The Rotary Club of Key Biscayne Foundation announces over 15 participating wineries and key beneficiaries of 5^th Annual Key Biscayne Wine, Food & Silent Auction Event.

WHAT: The Rotary Club of Key Biscayne Foundation announces an extraordinary wine event, a tasting of California s Best Limited Production, with over 15 boutique wineries participating in the upcoming 5^th Annual Key Biscayne Wine, Food & Silent Auction Event on Friday, November 13^th at The Links in Key Biscayne. Proceeds from the evening will benefit projects for disadvantaged youth in our area and overseas.

This is a rare opportunity for wine enthusiasts and amateurs to sample and purchase a selection of limited production wineries at a single wine tasting event.  Most of these wineries?make less than 500 cases of wine per year and restrict distribution to their private members. Representatives will pour artisan, vineyard-designated wines made in single barrels from superior appellations in California.

SUNBOX Eleven Winery owner and local Miami resident, Sunny Fraser, is thrilled to coordinate such an amazing line-up of boutique wineries, whose wines are consistent award winners. The wines included are medal winners in prestigious competitions such as the San Francisco International Wine Competition and Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition. Many score over 90 points in prestigious publications such as Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate (Robert Parker) and The Pinot Report.

The following wineries will be present at the event: SUNBOX Eleven Winery, A.P VIN, Calicaro Wines, Dain Wines, Due Cani Cellars, Ellman Family Vineyards, International Boutique Wines, Jean Edwards Cellars, Pali Wine Co, Petito Wines, PerryMoore Wines, Sol Rouge, Think Tank Wines and VIE Winery.

A.P. Vin is one of several producers named in last month s Wine Spectator as "Best Pinot Ever."  Wines produced by Pali Wine Co. & Dain are among many in this event that consistently receive 90+ scores on their releases. Less than a year from their first production release, SUNBOX Eleven Winery, a platinum sponsor of this event, was named in the Top 50 Wineries in the World based on popularity on Twitter (www.twitter.com/SunnySUNBOX) and has also received high accolades in wine competitions and wine scoring publications.  To learn more about all the wineries and the list of wines included in the tasting, visit www.keybiscaynewinefest.com .

Each tasting station will pour between two to five wines including a premium selection that will be judged by several independent judges.  Wine judges ?nclude Henry Barrow, former newscaster, pioneer podcaster, and host of the radio show ?Talking About Wine,? and Shari Gherman, co-founder of the American Fine Wine Competition, who will award a Gold Medal to the "best of the best".  All wines will be available for sale at the event at discounted prices.  The venue will coordinate all orders, payment, delivery and pick-up.  

This annual event represents the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne?s continuing collaboration with the Association for Retarded Citizens, South Florida (ARC South Florida), organizer of the Silent Auction to take place alongside the tasting. ARC South Florida will receive part of the proceeds to fund its adult programming. Auction lots will consist of over 100 items including travel, restaurant, sports memorabilia as well as goods and services with an estimated market value in excess of $54,000.

The Rotary Club of Key Biscayne Foundation has designated remaining proceeds to benefit two projects to help the youth. Locally, proceeds will help Shake-A-Leg Miami to acquire needed equipment to conduct its marine youth program. Shake-A-Leg Miami helps children with physical, developmental and economic challenges set sail to provide new hope and opportunities. Internationally, funds will benefit Fundacion Manos del Sur s educational programs in Nicaragua.  Headquartered in Miami, Fundacion Manos del Sur is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to underprivileged children in Latin America in the areas of education, health and nutrition. 

Rather than each organization holding an independent fundraising event, ARC South Florida, Shake-A-Leg Miami and Manos Del Sur will work together with Rotary to offer attendees not only a wonderful evening, but an opportunity to support multiple charitable causes and organizations in our community. The Rotary Club of Key Biscayne is pursuing matching grants from the local Rotary District and Rotary International to further leverage the charitable impact of this event.

WHEN:          Friday, November 13^th, 2009 - 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm

WHERE:       The Links at Key Biscayne, 6700 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL  33149

COST:            $75.00 by November 2^nd; $85 at the door; $65 for members of Rotary and  its participating charitable organizations. 

Cash? check, credit cards welcome (Visa, MasterCard, American Express accepted).  Complimentary Valet Parking available.

For silent auction, preview and ticket purchase visit www.keybiscaynewinefest.com or call Gabe Parra at 305-759-8500, ext 141.  For sponsorship information, please contact Ruben Weisson at 305-416-6440.