Image003[1]
What is arguably the finest food and wine event of the year, In the Vineyard, is being held next Saturday, November 14. It may be my favorite charity food/wine event and here's why:
1. The venue: Plaza Frontenac is long on grace and space.
2. The crowd: Manageable and negotiable. No long crowds at the tasting tables.
3. The personnel: Local wine wholesalers not only bring their better bottles, they bring their most knowledgeable staff.
4. The food: The area's top chefs showcasing top-shelf offerings. Doubtful you'll find pizza or pork sliders at this gig. Here's the list: Annie Gunn’s, Anthony’s Bar, ARAKA, Bissinger’s, Cardwell’s at the Plaza, BC’s Kitchen, The Crossing, Fleming’s, Harvest, Herbie’s Vintage 72, Monarch, Niche, Portabella, and Villa Farotto.
5. The wine: approx 90 selections, 50 or so on the main floor (av retail: $20-40) and another 40+ at the "Master Sommelier" tasting upstairs (av retail: $100-150). Bonus: "Private cellar" offerings have also been poured upstairs in past years.
6. The auction items: Well-chosen and curated. Here's this year's list: VIP behind-the-scenes tour of "Mad Men" during Season 4 shooting (airfare included), One case of Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, One case each of Kistler Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir 2005, Five-year Vertical of Joseph Phelps Insignia Magnums, Bryant Family Vineyards 3-Year Vertical, Four St. Louis Blues Plaza seats and a period in the KMOX booth with Kelly Chase & Chris Kerber, "Green Seats" behind homeplate for 8 St. Louis Cardinal's games, Getaways to Hawaii and Arizona.
In the Vineyard is an annual event and the biggest fundraiser of the year for Edgewood Children's Center. Tickets are $100 (downstairs) and $200 (downstairs and upstairs).
Before you write it off as "too extravagant," consider that $60 of the base ticket is tax deductible and $140 from the premium ticket. My advice: no option, buy the better ticket. Rarely do you get a chance to sample that many premium wines and premium goodies under one roof. It might be the best wine/food deal in town and it's all for a worthy cause. -- George Mahe
