Wine & Food Weekend coming up

The Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend April 22-24 kicks off with vintner dinners at 22 restaurants across the city and winemakers (and brewmasters) in attendance that include Robert Foley, Dick Ward and Walter Schug. Prices for these range from $65 to $175, and you can see details at the Web site.
New -- as well as free and open to the public -- are meet-and-greets (and tastings) with vintners 4-6 p.m. April 23 at wine shops across the city: Arthur’s, Dean & Deluca Wine Room, Reid’s, The Wine Shop in Dilworth, The Wine Shop at Foxcroft, The Wine Vault, Winestore in Blakeney and Winestore at SouthPark.

Big Bottles & Blues at Gateway Village April 23 costs $90 and offers samples from more than 50 winemakers, along with barbecue; it drew about 600 guests last Weekend. Live and silent auctions of rare, large-format, autographed bottles, plus trips, jewelry, artwork and more will be offered.

A Vintner Tasting at Gateway Village runs 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 24 and costs $35. Other events include a tasting led by wine author Kevin Zraly; wine and beer education series; and a grand gala and live auction.

Beneficiaries for the Weekend include Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, the Council for Children’s Rights, Johnson & Wales University, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and Workforce Initiative for Supportive Housing (WISH).

Since beginning in 1989, the Weekend has raised more than $3.2 million for area charities. You can get more information and buy tickets online at www.charlottewineandfood.org or call 704-338-9463.