PONCHO to Welcome Honorary Vintner Ferdinando Frescobaldi to 19th Annual International Wine Auction for the Arts

SEATTLE, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of the arts, PONCHO has announced plans for the wine event of the year: Italia! Vino Arte, the 19th Annual International Wine Auction for the Arts, to be held May 22, 2010 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. Ferdinando Frescobaldi, president of Frescobaldi wines and esteemed member of the Frescobaldi family of Tuscany, with over 700 years of viticulture influence, joins Northwest wine connoisseurs, cuisine lovers and arts supporters alike as the event's honorary vintner.

PONCHO's International Wine Auction offers patrons a chance to bid on rare and unique auction lots from around the world. Italia! Vino Arte will showcase Italian culture through the most acclaimed wineries, world-class chefs and exceptional cuisine. The auction will also feature large format bottles from around the world, including France, Napa Valley and our own distinguished Washington Wines. PONCHO is proud to have Fritz Hatton, one of the nation's leading wine auctioneers and founder of Arietta Wines in Napa, Calif., as the evening's auctioneer.

The auction attracts a mix of avid wine collectors and new enthusiasts who come together to celebrate the art of wine. This year's festivities are co-chaired by Doug True and Bob Parks, both local philanthropists, and Dan McCarthy of McCarthy & Schiering Wine Shops.

"We look forward to bringing the community together in support of the arts, and enjoying an evening of fine international wine," said event co-chair Doug True. "PONCHO is honored by Mr. Frescobaldi's participation in support of our arts organizations. We are honored to welcome him to Seattle and to the auction events," added PONCHO Executive Director Lorna Kneeland.

Weekend highlights include:

• An exclusive Vintner's Dinner with Ferdinando Frescobaldi on Friday, May 21, held at the private residence of Doug and Janet True for VIP ticket holders.

• Italia! Vino Arte, one of the Northwest's premier wine auction events with honored vintner Ferdinando Frescobaldi, will be held on Saturday, May 22 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel.  

About PONCHO

PONCHO (Patrons of Northwest Civic, Cultural and Charitable Organizations) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to enriching the quality of life in this region through increasing resources and community support for the arts. Since it was founded in 1963, PONCHO has raised more than $34 million to support over 200 local arts organizations. For more information, visit: http://www.poncho.org

About Frescobaldi

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi, one of the most important producers of premium-quality wines in Italy, currently owns the largest extent of vineyards in Tuscany, with 1,200 hectares shared by seven estates, all located in viticultural areas and dedicated to the production of prestigious DOCG, DOC, and IGT wines. Ferdinando Frescobaldi is currently president of Compagnia de' Frescobaldi s.p.a., the Frescobaldi family holding company that directs the group's companies, and he serves as President of the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia s.r.l. wine estate. http://www.frescobaldi.com

Event logo:

http://www.ereleases.com/pr/Italia-Vino-Arte-Logo.jpg

Photo of Ferdinando Frescobaldi:

http://www.ereleases.com/pr/Ferdinando-Frescobaldi.jpg

This release was issued through eReleases(TM).  For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE PONCHO