The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas Contributes More Than $100,000 to Charitable Beneficiaries in 2014

30th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction Set for April 11 at Four Seasons Austin

“The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas is a statewide organization that recognizes and develops creativity, professionalism and research in all areas of the culinary and viticulture arts.”
- AUSTIN BUSINESS JOURNAL

(AUSTIN, TX) -- The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas (aka WFFT), a membership nonprofit that uses its passion for wine and food to better the health and well-being of its community by hosting public wine and food events, donated more than $100,000 to Texas nonprofits in 2014.

The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas’ philanthropic focus enriches its community and state by awarding scholarships to culinary arts students, providing funds to the annual Texas Sommelier Conference and giving to other worthy organizations through the foundation’s grants awards program. To carry out its mission, The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas hosts unrivaled, first-rate wine and food events, entertaining and educating both members and the public in the value, creativity and craftsmanship inherently present in the culinary and viticulture arts. Over the last 29 years, The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas has donated nearly $2 million to charitable causes.

In 2014, the WFFT donated to multiple beneficiaries, including:

- Austin Food for Life: a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping food and beverage industry professionals, including farmers and artisans, access affordable healthcare solutions.

- Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas: Serving a 46-county area and beyond, Dell Children’s is the premier healthcare provider for children and adolescents and the only dedicated freestanding pediatric facility in the region.

- The Sustainable Food Center: A nonprofit organization that cultivates healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food.

- The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Viticulture and Fruit Lab: which provides the Texas wine / grape industry with research into disease-resistant pathogens, namely Pierce’s Disease and Cotton Root Rot, which have been detrimental to vineyard production across the state.

- The Texas Sommelier Association (TEXSOM): formed in 2005 to promote and raise public awareness of professional wine service standards as well as outline paths for furthering wine education and sommelier certification.

“The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas invested more than $100,000 in our mission to support wine and food-related education and the general health and well-being of our community,” comments WFFT Board President Mark Shilling. “With the help of our membership and supporters, we raised $42,850 for Dell Children’s Hospital through the 29th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction, and contributed tens of thousands more to four Texas-based, nonprofit organizations supporting health and education in the life cycle of food and wine. In addition, we continue to support the ongoing educational development of both chefs and sommeliers throughout the state.”

On Saturday, April 11, WFFT will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Rare & Fine Wine Auction at Austin’s Four Seasons Hotel. As one of the nation’s largest auctions of its kind, the black-tie event will draw 350 wine connoisseurs eager to find rare bottles to add to their private fine wine collections.

Showcasing exquisite wines from around the world and the inspired culinary styling of top local chefs, the Rare & Fine Wine Auction will kick off with a sparkling auction lot preview reception hosted by The Donum Estate’s Anne Moller-Racke -- the event’s Featured Winemaker -- who will pour selections of the vineyard’s highly regarded Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Directly following, guests will be seated for a four-course dinner featuring an impressive wine selection presented by a team of Austin’s best sommeliers. The highlight of the evening each year is the electrifying live auction where spirited bidders compete for rare and fine wines as well as other luxury packages all in support of The Rare & Fine Wine Auction’s 2015 beneficiaries. For full details and to purchase tickets and tables, visit this location.

“While our charity auction has evolved over the past 30 years, we remain committed to hosting an elegant gala that raises money for important causes,” comments Daniel Bleier, chairperson of WFFT’s Auction Committee. “Now the largest live auction in Austin, our event has become an institution in Austin, bringing together a community of people who share a passion for philanthropy and fine wine.”

To kick off Auction Weekend, Austin’s legendary Franklin Barbecue will fire up its smokers on Thursday, April 9, exclusively for The Wine & Food Foundation. Join fellow oenophiles for some of the finest brisket, ribs, sausage and fixins to be found anywhere, complemented by BBQ friendly wines selected by the Auction Committee. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased now at this location.

Full weekend details for The Wine & Food Foundation’s Rare & Fine Wine Auction can be found at the WFFT website: www.winefoodfoundation.org.

30th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction
Presented by The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas
When: Saturday, April 11 @ 5:30 PM
Where: Four Seasons Austin (98 San Jacinto Blvd.)
Tickets: $250 Individual, $2,500 Tables of 12, $3,500 & $5,000 VIP Tables of 12 with rare wine list and dedicated sommelier service. Purchase online at WineFoodFoundation.org, or by phone (512) 327-7555.

The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas’ Executive Director Peggy Hanley is available to speak with interested media. To chat with Peggy, simply contact Carl Schultz @ Nom Nom PR.

About The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas:

The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas is a membership-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses the public’s passion for wine and food to better the community’s education, health and well-being. WFFT hosts large, public wine and food events, wine/food educational opportunities, and the annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction, one of the nation’s premier wine auctions. Since its inception in 1985, WFFT has donated approximately $2 million to other charitable and nonprofit organizations. Please visit www.winefoodfoundation.org for more information. Connect with WFFT on Twitter and Facebook.

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