The Eighth Annual
Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival
Presents
Winemaker Dinners and Events
January 23 and 24
These intimate affairs at participating Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurants feature multi-course feasts and tastings hosted by acclaimed winemakers.
(Sarasota, Florida) The Sarasota-Manatee Originals’ (SMO) eighth annual Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival features its acclaimed Winemaker Dinners and Events, Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24, 2015, as part of the four-day event, which runs January 23-26, 2015. Participating Originals restaurants will pair sumptuous cuisine with wines from award-winning wineries from around the world. Owners, winemakers and representatives from the participating wineries will showcase wines from their top vintages and introduce new releases. To purchase tickets for a Winemaker Dinner and Event, call the restaurant directly. Following is a list of featured
Winemaker Dinners and Events:
Friday, January 23
Cafe Baci
Featuring winemaker Marco Fizaletti from Castello di Querceto, Tuscany, Italy. 6 p.m. $100++. 941-921-4848.
Ophelia’s on the Bay
Featuring winemaker John Emmerich, Silverado Vineyards, Stags Leap District, Napa, California. 6 p.m. $125 (inclusive). 941-349-2212.
The Crow’s Nest
Featuring winemaker Charl Coetzee of Babylonstoren, Simonsburg-Paarl, South Africa. 6:30 p.m. $120 (inclusive). 941-484-9551.
Cafe L’Europe
Featuring winemaker Alberto di Gresy of Marchesi di Gresy, Piedmont, Italy. 6:30 p.m. $95 (inclusive). 941-388-4415.
The Bijou Cafe
Featuring winemakers Harry Wetzel IV of the Alexander Valley Vineyards, Alexander Valley, California; and Michael Deloach of the Hook & Ladder Winery, Russian River Valley, California. 6:30 p.m. $95++. 941-366-8111.
Pier 22
Featuring winemakers Chris Kajani of Saintsbury, Carneros, California, and Mary Joli of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon. 6:30 p.m. $99.95++. 941-748-8087.
Michael’s On East
Featuring winemakers Guido Orzalesi of Altesino, Montalcino, Italy, and Vittorio Marianecci of Zenato, Veneto, Italy. 7 p.m. $95++. 941-366-0007, Ext. 229.
Saturday, January 24
Michael’s On East
Featuring winemaker Matt Murphy of Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria Valley, California. 7 p.m. $95++. 941-366-0007, Ext. 229.
Finns at Sharkey’s
Featuring winemaker John Monnich of Silkwood Wines, Stanislaus County, California. 7 p.m. $95 (inclusive). 941-999-3467.
For more information about the eighth annual Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival, visit www.dineoriginal.com/forksandcorks, or call 941-365-2800. For more information about The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, visit www.dineoriginal.com.
About the Sarasota-Manatee Originals
The Sarasota-Manatee Originals is a not-for-profit trade organization founded in 2003. Together, more than 50 locally-owned, independent restaurants throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties work collaboratively to celebrate and promote the creative cuisine of the region, from unique quick service eateries and waterfront family restaurants to award-winning fine dining establishments. Passionate member restaurateurs work together to produce community events, optimize cooperative marketing efforts and develop synergistic partnerships among members as they focus on preserving the culinary heritage of the region. With more Florida Trend and Zagat top-scoring restaurants within a 20-mile radius of downtown Sarasota than any other area in the Florida, the Sarasota-Manatee Originals is dedicated to sharing the area’s vibrant culinary scene with the world. For more information, call 941-365-2800 or visit www.dineoriginal.com.
