Wine Makes Wishes Come True
By Karla Erovick
From the moment we stepped through the doors of an iconic Art Deco building on Treasure Island, we felt special. The 12th Annual Wine and Wishes event is a fundraiser for Make-A Wish Foundation. With 26 wineries and 26 restaurants serving sumptuous bites, there was a lot to explore. Chefs roamed the event, chatting with other chefs prior to the start of the epic winemaker dinners.
Guests milled about, glass in hand, visiting each of the tables to sample their wares. A silent auction tempted pocketbooks to generously bid on the array of trips, wine, massages, and merchandise available to the highest bidder. Throughout the evening, inspiring stories from Make-a-Wish children encouraged the added generosity of the guests.
Colorful tables were adorned with tasty culinary bites and a selection of wine from various restaurants and wineries. Food ranged from savory appetizers to decadent desserts paired with an array of wines from which to choose. From the mezzanine level one could look out over the room plotting the next food and wine acquisition. Beautiful Art Deco murals graced the walls of this historic building that has welcomed visitors for more than 50 years.
This year’s event included renowned culinary stars such as James Beard Award winner Roland Passot of La Folie, Mark Dommen of One Market, and Mark Liberman of AQ, for the winemaker dinner. Wineries featured at the tasting included Cakebread Cellars, Merry Edwards, and Patz & Hall, while restaurants were Epic Roasthouse, Wayfare Tavern, A16, and Farallon, which provided its ever-popular oyster bar.
After the conclusion of the grand tasting, the winemaker/chef dinners were held nearby at the Winery SF. Each of nine culinary teams prepared a four-course menu paired with special wines. It was a memorable evening with Bay Area culinary celebrities and noteworthy wine and food enthusiasts.
Panoramic San Francisco views were visible from the event, although most people were gobbling down one delicious bite after another, too busy to appreciate something as mundane as the skyline. The event raised $768,000 for the Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant the wishes of sick children; we felt honored to do our part.
