Forks & Corks 2016
Savor local flavor during the SunCoast’s premier Food and Wine and Festival. Forks & Corks 2016 will showcase the palate-pleasing products of an international cast of visiting winery owners and winemakers alongside the deliciously diverse cuisine of more than 50 members of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurants. The Sarasota-Manatee Originals is a group of locally owned restaurants who share a passion for dining excellence and commitment to our community.
This ninth annual, multi-day epicurean event will be held in the spectacular courtyard of The Ringling Museum of Art, the elegant ballroom of Michael’s On East and other exciting venues across the region. The Forks & Corks world-class weekend of food, wine and beer offers a feast for your senses through various vintner events; interactive food and wine seminars; and The Grand Tasting, which features a wide variety of wines, beers, and food sampling from top local restaurants, live entertainment and more.
THE GRAND TASTING
Sunday, January 31st, 2016 at The Ringling Museum
Tickets on sale Monday November 9th at 7 pm
Tickets are sold only through the Originals website: http://www.dineoriginal.com/forksandcorks
General Admission: $125.00 + services fees
Guests will be able to purchase up to four (4) General Admission Tickets.
VIP Admission : $300.00 + service fees
Guests will be able to purchase up to two (2) VIP Tickets
*VIP Admission Includes: Designated Valet Parking, Early entrance and Champagne Reception at The Grand Tasting, $100 Wine Voucher to be used at the Retail Tent at the Grand Tasting, Covered Seating at the event, Private VIP Tour of the Museum, Invites to the Event Kickoff party held on 1-28-16 at Suncoast Motorsports.
The Grand Tasting is the ultimate destination for the foodie and wine or beer lover! Enjoy fabulous food from over 50 of the area's top restaurants, taste wine from over 80 international wineries and enjoy exciting micro-brews and craft beers. The backdrop for this spectacle is the stunning courtyard of the world-renowned John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
Last year, the Ringling Museum's iconic statue of David gazed upon the crowd as they enjoyed perfect weather and a variety of sweet and savory fare. Originals restaurateurs and chefs outdid themselves with fabulous dishes to guests' delights!
The acclaimed vintages of over 70 wineries from around the world were poured, with winemakers from California, Oregon, Italy, South Africa, France, Spain, New Zealand, South America and many other locales chatting with guests and enjoying the excitement of the afternoon.
The Grand Tasting of 2016 promises to be even more tantalizing with new Originals member restaurants serving their specialties alongside well-known local favorites. We will feature our popular silent auction with special wines donated by our participating wineries. A popular feature again this year, guests will have the opportunity to purchase your favorite wines from the afternoon of sampling. Our convenient retail tent will allow guests the chance to purchase and take home the wines they loved that day. Many of the unique wines available to taste at the Grand Tasting are not readily available for purchase locally, so we always suggest that people buy that day.
FORKS & CORKS UNIVERSITY
Saturday, January 30th, 2016 Michael's On East Ballroom, Wine Cellar and Restaurant
Full Day Seminar: $95 + Service Fees
Half Day Seminar: $60 + Service Fees
Each session includes a gourmet four course luncheon with wine pairings
*Session Program and Panelists will be announced mid-November 2015
Forks & Corks University provides a unique opportunity to taste and learn about rare and inspired wines during seminars led by a panel of celebrated winemakers. These educational seminars, led by recognized wine experts from around the world, will take your wine knowledge to a higher level.
WINEMAKER DINNERS & EVENTS
Friday January 29th and Saturday January 30th, 2016
Various Member Restaurants and Local Retailers
Enjoy a variety of events at participating Originals restaurants featuring visiting winemakers paired with area's best chefs.
Events range from ultimate upscale dinners to casual tastings and samplings. These events are a great way to rub elbows with wine celebrities and to enjoy a special evening of great food and wine!
**Winemaker Dinners and Events for Forks & Corks 2016 will be announced in December of 2015.
THE TRADE TASTING
Monday February 1st, 2016 Michael’s On East Ballroom
Members of the hospitality industry across Florida will be invited to the 8th Annual Forks & Corks Trade Tasting.
Owners and managers of the region's top restaurants, retail stores and hotels will have the opportunity to taste with visiting international winemakers. A selection of international foods will complement this special beverage experience.
Admission is by invitation only and limited only to those who hold liquor licenses. Not open to the general public. Link to register for The Trade Tasting will be available on The Originals website on December 1st 2015.
List of Participating Wineries – Forks & Corks 2016
2880 Wines, Napa Valley, CA
A to Z Wineworks Willamette Valley, OR
A.A. Badenhorst Swartland, ZA
Achaval Ferrer Mendoza, AR
Alexander Valley Vineyards Alexander Valley, CA
Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Napa Valley, CA
Aviary Vineyards Napa Valley, CA
Babylonstoren Simonsberg-Paarl, ZA
Banfi Italy
Bell Wine Cellars Yountville/Napa Valley, CA
Bodega Aleanna "El Enemigo" Mendoza, AR
Bodega Catena Zapata Mendoza, AR
Bodega Luigi Bosca Mendoza, AR
Casa Ferreirinha Douro, PT
Castello Di Querceto Tuscany, IT
Cava Blancher Blancher, SP
Chateau D'Esclans, Cotes de Provence, FR
Chateau de Saint Cosme Rhone, FR
Chateau Segla Margaux, Bordeaux, FR
Cockburn's Port Duoro Valley, PT
Cousino-Macul Maipo Valley, CH
David Milligan Selections, France
Davis Bynum Winery Russian River Valley, CA
De Toren Wines Stellenbosch, ZA
Domaine de Courteillac Bordeaux, FR
Dow's Port Duoro Valley, PT
Dutton-Goldfield Winery Russian River Valley, CA
Eagle Eye Winery Napa Valley, CA
Farnese Vini Southern Italy
Ferrari Carano Vineyards & Winery California
Ferreira Douro, PT
Folktale Winery & Vineyards Monterrey, CA
Gamble Family Vineyards Oakville/Napa Valley, CA
Graham Beck Wines Robertson, ZA
Grupo Pesquera
Gruppo Mezzacorona Trento, IT
Hall and Walt Winery Napa Valley/Sonoma, CA
HdV Wines Napa Valley, CA
Hook & Ladder Winery Russian River Valley, CA
Jaffurs Wine Cellars Santa Barbara County, CA
Jamieson Ranch Vineyards Napa Valley, CA
L’Ecole N°41 Walla Walla Valley, WA
LOLA Wines North Coast, CA
Maison Bertrand Ambroise Burgundy, FR
Marchesi di Gresy Piedmont, IT
Marques de Grinon Valdepusa, SP
Monchiero Carbone Piedmont, IT
Oakville East Exposure Oakville, CA
Paul Cluver Wines Elgin Valley, ZA
Quady Winery California
Raats Family Wines Stellenbosch, ZA
REX HILL Winery Willamette Valley, OR
Rodney Strong Vineyards Sonoma County, CA
Rombauer Vineyards Napa Valley, CA
Schug Carneros Estate Winery Carneros, CA
Schweiger Vineyards Spring Mountain, CA
Sean Minor Wines Napa Valley, CA
Silver Oak Cellars/Twomey Cellars Napa/Sonoma, CA
Spy Valley Marlborogh, NZ
Stewart Cellars Napa Valley, CA
Szigeti Burgenland, AT
The Hess Collection Mount Veeder/ Napa Valley, CA
Thienot USA Varies
Trefethen Family Vineyards Napa Valley, CA
Trinchero Family Estates St.Helena, CA
Vinicola de Tomelloso La Mancha SP
W & J Graham's Port Duoro Valley, PT
Weingut Heinrich Burgenland, AT
Weingut Loimer Kamptal, AT
Willamette Valley Vineyards Willamette Valley, OR
Wilson-Daniels Varies
Zenato Veneto, IT
Date: January 29 - February 01, 2016 12:00 PM-10:00 PM
Location: The Ringling Museum of Art, Michael’s On East and other exciting venues | Sarasota, FL
Event website: dineoriginal.com