Festival at Sandpoint hosting annual Wine Fest fundraiser
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 8 years, 6 months AGO
(Courtesy photo)The Festival at Sandpoint will holding its annual Wine Festival at Sandpoint Friday, April 27, at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. The annual fundraising event starts at 5:30 p.m. and features wine tasting, musical entertainment, a five-star gourmet dinner, raffle opportunities and a special selection of silent and live auction items.
Sandpoint folks know that The Festival at Sandpoint takes place in August but the Wine Festival at Sandpoint takes place on Friday, April 27, at the Bonner County Fairgrounds! The annual fundraising event starts at 5:30pm, featuring wine tasting, musical entertainment by Browne Salmon Truck, a five-star gourmet dinner catered by Dish at Dover Bay, exciting raffle opportunities and a special selection of silent and live auction items. Following tradition, The 2018 Festival at Sandpoint poster artist will also be revealed during the festivities, and all attendees are automatically entered in a free drawing to win the grand prize, two Festival at Sandpoint season passes. Proceeds will benefit the non-profit Festival’s educational programs including Instrument Assistance Program, 5th Grade Outreach, Youth Strings Orchestra, Festival Community Orchestra, Family Concert, Summer Music Camp and music scholarships.
The wine tasting portion of the event is presented by Dave Vermeer of Jalapeno’s with over 100 wines donated by five generous wine distributors: Idaho Wine Merchants, Vehrs, Click, Hayden Beverage and Southern Glaziers of Idaho. Sandpoint’s own Pend d’Oreille Winery is also featured in the wine tasting as well as providing wine for dinner, along with Woodward Canyon Winery.
“If you love really good wine, you don’t want to miss this tasting line-up from the region’s premier wine distributors,” said Board Member and Wine Committee Co-Chair Dave Vermeer. “We are also excited to announce that, new this year, guests will be able to purchase bottles of their favorites to take home that evening or enjoy at the event.”
Featured wineries include: Barrister, Bookwalter, Borne of Fire, BR Cohn, Browne, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cherry Pie, Clearwater Canyon, Colter’s Creek, Cosentino, Crossbarn, Duckhorn, Dusted Valley, Felino, Goldeneye, Intrinsic, Januik, Joseph Drouhin, K Vintners, L’Ecole, Le Monde, Mercer Estates, Milbrandt, Morgan, Nicolas Potel, Novelty Hill, O’Neill Family Wines, Paraduxx, Pend d’Oreille, Quady, Rombauer, Saviah, Sokol Blosser, The Walls, Trentadue, Treveri and Varvlione.
The live auction is packed with unique items including impossible-to-get Zags tickets, a Schweitzer family ski pass package for 4, a fly fishing trip, premier blanket placement at your Festival concert of choice, an Epic Music Pass for 2 for The Festival at Sandpoint and The Aftival at the Hive, and exciting travel packages including a weekend trip to Seattle for a Seahawk football game with a framed, autographed Russ Wilson photo, and a dream vacation to the Big Island of Hawaii.
“It’s a great time for a good cause. I guarantee you will be surrounded by fine wine, fun tunes, fabulous food and friendly folks.” said Festival Executive Director Dyno Wahl.
Tickets are $95 per person including wine tasting, dinner and a complimentary Riedel crystal wine glass. Premier Sponsor Tables for 8 with special benefits are available for $1,200. Minimum age for this event is 21.
The Festival announced its summer line-up earlier this month for August 2-12, featuring: Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Amos Lee, ZZ Top, Greensky Bluegrass, Sublime with Rome, Phillip Phillips, Gavin DeGraw and the Spokane Symphony.
Tickets are available for the Wine Fest event and for all festival concerts online at FestivalAtSandpoint.com., at 208-265-4554, at the Festival office, 525 Pine St., in downtown Sandpoint.