9th Annual Wells Fargo Kickoff featuring Chappellet

November 3, 2022

Charlotte Wine + Food (CW+F) raised $115,000 at the 9th Annual Wells Fargo Kickoff dinner held at The Foundation For The Carolinas on Thursday, November 3. 150 guests started the evening at a cocktail reception followed by a four-course wine-pairing dinner created by Executive Chef Craig Barbour of ROOTS Food Co. as we proudly hosted the star guest of the evening, David Francke, General Manager with Chappellet. The night wrapped up with the most spirited of live auctions conducted by pro wine benefit auctioneer, Ursula Hermacinski, including a mix of exclusive wine lots and experiences. With the support of all our generous donors, the auction alone raised over $70,000 for our beneficiaries.

In addition to the auction, guests participated in a raffle to win a Chappellet Wine Club Membership for a year, raising over $4,000. Congratulations to the winner, Mr. Robert Steel!

Featured dinner wines included: 2020 Chappellet “Grower’s Collection” Calesa Vineyard Chardonnay, Petaluma Gap; 2019 Chappellet Merlot, Napa Valley; 2019 Chappellet “Signature” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley; 2013 Chappellet “Signature” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley; 2019 Chappellet “Pritchard Hill” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: and the 2019 Chappellet Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley.

Charlotte Wine + Food would like to extend special thanks to the evening’s Corporate Sponsors - our title sponsor Wells Fargo (championed by our incredible Chairman Emeritus Phil Smith), and supporting sponsors Chappellet, Foreign Cars Charlotte - Bentley, ROOTS Food Co., and Vintec. We would also like to thank the following groups - Auction Donors: Bill Bounds / Cork Vault, Gary Crunkleton, Chappellet, Adam Glassner, and Vintec. | Table Hosts: AWS, Richard De Sousa & Valerie Dulude, EY, Falfurrias Capital Partners, Bonnie & Ted Kelly, New South Partners, Billy & Stephanie Owens, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Wells Fargo | Volunteers: Scott Brennan, Lizzie Carson, Sally Davis, Pam Gray, Michelle Harden, Ian Joyce, Jessica Klasinski, Megan Mitcham, Candice Johnson, Garrett Visnansky | Staff: Lauren Deese, Shreya Gangaram, Makayla Johnson, Cammie Borrelli, Suzanne Boyd | Vendors: David Franke, Jacob Jata & Chloe Martins — Chappellet, Craig Barbour & Suzan Kepner — ROOTS Food Co., Ursula Hermacinski — Auctioneer, Tim Wallace & Wine Vault — Wine Retail, Doug Davis — D2 Productions AV, J’Michael Peeples — Jazz Guitarist, Josh Bannen & Tori Sutton — Photography, Foundation For The Carolinas — Venue, Laura Graff — Plaid Penguin/PR | Event Chairs: Phil Smith, Palmer Steel, Ariail Barker