20th annual event to benefit public radio, March 1

February 26, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — WUFT-FM Classic 89 and WJUF-FM Nature Coast 90 will celebrate 20 years of annual fundraising on Sunday March 1. The event will include silent and live auctions, artwork, culinary treats and a wine tasting from 1 to 4 p.m. in the University of Florida’s Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.

Hosted by public radio stations WUFT-FM Classic 89 and WJUF-FM Nature Coast 90, along with The Wine & Cheese Gallery, this year’s auctions will feature individual special older vintages from participating wineries, as well as special bottles and wine-related art by local artists of national acclaim. Culinary treats will be provided by The Wine & Cheese Gallery and Mildred’s Big City Food, with coffees from Classic Fare Catering. Musical performances will include Music Vera and pianist Chuck Michaelson.

Wine selection for the event is coordinated by Wade Tyler and Bunky Mastin, co-owners of The Wine & Cheese Gallery, a full-service wine and gourmet food store and restaurant that has been serving Gainesville for more than 30 years.

All proceeds from the tasting and auctions benefit Classic 89 and Nature Coast 90, which provide public and educational broadcasting for 19 counties in the central and north-central areas of the state. Over the years, those who gather to uncork the spirits have raised more than $300,000 to continue the stations’ award-winning programming and services.

Tickets are $50 in advance and $55 at the door. Advanced tickets are available at the following Gainesville locations: The Wine & Cheese Gallery, 113 N. Main St., Wachovia Bank branches, Mildred’s Big City Food, Wildbirds Unlimited, 4215 NW 16th Blvd. and the WUFT/WJUF stations, located in 2206 Weimer Hall at the University of Florida.

In addition to the wine tasting and auctions, a Winemakers’ Dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. on February 28 at Steve’s Café American. The dinner includes a five-course gourmet meal, paired with Spanish wines from Casa de Ermita. Cost is $85 per person. Reservations are required and seating is limited.

For reservations or more information, visit www.celebrationofwine.org or call Sue Wagner, 352-392-5200, ext. 1106 or Wade Tyler, 352-372-8446.