"Winter Wine Gala was a hit" by Winemaker's Journal

Winter Wine Gala was a hit

Blog: Winemaker's Journal

January 28, 2013

The Winter Wine Gala netted over $5,000 for the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center Saturday night.

And it was a heck of a lot of fun for the more 200 paid attendees who filled the museum's remodeled main floor and event center.

Museum director Brenda Abney said the gala was one of the best attended events the museum has held, drawing far more participants than in recent years. This was the 10th year of the annual gala, an important fundraiser for the museum.

Abney said profits came from ticket sales and wine sales, as well as sponsor donations. All of the vendors — 16 wineries and 8 restaurants and shops — donated their time and products. Several musical groups and singers — jazz, classical and western — also donated their time.

Wineries included winners from Foothill magazine's 2012 North Central Washington Wine Awards. Restaurants included winners in Foothill magazine's Dream Meal competition.

Visconti's restaurant was there with its newly won Washington Restaurant of the Year Award from the Washington Wine Commission — and some amazing risotto with braised capicola.

The event has been more fun than profit makers in recent years, Abney said. With budget cuts threatening the museum's future, she said this was a good year to bring in some money while thanking museum volunteers, contributors and sponsors with a really good time.

"We couldn't have done it without all their help," she said.

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alex39 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Winter Wine Gala was a hit

Indeed, it was a grand and glorious GALA, and Rick, remember, Fielding Hills winery also donated and had a presence. They were by choice no present at the 2012 Foothills magazine's Wine Awards, but two of their wines were available for tasting Saturday night. I know you knew that, because I poured a taste for you then.