SoCal Gives, Inc., host of the annual Bel Air Wine Festival at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Jazz Club on February 28, 2015, will showcase five Master Sommelier’s who will pour for attendees throughout the afternoon event. Guests will enjoy learning about what they are sipping and gain an education and insight on more than 100 wines. To add to the star studded event, a host of talented musicians will play utilizing the venue’s excellent acoustics. (Image Credit)
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Afternoon Gala: 1PM-5PM
Evening Gala: 6PM-10PM
Saturday’s Festival and Auction at Vibrato Jazz Club will feature five master sommeliers pouring wines selected from the 100 featured at the festival, transforming a typical tasting into a detailed glimpse of how this wine came to be in the glass. Master Sommelier Ian Cauble ,co-founder of SommSelect, where he personally selects a wine for customers will pour alongside Master Sommelier Sur Lurcero, the National Director of Wine Education for Jackson Family Wines, Steven Poe, Master Sommelier at Big Canyon Country Club, Darius Allyn, MS, of WineWorks Consulting Services and Christopher Miller, MS Wine Consultant locally in Los Angeles.
Attendees of the afternoon gala will enjoy food pairings as the wines are poured to be tasted in and around the popular Vibrato Jazz Club in Bel Air. The Bel Air Wine Festival will benefit eight charities: Chrysalis, The Art of Elysium, The Kitchen Community, Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles, Rotarians for Family Health & Aids Prevention, Bresse, First Star and LEAP. All donations from the auctions will be used throughout the year to make grants to support several charities and one cause in Africa.
Attendees will also be entertained by a handful of Grammy winning artists including the R&B-Rock powerhouse, Hang Dynasty, composed of:
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Kenny Lewis: Guitar, Vocals (Steve Miller Band)
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Kenny Aronoff: Drums (John Mellencamp, Elton John, Bob Dylan)
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Reggie McBride: Bass (Stevie Wonder, Elton John)
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Scott Page: Sax (Pink Floyd, Supertramp)
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Geoff Paris: Keyboards, vocals (Ringo Starr, Keb Mo)
Additional musical artists performing are: Amy Keys, Billy Valentine, Branden James, Maria Elena Infantino, Lynda Kay and Shawn Amos.
“The energy and passion of wine and music at a well-known Jazz restaurant with world class musicians and gourmet food is the ideal expression of this special event focused on raising money for the eight charities,” said Paul Drake, founder of the wine festival and SoCal Gives, Inc.
The live auction will take place during the evening gala and the highest bidder wins. Items will range from destination experiences, wine, vintner’s dinners, art and additional items from generous sponsors and donors. The online silent auction begins on February 26, 2015 and will close on March 15th, 2015. This will feature wines, art and photography.
Sponsors include Jackson Family Wines, Terroir Selections, Wally’s Wine Auctions and Bouchaine Vineyards.
About the Bel Air Wine Festival and SoCal Gives, Inc:
The Bel Air Wine Festival is a fundraising arm for SoCal Gives Inc., a nonprofit public benefit corporation recognized by the IRS as a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization, which means, your donations are tax deductible. SoCal Gives Inc. only makes grants to other 501(c) (3) nonprofits. Our granting strategies for 2015 are focused on child and young adult initiatives such as: medical and emotional well-being, mentoring and education. Programs that relate to supporting the family unit in a hands-up, rather than a hand-out, approach are also of great interest. All of the grants must provide a measurable impact. Visit us on Facebook.
