While we Orlandoans trot off to sub shops and theme park adventures, Target runs and street fairs, a bunch of the kids we see on the way need food. Now. Or medical help. Or clothes. Or less tangible items, like dance lessons.
Loads of charities help out, yet these children, our children, need more to make their lives better. By “our,” I mean anyone newborn through 18 who lives in the greater Central Florida metropolitan area. By “more,” I’m referring to money, which will reach via local charities.
This image, of me holding a glass of wine over the Orlando Magic court during a game, was taking during a media event hosted to teach local journalists and influencers about the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction. All the photos here are from that gathering, not the 2019 Orlando Wine Festival & Auction.
Introducing the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction
Last year, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation put together a super-aggressive fundraiser that took up an entire weekend and aimed to bring in way bigger bucks than all of the region’s regular do-good events. It worked. In Year 1, the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction raised – get this – $900,000. Almost a clean million. The first time. And it all went to groups that help improve kids’ lives. Our kids’ lives.
So of course the folks behind the scenes are gearing up to do it again.
Oh, and every cent raised goes directly to charity. The DeVos family, key owners of the Orlando Magic basketball team, covers the administrative costs so any money you give ends up making kids’ lives betters.
The basics of the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction will sound intimidating to those who aren’t super-wealthy, but stick with me. It’s a luxurious and delicious weekend of dining on food prepared by top chefs, tasting exceptional wines and bidding on over-the-top auction items including wine trips to Europe. Orlando Magic players will make appearances at nearly all the events, so you’ll get to hobnob with the athletes. #selfietime
The hub will be The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grand Lakes.
Day 1 of the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction
Bidding on silent auction items will begin at noon on Sunday, March 8, 2020, and end after the other events, at noon on Monday, March 16. This part happens online and it is open to anyone, anywhere.
In the meantime, those who hold tickets for the vintner dinners will be in for a treat. Area residents – let’s assume with spectacular homes – will host private dinners for donors, probably under the stars. At each vintner dinner, a well-respected chef will do the cooking, and the wines will be equally enchanting. These will be held in a variety of locations around town the evening of Friday, March 13, 2020.
L-R Nick Anderson, George Miliotes and Bo Outlaw
Day 2 of the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction
While you’re gushing about your vintner dinner, it’ll be time to gear up for an afternoon and evening of more indulgence – and do-gooding – on Saturday, March 14, 2020. First, the Outdoor Wine Festival at the Ritz’s DaVinci Lawn will be a casual way to stroll around and get your vino on. Chefs will offer cooking demonstrations, and live auction items will be on display.
As that ends, the live auction will begin, inside in the Ritz-Carlton Ballroom. That’s where specially designed vacations will be among the prizes. I know that Master Sommelier George Miliotes, owner of Wine Bar George at Disney Springs, is personally working with vintners to plan private tours that will be part of these adventures. (Here’s more about Wine Bar George.) The live auction will take place from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
In 2019, top prizes including a three-day wine trip to Bordeaux ($38,000), a stay at the Cinderella Castle Suite ($360,00; this was a raffle item), and two Super Bowl tickets including dinner at Thomas Keller’s Surf Club Restaurant ($40,000). That Cinderella Castle stay will be on the block again, as will a new Disney World treat: Star Wars | Galaxy’s Edge VIP Experience. I’ll update this if I get details.
Then, as that wraps up, you’ll remain in the ballroom for the Celebratory Dinner, also referred to as the after-party, with a plated dinner and live entertainment.
Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins (left) with George Miliotes of Wine Bar George
Day 3 of the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction
The fun continues on Sunday, March 15, when those who qualify will gather at Orlando’s Amway Center to watch the Orlando Magic play against the Charlotte Hornets, starting at 6pm.
These Chefs Will Cook at the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction
The list keeps growing. These chefs have already committed to help raise $$$ to help our collective kids. Note that this roster includes not only several of Orlando’s superstars but also chefs from other parts of the country.
Michael Symon, Lola, and others, Cleveland, will be the headliner chef. The James Beard Award winner has brought exceptional meals to the Midwest for 20 years.
Akshay Bhardwaj, Junoon, New York
Kathleen Blake, Orlando
Melissa Kelly, Primo, Orlando and Rockland, Maine
Paula Kendrick, Fresh from Florida
Gabriel Kreuther, Gabriel Kreuther, New York
Eric Lees, Spiaggia, Chicago
Brandon McGlamery, Luma on Park and others, Winter Park
Jamie McFadden, Cuisiniers, Orlando
James and Julie Petrakis, The Ravenous Pig and others, Winter Park
Justin Plank, Terralina Crafted Italian, Disney Springs
Art Smith, Homecomin’ by Chef Art Smith, Disney Springs
These Wineries Will be Pouring at the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction
For starters – the list keeps growing – look for these labels.
Antinori Wine, Tuscany
Black Stallion Estate Winery, Napa
Bond, Napa
Casa Piena Vineyards, Napa
Dakota Shy Wines, Napa
Gracianna Winery, Sonoma
Hourglass Winery, Napa
O’Brien Estate Winery, Napa
Outpost Wines, Napa
Penfolds Wine, Australia
Peter Michael Winery, Napa
Relic Wine Cellars, Napa
Revana Family Vineyard, Napa
Roy Estate, Napa
Rudd Winery, Napa
Smith-Devereaux Wines, Napa
Stewart Cellars, Napa
Z. Alexander Brown, Napa
What the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction Will Cost
Three levels of tickets are available.
Reserve – Two guests can attend the outdoor food and tasting, the live auction and the after party. $2,500
Premier Cru – Two guests get all of the above, plus invitations to a vintner dinner, car service to and from both events, VIP gifts and two tickets to an Orlando Magic basketball game with a VIP pregame reception. $6,500
Grand Cru – The best of the best, the Grand Cru provides not only the vintner dinner, but a say in which vintner dinners you might prefer; the big outdoor dinner with access to a special VIP area; two nights’ accommodations at the Ritz; and two Ultimate tickets to an Orlando Magic basketball game including access to Fields Lounge – super-close seats with food and drinks. $9,250
What the Rest of Us Can Do Regarding the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction
Much of this may not be in your budget, and I respect that, of course. Yet do the math. If over the course of the year you write small checks to food banks, homeless shelters and such, the amount may add up to what you’d spend for the smallest of three Orlando Wine Festival & Auction packages. If that’s the case, consider spending all the money at once and having a heck of a good time for your efforts. (I am in no way disparaging any donation to any local enterprise that helps our neighbors. I write those checks myself. Every penny is a gift to our beautiful children, not one of whom should ever be hungry.)
I’d say most of us won’t be able to resist at least looking at the silent auction items. I mean, they will be online for an entire week. Based on the quality of the live auction roster, I have high hopes that the silent auction portfolio will include items and experiences we all want, and might be able to afford. Keep checking back at this link for details.
