MIA: Why You Should NOT Miss the Palm Beach Wine Auction

Photo Credit: CAPEHART

Arguably the most exclusive wine auction in the nation, the Palm Beach Wine Auction will return for its ninth year Thursday, January 21^st, 2016 at the historic Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. The event gathers oenophiles and foodies alike to benefit a very special cause: the educational programs at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Nearly 60 lots of carefully selected, highly-rated wines and spirits will be presented this year, as well as exceptional treasures and unparalleled luxury travel experiences. The auction will carry on throughout the night under the direction of Michael Troise.

Photo Credit: CAPEHARTAll aspects of the event are developed with your palette in mind, with gourmet dishes designed to compliment the rare assortment of wines also being served. Unfiltered 2014 Beau Vigne Reserve Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard will be served with the first course, as was disclosed at the recent informative luncheon by the auction’s founder, Ted Mandes. Mandes also revealed the list of chefs involved this year and he has truly chosen an all-star team. Zach Bell, Executive Chef of Addison Reserve Country Club, will be returning as the event’s Chef de Cuisine. After a cocktail hour featuring hors d’oeuvres by The Mar-a-Lago Club’s Banquet Chef, Bogdan Boerean, and charcuterie by Café Boulud’s Executive Chef, Rick Mace, guests will indulge in a delectable five-course meal craftily prepared by the continued line-up of celebrity chefs:

Photo Credit: Julia Duresky/CAPEHART

Course One: Executive Chef Joe Ferro of Table 26 Palm Beach

Course Two: Executive Chef Josh Thomsen and Chef de Cuisine Manlee Siu, of Angle at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Manalapan

Course Three: Banquet Chef Bogdan Boerean of Mar-a-Lago, and Montreal’s Mercuri Owner/Chef Joe Mercuri and Sous Chef Athiraj Phrasavath

Cheese course selection: Retired Auction Director for NY Wines & Christie’s Fine and Rare Wine Department, Michael Troise 

Dessert: Pastry Chef Graham Randall of Mar-a-Lago

Wine service will be led by Brian Chamis.

Photo Credit: CAPEHART

Although the incredibly sumptuous meal takes much of the attention, guests tend to remember the wonderful cause they’ve gathered for.

In its past 8 years, the auction has raised almost $3 million net for the education programs at the Raymond F. Kravis Center. “One of the things that separates this event from others is that we run it like a business,” says Mandes. “There are investments being made in wine that will take us through 2021. And while everyone has a cause they are passionate about, educating our children isn’t just a cause, it’s an obligation.” Mandes’ passion for the Kravis Center is met with boundless gratitude as Senior Director of Development Diane Bergner explains, “the community is truly fortunate to have the Kravis Center, but the Kravis Center is truly fortunate to have the Palm Beach Wine Auction. Ted came to us eleven years ago and said he had a great idea for a fundraiser – and he really did have a great idea.”

Photo Credit: Julia Duresky/CAPEHART

Tickets to the Palm Beach Wine Auction are $1,000, by invitation only. Call 561-651-4320 or visit palmbeachwineauction.org for more information about the Palm Beach Wine Auction. For more information on the Kravis Center’s arts education programs, please visit kravis.org/education.