Photographs by Bob Quesada of The 12th Annual Rotary Key Biscayne Wine and Food Fest

The 12th Annual Rotary Key Biscayne Wine and Food Fest was held this past Friday at Fairways on the Key.

Thirteen different wines from the New World competed against the same varietals from the Old World to earn the recognition of “Best of Show” in each class. A lovely Italian Prosecco greeted all the patrons upon their arrival in order to “season the palate” for the wonderful wines to follow.

Shari Gherman, president of the American Fine Wine Competition & Charity Wine Gala, served as wine director. Four other noted wine professionals, Patrick Sullivan, wine educator; Wendy Rosano, Sommelier and wine director at Terra Fiamma in Delray Beach; Roberto Colombi, Sommelier and GM of The Blue in the Boca Raton Resort, and Henry Barrow, Wine Educator, completed the professional Judging panel.

The evening’s proceeds went to benefit the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne Foundation (RCKBF) and affiliated charities for adults and children.

The Rotary Club continues to collaborate with the Arc of South Florida, a Miami-based non-profit helping adults and children with mental disabilities.  Their members organized the details of the evening and received part of the proceeds to fund its programming.

Additionally, the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne Foundation has designated proceeds to benefit Fundacion Manos del Sur’s educational work with programs to promote healthcare and disease prevention offered through Fundación Stamboulian and the Rotary Club in Argentina.

Rather than each organization holding an independent fund raising event, The Arc of South Florida and Fundación Manos Del Sur worked together with Rotary to offer attendees not only a wonderful evening, but an opportunity to support different efforts in our community. The Rotary Club is pursuing matching grants from the local Rotary District and Rotary International to further leverage the charitable impact of this event.

And the winners of the “Best of Show” title are:

In the Red Wine Category: “Unmask” a red blend from Vineyard 36, Napa

In the White Wine Category: “Champagne Laculle” Blanc de Noir, France.

Here are some images from the event:

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