Two-Day Wine & Jazz Festival to Benefit Naples, Fla Park

NAPLES, Fla. - March 15, 2013 - PRLog -- In partnership with the City of Naples, the Wine & Jazz Festival presented by Audi Naples, will take place in the heart of beautiful Naples, Florida at Cambier Park on Friday, March 29, 2013 and Saturday, March 30, 2013. The two-day event is a celebration of wine, food, music and friends, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Next Generation Cambier Park Playground and programs through the Gulfshore Playhouse.

“We consider this first-ever event a great opportunity for Audi Naples,” said Brian Massoll, managing partner of the luxury vehicle maker’s local dealership on Airport Road. “I have it on good authority from colleagues at Audi dealers in Chicago that the organizers, inPLAY EVENTS, don’t disappoint so I feel confident this festival will set the stage for something spectacular for years to come. Plus, we find it a natural fit to partner with other luxury goods that reflect the tastes of our sophisticated community.”

Conveniently scheduled before Easter to capture attendance from full and part-time residents as well as spring breakers, the Wine & Jazz Festival will feature more than 120+ international and domestic wine varieties. Tony’s Off Third Wine & Pastry Shop is the official wine retailer and will assist with wine distributor participation, purchases of wine by attendees, and coordinate pickup of those orders at its store in historic Old Naples.

Festival guests will enjoy interacting firsthand with wine makers and brand experts, expanding their wine knowledge and discovering the blends that best suit their taste. To complement the wine, up to eight choice Naples restaurants will be on site selling their gourmet specialties. Live jazz musicians will provide entertainment during the event.

Beer lovers will enjoy several interactive and educational presentations by Suzanne Wolcott, a beer sommelier with Goose Island Beer Company.  She will feature two of their iconic brands – Sofie & Matilda – for beer tastings and food pairing assistance.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to have fun and make a valuable contribution to the city’s preservation efforts,” said Scott Janess, organizer of the Wine & Jazz Festival. “And with tremendous support from Audi Naples, the business community, as well as being endorsed by Mayor Sorey and the City Council, I think a terrific time for all can be expected.”

The relaxed park setting provides the perfect opportunity for everyone from wine enthusiasts to novices to walk away with a new appreciation for wine. Local wine expert Sukie Honeycutt and her staff from Tony’s Off Third will be on hand along with several popular wine distributors to educate guests on wines and discuss best food and wine pairing combinations.

Festival hours are Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m.  Friday night ticket sales end at 8:00 p.m. and alcohol sampling and sales end at 9:00 p.m.  Saturday ticket sales end at 4:00 p.m. and alcohol sampling and sales end at 5:00 p.m.  

Adult Wine Tasting Tickets are $35 in advance and $50 at the door. Admission includes a souvenir wine glass, 10 tastings, and food and wine demonstrations and musical entertainment. Additional tasting coupons may be purchased at the event.

Designated Driver Tickets are $15 in advance or at the door. This ticket includes two non- alcoholic drinks, food and wine seminars, access to cooking demos, musical entertainment and a souvenir wine glass upon departure. Attendees under 21 are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.winejazzfestival.com, or at Tony’s Off Third, Audi Naples and the Norris Center or by phone at 877-772-5425 for an additional fee. Phone center hours are 9:00am to 10:00pm eastern time – 7 days a week.

Tickets will also be available for purchase on-site the day of the festival if tickets are still available. There are no refunds and the festival takes place rain or shine. Parking is available in designated public parking spaces including parking garages on 8th Street South and 6th Avenue South.

In addition to Audi Naples, the Wine & Jazz Festival partners and sponsors include the City of Naples, Tony’s Off Third Wine & Pastry Shop in Old Naples and the Goose Island brands.

For more information, call 847-382-3270 or visit www.winejazzfestival.com. Or, follow the festival on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Napleswinejazzfestival
and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Napleswinejazz.

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About inPLAY EVENTS

The Wine & Jazz Festival is produced and managed by inPLAY EVENTS, a corporate events and marketing consulting company known for consistent quality and exceptional creativity. Each year, inPLAY produces five wine festivals across the country and has a strong charitable presence at each event. Visit the company on the web at www.inplayevents.com.