The Heritage Foundation

 Three Blind Wines- Friday, February 26, 2010

TWO WINNERS TAKE ALL AT THREE BLIND WINES and RAISE MONEY FOR THE FRANKLIN THEATRE

Over 500 people had a blast at the 3rd annual Three Blind Wines event held at Jamison Hall on Friday, Feb. 26 hosted by the Next Generation Heritage Foundation. The purpose of the event raised funds to save the Franklin Theatre and support came from attendees from Alabama, Virginia, Kentucky, Fairview, Thompson’s Station, Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro and Nashville. This year’s theme of ‘Red, White, and Repeat’ allowed everyone in attendance to taste a variety of Pinot Grigio and Shiraz.
 
Two winners walked away with 108 bottles of wine each! The winning team with the the favorite Pinot Grigio was Summer Sheldon, Lindsey Eaton and Valiere Gamble, and the wine was Brassfield Estate Pinot Grigio. Meanwhile Roland Williams, John Baldwin and Mark Poppell brought the winning King Estate Shiraz. 
 
Next Generation board members and Heritage Foundation staff and board all pitched in to make sure the event was memorable. Hats off to Matt Ochab and Shawntell Himes, the perfect co-chairs, who insured the evening was total perfection. Rachel Phillips chaired the Silent Auction and over 70 bid winners enjoyed taking home an extra treat from the evening. Suzanne Jeffers, catering chair, made sure there was a variety of food on the food tables.
 
With the help of their friends and sponsors, Matt and Shawntell transformed Jamison Hall into an Italianate dream.  Guests felt like they were in Tuscany with lovely white lights strung across the ceiling, gorgeous flower centerpieces in urns and vintage wine bottles, and table linens with burlap accents. Wonderful music by Art Four Sale filled the air.
 
When you wanted a break from all the Shiraz and Pinot Grigio, superb food was served by Chef Chuck, Nobles Dairy Farm, Cabot Creamery, Constant Craving, 2 Chicks & Some Flour, Gulf Pride Seafood, Henpeck Market, Franklin Mercantile and Arrington Vineyards served raspberry truffles with raspberry dessert wine. A brilliant sampling was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
 
Sponsors and their guests enjoying the evening included David Garrett, Jimmy Helton, Jacob Thorington of Cheatham, Palermo & Garrett Law, GreenBank, Aloft Hotel, FedEx/Kinko’s, Fidelity Investments, FranklinIs, Fuson Law, Geny’s Wholesale, Gradient Overlay, Knestrick by Design, Scene/HER/NFocus, SmartWater, Southern Events, Stephanie Marie Photographie, Uniguest, VIP Williamson County Magazine and Yazoo Brewery who provided the beer for the non-wine drinkers.
 
Event Patrons stepped up and made an additional donation to the event which will include a 2nd party at Aloft Hotel. Patrons are Amy & Joel Simpler, Reynolds Bros., Connie & Carl Haley, Emily Magid, Fuson Law, Healthcare Systems of Tennessee, Heather and Mike Argo, Jade Boruff, KI Furnishing Knowledge, Mike and Dianne Christian, and Sam Dreiling.
 
Stephanie Dial, president of the Next Generation Heritage Foundation, delighted in recognizing the chairs, sponsors, patrons, volunteers, all board members and staff for a fun filled evening with the end result of giving back to their community and the Franklin Theatre.
 
To learn more about the Next Generation group and the Heritage Foundation please visit www.historicfranklin.com. Members of the Heritage Foundation and Next Generation are kept informed about fundraisers and the many preservation projects including the Franklin Theatre.
 

MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR THIRD ANNUAL THREE BLIND WINES

If you’ve noticed a shortage of Shiraz and Pinot Grigio in your favorite wine store, the reason may be due to the Heritage Foundation’s Next Generation 3rd Annual Three Blind Wines to be held on Friday, Feb. 26th at Jamison Hall in the Factory from 6-9 p.m.

It’s the third event but there are several new twists for this year’s Three Blind Wines:
Both red and white wines will be tasted and there will be two winning wines. Yazoo Brewery will be providing beer for any beer drinkers and local favorite Art Four Sale will perform. There will be a curtained check-in area with blank wine bottles instead of bags to create a true “blind wine” contest!

The cost is $25 per person in advance or cash only at the door with each 1-3 person team bringing “Red, White, and Repeat” wines. Check-in begins at 6 p.m. Admission includes local favorite entertainers, a sampling of food from various local restaurants and chefs, and a chance to bid on silent high-end auction items. For the “not for wine drinkers” there will be a cash bar with Yazoo Brewery for the beer drinkers and soft drinks for non-imbibers. Whether you imbibe or not, the cost is $25 per person to enter this true ‘blind wine’ site.

There are rules for the event: Teams of 1-3 people will bring 1 Shiraz, 1 Pinot Grigio and the 3rd bottle will be a “repeat” of one of the two. The first two bottles will be collected, recanted in a clear bottle, and set out for tasting and voting. The “repeat” bottle is set aside unopened to be given to two grand prize winners. From 7-8:30 p.m. tasting and voting takes place. Votes are counted at 8:30 p.m., and the winners of the silent auction and wine winners are announced at 9 p.m.

For those wishing to join in the fun at the Patrons’ level, the cost is $150 and includes admission for two people to Three Blind Wines, recognition in the Three Blind Wines program, and a second “after party” at Aloft Hotel with that party date to be announced that evening.

Back again is the popular silent auction. The necklace used in the Hannah Montana movie donated by Walton’s Jewelers is a main attraction in the silent auction. Other specials include a weekend stay in Colorado, a weekend at a lake cabin, Lorna Sanders Painting, a photo session with well known children’s photographer, a winemaking equipment kit, a signed copy of the new Historic Franklin, Tennessee book signed by all photographers and authors, and many fabulous items from our generous local businesses and restaurants.

For those without reservations, CASH ONLY will be accepted at the door and IDs will be checked.

The Next Generation group is comprised of Heritage Foundation members ages 21 to 40. While the Next Generation produces Three Blind Wines, it is held for anyone age 21 and over. The mission of the Heritage Foundation is to protect and preserve the architectural, cultural and geographic heritage of Franklin and Williamson County and to promote the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation.

NEXT GENERATION THREE BLIND WINES EVENT BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

The Next Generation Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County announces the 3rd Annual Three Blind Wines event to be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26, at Jamison Hall in The Factory. This year’s event theme is “Red, White & Repeat” with all proceeds going directly to save the Franklin Theatre.
Cost is $25.00 per person plus 3 bottles of wine (1 Shiraz, 1 Pinot Grigio, and 1 repeat of either of these wines). Admission includes entertainment from Art Four Sale, food from your favorite local restaurants & chefs, and a cleansing bottle of water for each person during the tasting. The extremely popular Silent Auction will be back this year, as will the cash bar for beer lovers.

Advance reservations and pre-payment are required by calling 615.591.8500, Ext. 11 or by visiting www.historicfranklin.com. Cash only will be accepted at the door on the evening of the event for those not making advance reservations. This event is open to everyone 21 years and over. IDs will be checked at the door.

This party for a purpose continues to give all wine lovers, from a boxed wine enthusiast to a fine wine aficionado, the opportunity to taste different brands of Shiraz and Pinot Grigio while benefiting a great cause: saving the Franklin Theatre. Attendees will have the opportunity to compete and vote in this “blind wine” contest.

This 3rd annual wine event also includes a popular silent and live auction throughout the evening. Check in begins at 6:00 p.m. Teams of 1-3 people will bring a Shiraz, a Pinot Grigio and the 3rd bottle will be a “repeat” of one of the two. The first two bottles will be collected, disguised, and set out for tasting and voting. The “repeat” bottle is set aside unopened to be given to two Grand Prize winners. From 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. tasting and voting takes place. A live auction takes place on stage from 8:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and the grand prize winners are announced along with the silent auction bid winners at 9:00 p.m.

Last year over 300 bottles were collected and this year’s event promises to be even bigger with a theme of an Italian Tuscan Night accompanied by an assortment of appetizers and desserts from local restaurants and vendors and live music from Art Four Sale. This year’s event will have two Grand Prize winners, each splitting the vault of “repeat” bottles. Second and third place will also receive a prize to be announced at the event! At the request of last year’s patrons the silent auction will be returning and the winners will be announced just before the Grand Prize!

The Next Generation Heritage Foundation consists of ages 21-40 and is part of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County. The non-profit Heritage Foundation, which works to protect local historic resources, purchased the 72-year-old Franklin Theatre in October 2007 for $1.75 million with plans of renovating and reopening it as a multi-use entertainment facility. The extensive renovations are currently underway, and this event is one of several planned this year that will benefit the efforts in saving this historic Franklin landmark. The goal is to reopen the Franklin Theatre in late fall 2010.