2011 Cotes du Coeur Auction Features Unparalleled Wine/Fine Food Experiences

DALLAS, March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Wine lovers will have an opportunity to land at the top of the 18,000-person waiting list for sought after Kosta Browne Winery Pinot Noirs during the upcoming live auction at the 20th Anniversary Cotes du Coeur International Fine Wine Auction & Celebrity Chef Dinner. The allocation of 2011 fall and 2012 spring Kosta Browne wines is part of a package that includes golf with owner Dan Kosta, a rare tour of the winery, and a dinner and tasting.

The package is one of a number of one-of-a-kind fine wine and food experiences that will be auctioned at the Cotes du Coeur gala April 9 at the Hilton Anatole. The black-tie gala and auction is the biggest food and wine auction and gala in Dallas and the second most successful annual gala in the nation benefitting the American Heart Association. The funds are used for research and education about cardiovascular disease, the number one killer of Americans.

Other live auction items include fly fishing and a private dinner in Wyoming with Chef Richard Chamberlain; VIP passes to the B.R. Cohn Winery and Fall Music Festival in Glen Ellen, CA; a VIP wine tour of the Australian outback that includes airfare on Qantas airlines, renowned for its in-flight wine cellars; VIP tickets to the Latin GRAMMY Awards at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas plus a private concert with Carlos Santana; a stay at the Dallas Ritz-Carlton that includes a private dinner with Chef Dean Fearing and tickets to a Josh Groban concert; a night of fine-dining at Chef Kent Rathbun's four Dallas restaurants hosted by the chef, and a golf and spa day followed by a cook-off with Chefs David Holben and Jim Severson.

Cotes du Coeur was founded by members of the medical community 20 years ago as a unique way to support the American Heart Association's fight against heart disease and stroke. During the past two decades, Cotes du Coeur has attracted more than 16,000 people and raised more than $14 million for cardiovascular research and heart-health education.  The five events that comprise the Cotes du Coeur season are renowned for their focus on fine wine, fine food and outstanding networking opportunities. For more information, please visit http://www.dallaswineauction.com.

About the American Heart Association:

Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart diseases and stroke.  These diseases, America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases, claim nearly 870,000 lives a year.  Each year, the American Heart Association invests millions in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit http://www.americanheart.org.

SOURCE American Heart Association