25th anniversary of Memphis Wine + Food Series continues with the signature Grand Weekend events

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Food and wine lovers are invited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the premiere wine series in Memphis, the Memphis Brooks Wine + Food Series May 19-20 and Sept. 29. Tickets prices are to be announced.

The series continues brings together prominent vintners and award-winning chefs for a series of fundraising events.

This year’s featured vintners for the Grand Artisans’ Dinner include Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey from Scarpetta, Jamey Whetstone with Whetstone and Jeff Ames from Rudius 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 19 at Hunt-Phelan Mansion. The 2017 award-winning chef team includes Andy Ticer & Michael Hudman, Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and Ryan Prewitt. Wines from the featured winemakers will be showcased alongside a four-course dinner from our award-winning chefs.

The series’ signature event, the Grand Auction takes place 5 p.m. Saturday, May 20 under the tent on the plaza of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Winemakers from Scarpetta, Whetstone and Rudius will pour their wines as guests settle into their seats for the evening live auction of more than 50 lots, including rare and high-profile wines, exotic destinations, fine art, jewelry, tastings and private dinners. Guests bid on these items while enjoying the wines and the company of our featured vintners and an abundance of food from Paradox Catering and Chef Jimmy Gentry. This is a high-energy live auction, with proceeds going to the museum’s education program.

The 25th anniversary celebration continues in the fall with Vin-A-Que: Oktoberfest Sept. 29 at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. This popular party features snout-to-tail pork barbecue cooked by the city’s finest chefs and includes wine, liquor, and a deep dive into the microbrewery phenomenon.

Memphis Brooks Wine + Food Series is the museum’s premier fundraising endeavor. Dollars raised from this season of events makes the arts accessible to children and adults across the Mid-South. For the past 25 years, the series has contributed approximately $5 million in net revenue to the Brooks, which directly supports the museum’s award-winning educational and community outreach programs. The museum is a privately funded, not-for-profit institution. With less than 12 percent of its budget provided by government funding, the Brooks relies on the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations for support to meet operating costs and other expenses.

The chairs for the 2017 season are Mark and Annabeth Parker and Suzanne and Jon Scharff. The 2017 Memphis Brooks Wine + Food Series sponsors: Presented by First Tennessee Foundation / ArtsFirst, SouthernSun Asset Management, Buster's Liquors and Wines, North Berkeley Imports, The Peabody Memphis, Hauber Family Foundation, UBS/Mark Parker, nexAir, A2H, Bishop Hearth & Home, Morris Auction Group, Bradley Rice/The Fischer Company, Campbell Clinic, Bill & Lyn Reed, Judy Scharff Fund, Scrubtastic, Signet Inc., Siskind Susser PC and Paulsen Printing.

All proceeds directly impact the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art’s ability to bring arts education to the Mid-South community.

About Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

Founded in 1916 and located at 1934 Poplar Ave. in historic Overton Park, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is home to Tennessee’s oldest and largest  major collection of world art.  More than 10,000 works make up the Brooks Museum’s permanent collection, including works from ancient Greece, Rome and the Americas; Renaissance masterpieces from Italy; English portraiture; American painting and decorative arts; contemporary art; and a survey of African art. The Brooks Museum enriches the lives of our diverse community through the museum's expanding collection, varied exhibitions, and dynamic programs that reflect the art of world cultures from antiquity to the present. For more information about the Brooks and all other exhibitions and programs, call 901-544-6200 or visit www.brooksmuseum.org.

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