The much-anticipated 11th annual Wine On Harvest Moon celebration presented by South BMW is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27, and showcases the “fine wines, fine food and fine art of France.”
Samples of French-inspired cuisine, wine tastings from the region’s distinctive vineyards, Moulin Rouge-style entertainment and an art exhibition are all part of the Deering Estate Foundation’s signature fundraising event. Throughout the evening guests are invited to roam the property and explore the historic buildings — Charles Deering’s Stone House and the Richmond Cottage — under the glow of the Harvest Moon that illuminates the lush lawn and waters of Biscayne Bay.
Wine tastings presented by Vintage Liquor and Wine Bar are certain to confirm France’s long established reputation as one of the world’s most acclaimed wine regions.
“French wines are Old World wines,” explained Harry Radcliff, Vintage Liquor buyer and store manager. “France, Italy and Spain have produced wines for hundreds of years, unlike the newcomers like the United States, South America and Australia.”
At the event, Radcliff shares his expertise as guests sample wines from the different French regions.
“I will be bringing wines from Bordeaux, Cote De Rhone, Burgundy and Languedoc,” he said. “Two of the wines for tasting are the 2010 Haut red wine from Chateau Puech in Languedoc, and the Graves white wines from the Thomas Barton Winery in Bordeaux.”
Top area chefs, restaurants and caterers host tasting stations around the estate that highlight French cuisine. Some of the participants include Master Chef Franck Garanger, of Oceania’s 5-Star Cruise Line, and Maxel Hardy, personal chef to NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire. Restaurants being featured are George’s in South Miami, Tuyo and Miami Culinary Institute, La Gloutonnerie, Oceanaire, Smith and Wollensky, Truluck’s, Fabien’s Bistro, Red Fish Grill and the Crepe Maker. Creative Tastes and Thierry’s Catering companies join them.
The pastry chefs at Whole Foods Market Coral Gables are planning a sumptuous buffet of éclairs, tarts and other distinctively French desserts.
“This will be our sixth year as presenting sponsor of Wine On Harvest Moon, a signature event that we have all come to enjoy and eagerly anticipate with its changing themes each year,” said Joe Canaves, general manager of South BMW. “At South BMW we recognize the Deering Estate at Cutler as a focal point for historic preservation in our South Dade community and value its service as a center for cultural arts and environmental education.
“Serving as presenting sponsor of this fundraising event provides us with a fun and exciting way to do our part as a community stakeholder to support the Foundation’s efforts to provide the necessary resources to preserve and protect it.”
The evening also celebrates the preview of the Deering Estate at Cutler’s fall invitational art exhibit, “From Cutler to Paris.” The exhibit is in partnership with the Bakehouse Arts Complex and represents a collaboration of work that draws contemporary associations with art movements that took place from 1922 to 1927 in France and the United States. Participating Bakehouse artists include: Juan Carlos Arana, Jennifer Basile, Christian Bernard, Alain Castoriano, Andrea Favelli (Sílice), Michael Gellatly, Patricia Schnall Gutierrez and Gerry Stecca.
The French Consulate, the French- American Chamber of Commerce and several participating French Spice restaurants are helping to create an authentic French experience. Together with their help and the support of other lead sponsors that include Oceania Cruises, Coconut Grove Bank, Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, and Preferred Care Partners, Wine On Harvest Moon is an evening certain to be filled with the flavors, sights and sounds of France.
Tickets for Wine on Harvest Moon are $125, and $100 for foundation members and members of the French-American Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds benefit the Deering Estate Foundation whose mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the Deering Estate at Cutler for this and future generations. For tickets and information call 305- 235-1668, ext. 263, or log on to www.deeringestate.org. The Deering Estate at Cutler is located at 16701 SW 72 Ave. in Palmetto Bay.
