THE FIFTH ANNUAL AMERICAN FINE WINE COMPETITION
Celebrating the Finest Wines Produced in the United States
Honoring America’s wine-making prowess, The American Fine Wine Competition, presented by Patriot National Insurance Group, is one of the nation’s most prominent and prestigious wine events. Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the 2012 American Fine Wine Competition will feature a star-studded Gala Dinner, with acclaimed chef Emeril Lagasse and announcer Alan Kalter (Late Show with Letterman) live, on-stage. The AFWC is more than one big night with big, bold wines. It consists of several events, including a VIP Kick-Off Reception, the actual wine Competition, a VIP Party and an open-to-the-public Consumer Challenge & Fundraiser. Proceeds from the events will benefit the Diabetes Research Institute, the Golden Bell Education Foundation, and the Youth Automotive Training Center.
Kicking-off this unique array of events is the invitation-only VIP Reception. Taking place on Thursday, January 12, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and hosted by JM Lexus, the Reception is for corporate sponsors and VIP’s, participating charities, wine competition judges and invited media only. The Reception will be held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, located at 501 East Camino Real in Boca Raton.
The wine Competition will take place on Sunday, January 15 and Monday, January 16, 2012, beginning at 9 a.m. both days. At the Competition, 24 wine experts and industry moguls, hand-picked by the AFWC, will taste more than 600 wines invited into the competition and awarded prestigious medals. This event is for the judges only; press is invited to observe and may join the panel by appointment only. The Competition will be held at the Boca Country Club, located at 17751 Boca Club Boulevard.
After the Competition, the AFWC will host an open-to-the-public kick-off on Thursday, March, 8, 2012. The event will take place at Allied Kitchen & Bath’s beautiful showroom, the perfect destination to mix and mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts. Guests will have the opportunity to taste some of the wines from last year’s Competition, meet this year’s judges, enjoy a beautifully catered meal and visit the AFWC’s sponsor booths. The party will be held in Allied Kitchen & Bath’s showroom, located at 616 West Oakland Park Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
One month prior to the Gala Dinner, the American Fine Wine Competition will host a Consumer Challenge & Fundraiser on Thursday, March 22, 2012, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Taking place at Bogart’s restaurant, owned and operated by well-known restaurateur, Burt Rapoport and emceed by Jeff “Defo” Deforrest, the Consumer Challenge takes an exciting twist on the everyday wine tasting event. Guests will enjoy nine stations of specially chosen wines, an array of delicious dishes, prepared by the Bogart’s culinary team, as well as play games & win prizes at AFWC Sponsors’ booths. At this event, which is open to the public, twelve attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a blind-tasting challenge of ten American wines. The taster who properly identifies the most wines correctly will be awarded two complimentary tickets to the Gala Dinner. Tickets for this event are $35 per person and a percentage will benefit the Youth Automotive Training Center. Bogart’s is located inside the Cinemark Palace 20 at 3200 Airport Road in Boca Raton, Florida.
The highly anticipated Gala Dinner will take place on Thursday, April 19, 2012, starting at 6 p.m. The evening begins with the Sparkling Reception, featuring a vast selection of fine sparkling and white wines along with delicious hors d’oeuvres and exciting entertainment. A silent auction will feature 150 wine baskets, with each bottle personally signed by the winemaker. With a guest list of 550 attendees, the Gala Dinner will feature all the wines entered into the competition poured by your personal “Wine Angel”, served along with a four-course dinner, prepared by the culinary team at Boca Raton Resort & Club. Famed chef Emeril Lagasse will prepare the evening’s main course onstage during his live demonstration. Prior to dinner, a lottery will be held where eight lucky guests will be selected to sit on stage at “Emeril’s Table” to enjoy the demonstration close-up. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a live auction, presided over by Alan Kalter, announcer for Late Night with David Letterman where 100% of the proceeds benefit the Diabetes Research Institute and the Golden Bell Education Foundation. Tickets for the Gala Dinner are $300 per person. The Gala Dinner will be held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club – Mizner Center, located at 501 East Camino Real.
For ticketing call (561) 504-VINE (8463) or visit www.americanfinewinecompetition.com
Patriot National Insurance Group
Patriot National Insurance Group is an insurance holding company focused on workers’ compensations insurance. Patriot has two operating subsidiaries: Guarantee Insurance Company and Patriot Underwriters, Inc. Guarantee Insurance Company offers agents and brokers creative risk transfer solutions customized for their clients. Guarantee’s workers’ compensation product line includes large deductible, segregated cell portfolio captives, agency-owned captives, investor captives and traditional workers’ compensation insurance. Patriot Underwriters, Inc. is a Managing General Underwriter that produces, underwrites and administers alternative market and traditional workers’ compensation insurance plans for leading insurance companies, segregated cell captives and reinsurers.
About the American Fine Wine Competition
Since 2007 AFWC has raised more than $430,000 for local charities and helped brand both local businesses through sponsorship and many small boutique wineries in the US through events. For more information about the American Fine Wine Competition and for Sponsorship opportunities please contact Shari Gherman, at 561-504-VINE (8463) or via email [email protected]
Media Contact:
Elana Levin / Luciana Salamé / Larry Carrino
Brustman Carrino Public Relations
(305) 573-0658