Fundraiser: Triangle Wine Experience
Chair: Eliza Kraft Olander
Event411: Three day charitable wine event – Includes approximately 30 Winery Dinners throughout the Triangle, Retail Wine Tastings, Trade Tasting, Winemaker/Sponsor Appreciation Party and the Vintner’s Gala Reception and Auctions followed by dancing.
Volunteer Organization: Frankie Lemmon Foundation
Beneficiary: Frankie Lemmon School and Development Center

What is it about the organization that made you willing to take on the role as event Chair?

I am committed to causes associated with children’s needs in my community. Fifteen years ago, when I met some of the children with special needs and their families, the Frankie Lemmon School became a priority in my charitable giving of time and money.

What is particularly special about this event? If this is an annual event, what were new elements added to this year’s event?

We believe the special relationships that have developed throughout the years with people in the wine community, the culinary community, friends we have met across the country at other wine events, and the cadre of devoted Sponsors we have in our community have not only defined our event, but continue to establish and grow our Frankie Lemmon Family. I also believe that all these folks actually feel they are a part of our growth and development and are personally engaged in the success of the TWE and the Frankie Lemmon School. The kind of growth that we have experienced as a small town event cannot happen without passionate commitment from many, many people.

This year, in addition to adding new winemakers and wineries to our family, we also added a Trade Tasting to help facilitate the interaction of the winery people and the retail/restaurant/distribution people. This helps all involved, especially the winery folks who come to “work the market” during their stay in North Carolina by keeping them centrally focused, with increased exposure to the community and their statewide travel-time down.

What was the most compelling element of this year’s event?

Without a doubt, it is the depth and breadth of the California Wine Community and their support of our event. It is an astonishing thing to see how vested the wine community is in our school. We had two incredible Auction Lots this year that were put together by long-term Napa Valley supporters. Pam Starr, of Crocker & Starr continues each year to put together a Lot of Magnums – wines that have either been made by women or are owned by women. This year Pam worked her considerable charms and brought together 40 Women in Wine, you can just imagine what an extraordinary Lot this was! Our friend Didier Loustau, also from Napa, brainstormed and assembled an astounding 33-Three Liter Lot, by many of the winemakers/owners who attended and it was presented by them en masse. It always amazes me just how absolutely extremely generous wine people are and what a joy it is to be involved with them.

Was there an event theme?

Our event is a Black Tie and our theme this year was Hollywood and Vine – each Lot in our auction was named after a movie. Our venue was a converted warehouse divided into two rooms. As guests arrived they came through the back of the building and entered the “speakeasy” room doused with red light and bare walls – reminiscent of prohibition, but the food and wine flowed while guests perused the Silent Auction. Our crazy, but entertaining, Marvelous Mark led the group into the second room which resembled anything but the speakeasy or warehouse thanks to our sponsors and designers, ISES, where we began our Live Auction. Then of course, when the Auction was finished, Mark led us to the dance floor where there was a huge crowd celebrating and dancing among friends.

How do you give the beneficiary maximum exposure?

We always try to maximize the opportunity to include compelling information about our children; meeting them, showing videos of them, giving gifts to sponsors and donors that personalize them. The parents of our children are also involved throughout all of our events by speaking about their children and the positive effects that the Frankie Lemmon School has had upon them and their families.

What three words best describe you?

Devoted, Tenacious and Passionate.

[Feature photo courtesy of Triangle Wine Experience]