BRATTLEBORO — For the last two years, the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont's annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction has sold out. To accommodate more people, event organizers and sponsors decided to change the format of the fifth Annual event, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22, to two guided tastings for 40 people at each.
Another change this year is the participation of the new business, Brattleboro Cheese, which will not only host the fifth annual event at its shop and cafe at 30 Main St., but present cheeses matched to the Austrian wines. In addition to Brattleboro Cheese, Windham Wines and West River Family Dental are co-sponsoring this benefit event. Artisanal Cellars is guiding the wine tasting.
“Brattleboro businesses have really stepped up as sponsors of and contributors to the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont's fundraising events in our 25th anniversary year,” said Executive Director Susan Bell. “They have donated raffle and auction prizes, provided in-kind professional services like graphic design and printing, and underwritten event expenses through sponsorships.”
The unrestricted contributions raised at such events are used to cover community education and outreach activities not covered by private and government grants.
Silent auction items this year include a wine tasting for six and a cheese tasting for six by Brattleboro Cheese; an overnight stay at the historic Schoolhouse #10 in Guilford (just named by USA Today as one of the top 10 schoolhouses now housing guests in the nation) and at A Stone Wall Inn in Windham; architectural, landscaping, grant consulting, personal coaching, and other services; and items donated by area artists and businesses.
More information on this year's silent auction is available on the AIDS Project's website at www.aidsprojectsouthernvermont.org.
To reserve seats to the Fifth Annual Wine & Cheese Tasting and Silent Auction, interested parties can contact Karen at 802-254-4444 or [email protected]; be sure to specify whether you plan to attend the 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. or the 7 to 9 p.m. session. Tickets are also available at Brattleboro Cheese, Windham Wines, and at the AIDS Project's office at 15 Grove St. during business hours. The later session in particular is expected to sell out quickly. Tickets are $35 per person.