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More than 270 of the Solano Wine & Food Jubilee's biggest supporters gathered on February 26 for a four-course winemaker dinner and live auction at the 5th Annual Open That Bottle Night.
The event was a festive precursor to the Wine & Food Jubilee, and was also an opportunity for NorthBay Healthcare Foundation to honor and thank those who have contributed more than $1,000 in sponsorship to this year's Jubilee.
The 24th annual Jubilee, which has become the area's premiere food and wine tasting event, is April 8 at the Nut Tree Complex in Vacaville. It features sweet and savory samples from more than 130 wineries, breweries, restaurants and merchants. And there's dancing to The Time Bandits, an array of items in a silent auction and chances to win $20,000 in cash prizes.
The evening is a benefit for the NorthBay Hospice & Bereavement programs.
Guests enjoyed a four-course meal paired with wines provided by Jubilee sponsors and olive oil by NorthBay board member Mark Sievers, and then participated in a spirited live auction of exotic vacations, artwork, movie and music memorabilia, San Francisco Giants World Series commemorative items and 2011 game tickets, private gourmet dinners and even a instant wine cellar.
The auction netted more than $51,000 for NorthBay Hospice & Bereavement, and included donations specifically to support the NorthBay Hospice & Bereavement's Dream of a Lifetime program.
These gifts to Dream of a Lifetime were in addition to the $10,000 commitment made that night by Foundation board member Stanley Davis.
Also announced that night was the formation of a $100,000 memorial endowment fund for NorthBay Hospice, established by a local family who wishes to remain anonymous.
Following those exciting announcements was a screening of "Gino's Dream," a video prepared by filmmaker Ezio Lucido who chronicled the day Gino Goodman, a 26-year-old NorthBay Hospice patient, realized his Dream of a Lifetime opportunity to see a University of Oregon football game with his father and best friend.
Gino's day was made possible through the generous contributions of a host of Dream Team supporters, including benefactor Al and Patt Shaw and Dream Team members Bob Dias, Veronica Wertz, Tara Baumann and Stanley Davis. The emotional 14-minute video concluded with the introduction of Gino's father, stepmother and sister, who were guests that night of the Jubilee committee.
Presenting Sponsors of this year's Jubilee are the Sacca Family's Burger King Restaurants, the Nut Tree, Freeman Family Dentistry, Al and Patt Shaw and Gold's Gym.
Tickets, for those 21 and older, are $75 each or, if still available on the day of the event, $100 at the door.
Groups may also purchase a "VIP Ticket and Table Package for 8" for $1,000. This special package must be reserved by March 15, 2011.
