PBS Presents Great Tastes at Annual Fundraising Event

Rhode Island PBS hosted its annual “An Evening Uncorked!” event at the Pawtucket Armory Arts Center on April 9. Celebrating 50-plus years of public television in Rhode Island, the fundraising event brought together fine wine, craft beers and small bites from area restaurants and purveyors. Guests had the opportunity to meet celebrity guest Chef Maria Lawton during a limited engagement Champagne reception and book signing and participate in a silent auction. Selections from within the beverage industry included those from the portfolios of wholesalers Fox Point Wine & Spirits, Horizon Beverage Co., Mancini Beverage, McLaughlin & Moran, MS Walker, Brands of Portugal, suppliers Narragansett Beer, Whalers Brewing, Rhode Island Spirits and Stonecutter Spirits, and retailers Gasbarro’s Wines among others. Featured cuisine from Just Ellen’s, Inc., Tony’s Seafood, Savory Bites, Blaze Smith Hill, Bywater, Chapel Grille, Gracie’s, Luigi’s, Pot au Feu, Rasa, Res, Yoleni’s, Sweet Bites, Cakes by Eboni and Warwick Ice Cream accompanied the many tastes. The event raised more than $113,000 to benefit WSBE Rhode Island PBS.

: Rhode Island PBS hosted its annual “An Evening Uncorked!” event at the Pawtucket Armory Arts Center on April 9.

: Special guest Maria Lawton, Host, Maria’s Portuguese Table on PBS.

: Cava and Prosecco pours awaited guests.

: Silent auction items included Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016.

: Bryan Powers, Gasbarro’s Wines.

: Jonathan McGowan, Sales Consultant, Wine Marketing Division, Horizon Beverage Co. of Rhode Island.

: Richard Raposo, National Sales Director, Fox Point Wine & Spirits/Aidil Wine, with selections from the Rhode Island portfolio.

: Brand Ambassadors James Groleau and Amanda Farrell, Whalers Brewing Company of South Kingstown, Rhode Island.

: Brand Ambassador Amanda Romanelli, Gasbarro’s Wines, with selections available through Mancini Beverage – Rhode Island Distributing division.

: Wines from Mancini Beverage – Northeast Wines division, including Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz, Sea Sun California Pinot Noir, Truth Be Told Cabernet Sauvignon and Château Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot.

: All from Stonecutter Spirits: Matthew Berg, Co-Owner; Alizia Berg, Sales; Amy Berg, Sales; and Keith Berg, Co-Owner. Distributed by MS Walker, the family-owned, Vermont-based distillery uses top-of-the-line aging practices and barrel finishing techniques.

: Rhode Island Spirits’ Amy Gravel, Tasting Room Manager; Kara Larson and Cathy Plourde, Owners.

: Wines from MS Walker: Hartford Family Winery Old Vine Zinfandel, Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir, Tenuta di Arceno Il Fauno di Arcanum, Capture Sauvignon Blanc and Diatom Chardonnay.

: Portuguese selections from Brands of Portugal Wine & Spirits, including Casca Wines Portie Fine White Wine, West India Madeira, Oppidum Sour Cherry Liqueur and Beirao D’Honra.