‘Making a difference’: Charlotte Wine and Food Week continues to support local charities

CHARLOTTE — A multi-day wine and food event is happening in the Queen City soon.

Charlotte Wine and Food Week runs April 18-23 and will raise money for four children’s charities.

“It’s about more than just talking about and drinking wine and good food,” Chef Sam Hart said. “It’s about making a difference in kids’ lives.”

Hart’s restaurants, Counter- and Biblio, are two of the many spots participating in the event.

“We’re building community and we’re providing a cultural offering for residents in our city, and ultimately we’re doing it with a mission to fundraise,” says Lauren Deese, the Executive Director behind the nonprofit Charlotte Wine and Food.

“We were founded in 1989 by a group of wine connoisseurs who were just looking for like-minded individuals to celebrate the wine world,” she says. “Now we are here 35 years later, and we’ve given away $6 million to local charities.”

This year, the event benefits the Learning Collaborative, A Child’s Place (Thompson Program), Augustine Literacy Project, and GenOne.

The event consists of vintner’s dinners, a grand tasting, a gala, an auction, and other programs, with winemakers and experts, all while showcasing the talent of locals like Chef Sam.

“We call ourselves a story-driven restaurant. So, what that means is we create a story first and then figure out dishes, music, art, everything to go along with that story.”

>> In the video at the top of this page, Your704′s Elsa Gillis talks to Hart and Deese to learn more about Charlotte Wine and Food.

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