VIP Destin at Vintner Dinners

Robin & Chris Wray

Demetrius Fuller & Jimmy Chambers

Lesley Keffer, Demetrius Fuller, Janis & Don Bishop, 

Demetria McNeese & Chef Nikhil Abuvala

Jim & Dottie Liufau, Heidi & Brian LoCicero

Chef Jim Richard, Yvonne King, Greg LaLa & Glenn Alexander

March 2017  |   61 

photos & story by

 

Kay Phelan

 

I

t was Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s 5th Annual Wine, Women and 
Shoes weekend of events to benefit the symphony’s music 
education programs. The weekend of happenings included 
vintner dinners at area homes and restaurants; Bubbles, Blues 

& Culinary Q’s; and concluded with the Mad Hatter’s Garden 
Party Signature Event. 

Vintner Dinners
Each exclusive vintner dinner, hosted by Sinfona patrons, was 
partnered with celebrity regional chefs who created an exclusive 
menu to pair beautifully with wines represented by world-class 
vintners.

Bubbles, Blues & Culinary Qs
Guests enjoyed a casual afternoon with wines, cold brews, culinary 
stations and live music by Dread Clampitt at the Hilton Sandestin 
Golf & Beach Resort.

Mad Hatter’s Garden Party
Guests stepped into their stilettos, donned garden party hats and 
partook in an exciting afternoon packed with an extravaganza of 
fun experiences. Activities included live and silent auctions, aerial 
artists, a high-style fashion show by Today’s Boutique, vintners, 
and retailer shopping. As always, guests enjoyed flowing fine wine, 
which was poured by a legion of handsome Sole Mates tending to 
the ladies. 

Co-chairs for the 2017 Wine, Women & Shoes series of events 
were Demetria McNeese and Velia Lala. Presenting sponsors were 
Krueger, Fosdyck & Associates of Merrill Lynch, The Center for 
Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Cox 
Communications, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, and 
Visit South Walton. For further information on Sinfonia, visit www.
SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or their Facebook page.

Event Sponsors:

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