Wines in the Wild deemed as another success for SCCF
The rain couldn’t stop a good time and a productive fundraiser for the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, as the Wines in the Wild fundraiser brought in over 160 reservations from eager people to donate to a great cause Saturday, Nov. 8.
Last year’s record-setting $30,000 worth of donations is being threatened with the 2014 turnout, as Sanibel and Captiva residents enjoyed the tasting of six different wines, which were set up throughout the SCCF facility on Sanibel Island.
“We had three white wines and three red wines set up around the boardwalk and were able to bring it inside, because we were anticipating the rain,” said Tom Uhler, who has helped organize Wines in the Wild, which turned seven years old. “It’s a great event, because it gives the opportunity to guests to converse and walk around tasting the different wines.”
Guests had the chance to talk with SCCF board members and the scientists who work there, because they were the ones serving the wines.
“The Bistro (white) wine was the most popular, as was the Zinfadel Mad Duck,” Uhler said.
Last year’s record of $30,000 raised (which was also the most ever raised during an SCCF fundraiser) was the goal for the 2014 Wines in the Wild and Uhler said after all donations are calculated, that number should be close to being matched or eclipsed.
This year’s theme was “water”, which was appropriate given the rainy night, as well as the big leaps the SCCF has been making over the year with water conservation and monitoring.
The Wines in the Wild is a unique fundraiser and one in which the donators have fun participating in.
“It’s a real social event, where they can be up and moving around,” said Uhler, who also was the auctioneer of the night. “The people of Sanibel and Captiva have always been supportive of the SCCF and many other different causes, as well.”