^TM

Florida Winefest

by Carole S. Kotkin

There are few places on earth—certainly none so close and accessible—that can meet so many different expectations, whether cultural, gastronomic ….or hedonistic as Sarasota and its environs. This spring, Sarasota is bursting with flowers and festivities.  There are concerts, opera and theater, museums and galleries, and outdoor activities. From theater and dance to film and comedy Sarasota has a festival for every season. Each April Sarasota is host to the Florida Winefest and Auction. Now in its 8th year, the Winefest has become one of the premier charity events in the country. The Winefest Auction has become the third largest charity wine auction in the country and is dedicated to raising money for disadvantaged children.  More than 5,000 people gathered under huge air-conditioned tents at The Resort at Longboat Key Club to sip fine wines, sample gourmet cuisine, and to raise approximately $300,000 for area charities during the four days of the Winefest. Wine and food aficionados from around the country, including more than 90 winemakers from the U.S. and 15 foreign countries, and distributors and consumers, celebrated fine wine and innovative, trend-setting cuisine prepared by 40 Florida restaurants.  Chefs Freddy Mayer and Rick Sordahl of The Resort at Longboat Key Club and Chef Jonathan Eisimann of Miami Beach’s Pacific Time collaborated on the foods for the Black Tie Dinner and Dance.  The Resort at Longboat Key Club has made a commitment to Florida Winefest & Auction and by the year 2000 their financial contribution to the event will total more than one million dollars.

There are few places on earth—certainly none so close and accessible—that can meet so many different expectations, whether cultural, gastronomic ….or hedonistic as Sarasota and its environs. This spring, Sarasota is bursting with flowers and festivities.  There are concerts, opera and theater, museums and galleries, and outdoor activities. From theater and dance to film and comedy Sarasota has a festival for every season. Each April Sarasota is host to the Florida Winefest and Auction. Now in its 8th year, the Winefest has become one of the premier charity events in the country. The Winefest Auction has become the third largest charity wine auction in the country and is dedicated to raising money for disadvantaged children.  More than 5,000 people gathered under huge air-conditioned tents at The Resort at Longboat Key Club to sip fine wines, sample gourmet cuisine, and to raise approximately $300,000 for area charities during the four days of the Winefest. Wine and food aficionados from around the country, including more than 90 winemakers from the U.S. and 15 foreign countries, and distributors and consumers, celebrated fine wine and innovative, trend-setting cuisine prepared by 40 Florida restaurants.  Chefs Freddy Mayer and Rick Sordahl of The Resort at Longboat Key Club and Chef Jonathan Eisimann of Miami Beach’s Pacific Time collaborated on the foods for the Black Tie Dinner and Dance.  The Resort at Longboat Key Club has made a commitment to Florida Winefest & Auction and by the year 2000 their financial contribution to the event will total more than one million dollars.

A sparkling wine seminar moderated by Dr. Bob Hosman, wine writer for the Sun-Sentinel and The Wine News revealed that Florida is the largest consumer of sparkling wines in the country.  More Perrier-Jouet champagne was sold in Miami than in Paris.  “People in Miami are getting away from serving champagne only on special occasions.  They make it a special occasion by serving champagne,” said Dr. Hosman.

By Sunday, the festival winds down, offering you the chance to loop around Longboat Key’s bike trails, take a plunge in the cool blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, play a round of golf, or a game of tennis at the Resort at Longboat Key Club.  A walk along St. Armand’s Circle with its fine shops, galleries, restaurants and out-door cafes is a shopper’s paradise. A stroll through the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens along Sarasota’s bayfront will impress you with one of the most highly regarded collections of orchids in the world . Or, you could spend the afternoon at the Ringling Museum looking at Baroque paintings, and finish off the day with a play or dining at one of Sarasota’s restaurants that serve an eclectic array of cuisines.

Sarasota has long been a cultural mecca and a haven for artists, musicians, composers and writers, as well as for patrons of the arts. This combination of talent, interest and financial support has given Sarasota a symphony orchestra, a ballet company, a performing arts center,  two music festivals, two film festivals, five theater companies, an opera, dozens of art galleries and a first-class art museum.

Among the first to discover the charms of Sarasota  was John Ringling of circus fame who bequeathed his Art Museum and palace, Ca d’Zan, the Ringling Winter residence, garden and extensive grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay to the people of Florida.  In 1948 the Ringling Museum of the Circus and the 19th-century Asolo Theater from Asolo, Italy were given to the state. The Museum has been described as one of the most beautiful museums in the United States and its collection is internationally recognized for its Baroque paintings including such highlights as Ruben’s Triumph of the Eucharist series and works by Velaquez, Frans Hals, and Poussin.

Sarasota has managed to acquire the amenities of a big city without giving up its essentially small-town atmosphere. Downtown is easily walkable and most places you’d be interested in going are a short ten or fifteen minute drive away.   During festival weekends; however, traffic can be very slow. For information on next year’s festival  to be held April 21-25, call Florida Winefest office at 941-952-1109 or 800-216-6199.

Where to Go:

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 South Palm Avenue, 366-5731
Tranquil, nine-acre botanical garden overlooking Sarasota Bay.
Mote Marine Aquarium,  1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, 1-800-691-6683
Visit with resident manatees and endangered sea turtles and come face to face with sharks swimming in their 135,000-gallon shark tank.
Museum of Cars & Music of Yesterday, 5500 N. Tamiami Trail, 355-6228
View restored, antique automobiles and over a thousand music boxes from the Gay 90’s and Roaring 20’s.
The John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., 359-5700
A beautiful Italian Renaissance villa houses one of the world’s largest collection of baroque art.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Trail, 1-800-826-9303/

Where to Stay:

The Resort at Longboat Key Club, 301 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 1-800-237-8821
The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort, 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Fla. 34228, 1-800-426-5669.
Half Moon Beach Club, 2050 Ben Franklin Dr. Sarasota, Fla. 34236
There are also the usual chain hotels:  Best Western, Holiday Inn, Hyatt,  and Radisson. Longboat Accommodations offers a selection of homes, condos and small hotels for rental. 1-800-237-9595.

Where to Eat:

Café L’Europe, 431 St. Armands Circle, St. Armands Key, 941-3884415
Consistently chosen as one of Florida’s most beautiful and accomplished restaurants serving classical European cuisine.
The Colony Restaurant, The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort ,620 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 383-5558, ext. 2808.  Fresh local seafood, meats, chicken pasta with beautiful waterfront view.
Euphemia Hay, 5540 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Boat, 941-383-3633
An eclectic mix of Mediterranean, American, French and Caribbean bought together beautifully by the chef in a romantic setting. Roast duck, pepper steak, gourmet pizzas among specialties.
Harry’s Continental Kitchen,  525 St. Judes Dr., Longboat Key , 383-0777.
Outstanding seafood, Black Angus beef served in a serene garden ambiance.
Michael’s on East, 1212 East Ave., Sarasota, 366-0007.
Five consecutive years Golden Spoon Award, Zagat survey’s Gulf Coast’s most popular restaurant.  Oak roasted lamb, seared Chilean sea bass among specialties.
Ophelia’s on the Bay, 9105 Midnight Pass, Siesta Key, 941-2212
Old Florida charm and lovely waterfront setting serving American cuisine. Cedar roasted salmon with ancho chile glaze and Caribbean grouper among specialties.

Back to TravelLady Magazine