Wellen Park Wine Festival Announces Vintner Line-up for Inaugural Event

October 28, 2024 | Sarasota

Over 30 vintners and wine importers will pour dozens of international wines during the inaugural Wellen Park Wine Festival Nov. 15-16 in Downtown Wellen. Participating vendors will feature vintages from famous national and international wine-producing regions.

John Cannon Homes is the presenting sponsor of the festival, which features an exclusive VIP wine dinner and preview tasting with Napa Valley’s celebrated Cakebread Cellars on Friday, Nov. 15. A ticketed outdoor event, the Nov. 16 wine fest, from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Great Lawn in the heart of Downtown Wellen Park, also offers an educational wine class, live music and culinary offerings from Downtown Wellen restaurants. A limited number of select wines will be available for immediate purchase (first come, first served), while more exclusive wines can be ordered and picked up at The Banyan House restaurant within two weeks. All wine sales will take place at the retail sales tent adjacent to The Banyan House restaurant.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the caliber of wines that will be showcased at the wine dinner and festival – the first event of its kind in the Venice and North Port area,” said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park. “Guests will discover a mix of familiar and new vintners and varietals, offering both well-known and unique wine experiences. They will also enjoy incredible cuisine from our downtown restaurants.”

The wine dinner, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Solis Hall, features Cakebread Cellars’ impressive portfolio of wines. Cakebread Cellars was founded in 1973 by Jack and Dolores Cakebread, whose sons, Bruce and Dennis, own the winery today. In its 50-year history, the family-owned winery has earned a reputation for its exceptional wines and leading-edge sustainability practices. Best known for its Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. The family’s offerings include 18 wines in total, with nine distributed nationally and internationally.

Kobrand, a family-owned importer and distributor of fine wines, will also offer several festival tents featuring its distinguished collection of hand-selected American, French and South American wines, port and sake.

Participating wineries and importers include:

• Cakebread Cellars – Known for its signature Napa Valley chardonnay and classic cabernet sauvignon, the family-owned winery was founded in 1973 and released its first chardonnay in 1974. Cakebread Cellars soon expanded to cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, merlot and sauvignon blanc, each reflecting the personalities of the Cakebread family’s estate vineyards – from Carneros to Mendocino County.
• Delicato Family Wines – Established in 1924 in Manteca, California, is the fifth-largest American winery, offering premium wines from notable wine-growing regions in California, Germany and Chile.
• Babich – New Zealand’s first sustainable vineyard which produces Marlborough sauvignon blanc.
• Sovereign Brands – A fourth-generation family wine and spirits company representing family owned wineries, including Luc Belair, a line of French sparkling wines.
• Château de Berne – A Provence, France, wine estate known for its red, rosé and white Côtes de Provence varietals.
• Banfi – This premium family-owned wine company founded in 1919 is the sole U.S. importer of Italy’s Castello Banfi of Montalcino, Tuscany and Banfi Piemonte of Strevi. It also represents a portfolio of boutique brands from the Pacific Northwest.
• Santa Margherita USA – A fine wine company which imports premium and ultra-premium estate wines from Italy.
• Frog’s Leap – A Napa Valley winemaker founded in 1981, is known for its chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc.
• Bogle Family Vineyards- A third-generation winemaker based in California which has produced cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, malbec and a variety of whites for over 50 years.
• Zonin – Known for its vibrant Proseccos crafted in northern Italy, the Zonin family have been winemakers for over 200 years.
• Vina Robles Winery – Family owned makers of estate red, white, sparkling and dessert wines from Paso Robles, California.
• Luneau USA – Representing premier vintages from California, France, Portugal, Italy and Spain, the Luneau portfolio featuring Ed Hardy Wines and Nicolas from France.
• St. Supery Estate Vineyards & Winery – This California winery produces 100% estate-grown, certified Napa Green wines, focusing on sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon and red Bordeaux varietals.
• Union Wine Co. – An Oregon distributor represents three regional brands: Alchemist, Kings Ridge and Underwood.
• Bronco Wine Co. – Founded in 1973, Bronco Wine Co. represents a portfolio of brands from multiple appellations across the western United States, Europe, and South America.
• Frederick Wildman and Sons – A New York-based fine wine importer representing over 75 brands from France, Italy, Spain, Argentina and other regions.
• Martin Ray Winery – From the Russian River Valley to Napa Valley, the Santa Cruz Mountains and beyond, Martin Ray Winery represents premier vineyard sites throughout California.
• Share a Splash Wine Co. – A distributor representing seven wine brands, including its flagship Cannonball.
• Michael David Winery – A sixth-generation winemaker known for its Freakshow, Misfits & Mavens and eponymous brands.
• Opici Family Distributing – Family-owned and -operated for four generations, Opici Family Distributing represents 19 Crimes and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, and is the seventh top wine distributor in the U.S.
• Pacific Southern Wine Co. – Created in 1989 to bring awareness to premium wine brands from the Southeastern U.S., including Alabama, the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
• Crimson Wine Group – Specializing in a signature collection of West Coast wines and brands.
• Palm Bay International – Emphasizes American, New Zealand, Italian, French and Spanish wines.
• Provenance Vineyards – A Napa Valley winemaker, specializes in white, red and Bordeaux-style red wines.
• Tri-Vin Wine & Spirits – Promotes premium quality and high-value wines from around the world.
• Vina Concha y Toro- Latin America’s leading wine company, owns and operates vineyards in Chile, Argentina and the U.S., producing a wine variety of grapes.

The Wellen Park Wine Festival celebrates the distinguished winemakers and the culinary talents of downtown restaurateurs. Space is limited and tickets are available at wellenpark.com/wine.

Tickets for the VIP wine dinner and festival are $250. Festival-only admission is $85. Both experiences include a souvenir wine glass, swag bag and four food tickets for the festival’s tents featuring gourmet cuisine from culinary partners Acqua Pazza, The Banyan House, Oak & Stone and Villani & Co. Guests will also enjoy live jazz on the Solis Hall stage.

Festival participants who are new to wine tasting can enhance their wine knowledge at the Wine Tasting 101 class from 11 a.m. to noon in Solis Hall. The class introduces attendees to various varietals via tastings. Tickets are $15.

            There will be limited seating available on the Great Lawn; guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.