WineFest 2024: Grapebusters


“Ray, when someone asks you if you want wine, you say YES!” For more than two decades, Tampa Theatre’s signature fundraiser WineFest has shown up for some of the most important moments in cinematic history with themes like How the West was Wine, The Vineyard of Oz, Rebel Without a Cork and last year’s Forrest Grape. But there has been one supernaturally superior wine pun that has been haunting us for a long time. So this year, WineFest will manifest with Grapebusters – presented by SouthEast Personnel Leasing – on March 1 and 2.

Start Your Bidding, The Silent Auction is Live!

Can’t attend WineFest this year? You can still support Tampa’s Nonprofit Movie Palace and participate in the silent auction online.  Bidding is open to the general public; an event ticket is not required to participate in the silent auction. Browse and bid virtually!

 

Sneak Peek Weekend Festivities with the 2024 WineFest Program

  • On Friday, March 1, a two-tiered Wine Tasting – presented by The Orlo House and Ballroom – invites you to taste dozens of boutique wines and sample favorite fare from Tampa’s top independent restaurants from 7-10pm. You’ll also have the opportunity to bid on premium silent auction items representing Bay area retailers, restaurants, services and attractions.
    • The Premium Tasting starts at 7:00pm and features exclusive wines for a limited audience. Tickets are $125 ($115 for Tampa Theatre Members). Tickets for the Premium Tasting are SOLD OUT.
    • Grand Tasting ticket holders gain entry at 8:00pm, and tickets are $80 ($70 for Members)

Participating Restaurants include:

  • Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana
  • Boulon Brasserie
  • Cru Cellars
  • Donovan’s Meatery
  • Flan Factory
  • Flor Fina
  • GenX Tavern
  • Green Lemon
  • Hampton Chocolate Factory
  • Oxford Exchange
  • Predalina
  • The Battery
  • The C House
  • The Dan
  • The Pint & Brew
  • Top Shelf Sports Lounge
  • Water + Flour

Participating Wineries include:

  • Breakthru Beverages
  • Chateau Cellars
  • Cru Cellars
  • Dark Door Spirits
  • Hattricks
  • J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
  • Keel & Curley Winery
  • Korbel Champagne Cellars
  • Michael David Winery
  • Peterbrooke Chocolatier
  • Southern Brewing & Winemaking
  • Vino Ghvino 21
  • Webster Barnes Selections

View highlights from the 2023 Wine Tasting

 

  • On Saturday, March 2, the Theatre’s historic stage will be expanded to seat more than 275 for the elegant Wine Pairing – presented by Quality Carriers Inc. – from 6-10pm. The multi-course menu, created through a collaboration between Mise en Place and Metropolitan Ministries’ Culinary and Hospitality teams, will feature delectable small plates expertly paired with exquisite wines. The live auction includes once-in-a-lifetime trips, exclusive experiences, and a high-stakes Wine Pull. Tickets are $400 for individuals and $750 for a pair.  Single tickets to the Wine Pairing dinner are SOLD OUT, please contact Léa Van Name at lea@tampatheatre.com for sponsorship opportunities.

View highlights from the 2023 Wine Pairing & Live Auction

 

And though the theme may seem positively ectoplasmic, WineFest’s purpose is quite solid: as the organization’s biggest annual fundraiser, WineFest has raised more than $1.5 million over the past 21 years for the non-profit Theatre.

“I don’t believe in UFOs, astral projections, mental telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trance mediums, the Loch Ness monster or the theory of Atlantis,” says event chair Zac Foster, “but I DO believe in the mission of Tampa Theatre, and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man-sized amount of support this community brings to the table each year to support its artistic, educational and community programming, and the preservation of this landmark building as we look forward to celebrating its centennial in 2026.”

WineFest guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite character or come in a Ghostbusters-inspired costume. The Wine Tasting and Pairing events are restricted to those 21 and older.

 

Thank you to our supernaturally generous WineFest sponsors!

WineFest 2024 is presented by Southeast Personnel Leasing. 

The Wine Tasting is presented by The Orlo House and Ballroom, with additional support from Mosaic; Older Lundy Koch & Martino; Prida, Guida & Perez, P.A.; Quarles & Brady; Sabal Trust; TECO; Craig Federer of Raymond James; the Bailey Family Foundation; PAR, Inc.; Power Design, Inc.; Smith & Associates; Hill Ward Henderson; and UnitedHealthcare.

The Wine Pairing is presented by Quality Carriers, with additional support from Bank of America; The Bank of Tampa; Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP; Julie & Charlie Britton; Brown & Brown; Creative Contractors; Franklin Templeton; Elizabeth & Chuck Harris; Ellison Advisors; Michael David Winery; Mosaic; Oxford Commons; Patricia Wolfe CPA LLC; Phelps Dunbar; Sports Facilities Companies; TECO; The Tampa Bay Rays and Rowdies; Vinik Sports Group; Visit Tampa Bay; and DLR Group.

Media support is provided by eNox Media. In-kind support is provided by A Chair Affair; Bank of America; Chuck Harris; Clear Channel; eNox Media; Florida Furniture Rental; Metropolitan Ministries; Michael David Winery; Mise en Place; Skyline Limousine; Southern Brewing & Winery; Southwest Airlines; Tampa Bay Rays; and Fred Zielinski.