The 14th annual Calvanese Foundation Beer & Wine Festival at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on July 27 benefited the Joe & Kay Calvanese Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals in the Southington community through donations to charitable causes, organizations and schools. Co-sponsored by Southington’s Worldwide Wine & Spirits, the event featured samples of beer, wine and spirits from more than 50 vendors, and returning for its second year, a separate Premier Tasting section offering tastes of high-end wine and spirits. Guests paired beverage tastes with food by the Aqua Turf Club, Blackie’s, Smokin’ With Chris, The Lab @Kraftwich, Craftbird, Fork in the Road and more. The Joe & Kay Calvanese Foundation, a 501(c)(3) since 1996, honors the legacy of the late Joe and Kay Calvanese, who founded the Aqua Turf Club, and their long-standing commitment to community.
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- Anthony Urillo, Director, Joe & Kay Calvanese Foundation; Kathy Reinhard, Executive Director, Joe & Kay Calvanese Foundation; and Taylor Deegan, General Manager, Worldwide Wine & Spirits and Event Organizer.
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- Jake Morrel, Assistant Manager and Gary Gurecki, Beer Manager, Worldwide Wine & Spirits.
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- Sarah Appleby, Worldwide Wine & Spirits with Voga Prosecco Rosé.
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- Alex Richardson, Allan S. Goodman highlighting Oak & Eden Torched Oak 4 Grain & Spire Whiskey.
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- Angela Salvatore, Brand Ambassador; Rachel Landau, Sales Coordinator, Tito’s Handmade Vodka; and Casie Sullivan, Brand Ambassador.
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- Colin Baldwin, Account Development Specialist, Connecticut Distributors, Inc.
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- Jessica McClure, Regional Sales Representative, Winebow showcasing Col Dorato Prosecco and Micro-Cosme Sauvignon-Viognier.
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- Volunteer Kathy Chiulli showcasing Centered Cabernet Sauvignon and Josh Rivera, Sales Representative, Worldwide Wines highlighting Invivo X Sarah Jessica Parker Sauvignon Blanc.
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- Vincent Melita, MD&S Distributors showcasing Root Out Whisky.
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- Andy Tremaglio, Sales Manager, Votto Vines.
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- Sharon Vaghi, Brand Ambassador, Litchfield Distillery.
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- Sam Schulten and Art Williams, Fifth State Distillery.
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- Douglas Meaney, CT Market Manager, Via Carota Craft Cocktails showcasing Via Carota Old Fashioned.
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- All of Latitude Beverage Co.: Jayden Morgan, Darchell Wilson and Emmanuel Rodriguez.
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- Brand Ambassador Noah Bonner and Debbie Licho, Co-owner, Waypoint Spirits.
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- Ed Sherman, CT and RI Market Representative, Caledonia Spirits showcasing Barr Hill Gin.
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- Brand Ambassadors Joanna Denovelis and Wendyann Fowler highlighting Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin.
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- Jesse Springer, New England Brewing Co. showcasing Sea Hag IPA.
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- Joe Orsini and Mario Russo, Lawson’s Finest Liquids.
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- Colin Johnston, Boston Beer Co. highlighting Dogfish Head Distilling Co. Crush Variety Pack.
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- Jessica Rice and Dion Hall, Two Roads Brewing Company.
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- Steve Turpak and Josh Johnson, Stormalong Cider.
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- Manny Gutierrez, New Belgium Brewing.
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- John Henry, John Henry Co. Craft Spirits showcasing Penelope Toasted Bourbon.
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- Brand Ambassador Erin Duggan showcasing Lolea Light Frizzante Sangria with Red Wine.
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- Brian Meyers, Continuum Distilling.
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- Julia Bailey and Megan Smith, Worldwide Wine & Spirits.
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- Donna Tuttle, Dining Room Manager, Bread for Life showcasing Camus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon.
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- Leif Aronsen, Worldwide Wine & Spirits pouring Armada Brewing Night’s Executioner.
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- Volunteers Kim and Nick Stavola.
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- Volunteer Jim Junkins highlighting Stagg Jr. Barrel Proof Bourbon.
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- Donna Ayer, Volunteer pouring Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon.
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- Peter Lawson, Worldwide Wine & Spirits with selections from Laphroaig.
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- Scott D’Addio, Transcend Beer Crafters.
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- Oscar Sanchez, New England Cider Co. highlighting New England Cider Co. Fresh Blend.
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- Kaitlyn Hamby, Propel Beverage showcasing Pepecello Limoncello.
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- Brand Ambassador Dick Daley highlighting Harpoon Brewery American Flyer Lager.
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- Derrick Bovee, Berkshire Brewing Company showcasing Berkshire Brewing Company Sugarloaf Sunrise.
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- Volunteer Bill Shetas; Mike Gherard and Paul Jaronko, Martignetti.
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- Brand Ambassador Lina Axmacher highlighting Codigo 1530 Tequila.
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- Volunteer Linda Shatas highlighting Longevity Cabernet Sauvignon and Brand Ambassador Stephanie O’Connor showcasing Lolita Red Blend.
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- Brand Ambassador Cassandra Tambling highlighting Downeast Unfiltered Craft Cider in Blackberry.
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- Mike Moalli, Whalers Brewing.
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- Volunteer Chris Cipriano showcasing Plantation Fiji Rum.
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- Missy Cipriano, Director of Operations, Bread for Life with selections from Pierre Ferrand Cognac.
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- Brian Kubeck showcasing Cutwater Strawberry Margarita and Pineapple Margarita.
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- Brand Ambassador Kathi Savage with selections from Fresca Mixed.
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- Larry Golia, Counterweight Brewing.
