Pepin’s experts and a “Wine 101” seminar by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida.  The evening, full of silent and live auctions, will also have a makeup artist from Macy’s Lancôme, equipped with a lipstick collection, for touch ups to keep a fresh look for ladies all evening.  For those who want to continue to indulge in selective cigars, the Pepin Centre’s Gazebo and Patio will be available.

“At 10 p.m. we will magically transform the Grand Ballroom into a sparkling Champagne Bash like you’ve never seen!” said Griffin.  “Guests will be offered to purchase their Champagne glasses for a chance to win an unset Diamond.  The evening will continue with live music until 1:00 a.m.”  The cost for Saturday is $125 per person, inclusive of all three events to take place at the Wine & Food Gala.

“This event is one of our premier events to raise money for our registered charities and we couldn’t do it without our wonderful sponsors like the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Morgan Stanley at J.P. Morgan, The Pepin Distribution Company, Lexus of Tampa Bay, AutoWay Dealers of Tampa Bay, Macy’s, and Southern Wine and Spirits of Florida,” said Brandon Foundation Co-Founder and President Anne Nymark.  “Don’t miss out on this entertaining weekend full of ambiance, luxury, fun, excitement and epicurean delights, all for a good cause,” added Foundation Co-Founder and Vice President Arlene Waldron.

For information about the Greater Brandon Community Foundation, visit brandonfoundation.org.  For more information about the Second Annual Southern Charm Wine & Food Gala and to reserve your tickets please visit www.southerncharmwineandfoodgala.org or call the Brandon Foundation at 813-689-6889. All proceeds go to the Greater Brandon Community Foundation Charities.

The second annual Southern Charm Wine and Food Gala will be held on October 9-10, 2009 at the Pepin Hospitality Center in Tampa, Florida.