Porcupine Provisions featuring
DENALI ESTATE + PARADIGM WINERY
Join us for this incredible evening as we pair up Charlotte’s top husband and wife catering team, Bruce & Leslie Schlernitzauer of Porcupine Provisions, with a dynamic duo of boutique family-owned Napa Valley producers, Denali Estate and Paradigm Winery, featuring special guests Mary Ann Turrentine, Director of Sales and Hospitality of Paradigm Winery & Anthony Washington, Managing Director of Denali Estate.
Attendees at this dinner will enjoy dining at one long table set for 32 guests on a covered patio at the private home of Bruce & Leslie Schlernitzauer in Myers Park.
This special evening of wine, food, fun, and fundraising is held in support of four Charlotte-area children's charities - Beds for Kids, Digi-Bridge, Families Forward Charlotte, and Wayfinders. Collectively, these organizations serve more than 2,500 children, helping ensure access to stability, education, and opportunity - paving the way for brighter, more secure futures for these children and our community. Learn more here.
The dinner will also offer you an opportunity to give back by making a direct donation, purchasing raffle tickets for exciting prizes, and/or bidding in the Week's auctions.
ABOUT DENALI ESTATE
Katherine & Walt Schlotfeldt’s interest in wine had been as collectors and frequent trips to Napa Valley led to the decision to look for a vineyard. Wine industry friends guided them to a special place perched on a mountainside formed by ancient volcanoes and with a view of the Valley. The Estate had a beautiful home and just over 11 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. They purchased the property in 2012 and redeveloped the existing vineyard and planted new acreage to total 14 acres.Together with winemaker Jean Hoefliger and viticulturist Jim Barbour, they produce an award-winning wine portfolio that includes Denali Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Denali Estate Pinot Noir, Katherine’s Cuvée Brut Champagne, and Katherine’s Cuvée Rosé Champagne.
ABOUT PARADIGM WINERY
When Ren and Marilyn first purchased the 55-acre property that would become Paradigm, it was planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Riesling. They slowly began the process of replanting the vineyard with the Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Zinfandel. After 16 years of growing grapes and selling them to other wineries, Ren and Marilyn, with the help of head winemaker Heidi Barrett, created the inaugural vintage of Paradigm Winery. Since its inception, Paradigm Winery has been vertically integrated, only making wine from the fruit grown on the property.
In 2021, Paradigm became officially certified organic, and in 2023 the vineyard earned accreditation for fish-friendly farming. The family prides itself on farming sustainably with the intention of preserving the land for future generations. Paradigm’s vineyard is managed by Fernando Diaz, who first began working for Ren and Marilyn in 1990. He helped plant many of the vines that still flourish on the property today. After working under former vineyard manager John Silva for 12 years, Fernando received a promotion to vineyard manager in 2005. His tireless efforts in the vineyard show in the excellent quality of Paradigm’s wines.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM Reception | 6:45 PM Dinner
Location: Schlernitzauer Residence in Myers Park |
Address to be provided to ticket purchasers the week of the event.
Special Guests: Mary Ann Turrentine | Director of Sales and Hospitality - Paradigm Winery
Anthony Washington | Managing Director - Denali Estates
Executive Chef | Bruce Schlernitzauer - Porcupine Provisions
Tickets: $250/person plus tax
Gratuity is included in the ticket price, and $100 of each ticket is tax-deductible.
Must be 21+
Hosted by Charlotte Wine & Food Board Members Leslie Schlernitzauer (Chairmen Emeritus) & Jessica Murphy.
MENU + WINES
Coming soon!
Dietary restrictions may be accommodated with advance notice. Please indicate any restrictions the event organizers should be aware of at time of your registration/ticket purchase. Alternatively, please email info@charlottewineandfood.org to notify us at minimum 5 days prior to the event.
CULINARY & BEVERAGE TALENT
ANTHONY WASHINGTON | MANAGING DIRECTOR - DENALI ESTATES
With over 25 years of restaurant experience, Anthony Washington has a deep knowledge of the wine and hospitality industry. Anthony has traveled the United States working in culinary meccas from New York City to Charleston to New Orleans to Napa Valley. In 2008, Anthony was hired as Sommelier of the venerable Augusta National Golf Club to run their legendary wine program.
He spent the next seven years managing the Club’s extensive wine cellar focused on Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy, and California Wines. His responsibilities included the planning and execution of beverage service for all of the Club's events including the Masters Invitational Golf Tournament, as well as working closely with the Club members on their personal wine selections, and collaborating with the Club's wine committee. Anthony also worked as Director of Hospitality for Erin Hills, host of the 2017 US Open Golf Course, where he managed food and beverage service for their multi-venue Golf Resort. Anthony has consulted many years for the US Open and the US Amateur Championship on their food and beverage program.
In 2015, Anthony relocated to Napa Valley, California to join the esteemed Sommelier team at the 3-Michelin-starred The French Laundry where he provided hospitality and sommelier services. Anthony still resides in Napa where he joined Denali Estates as Estate Director in 2026.
Anthony is a candidate for Advanced Certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers. He holds Hospitality and Revenue Management Certifications from Cornell University, a Ritz-Carlton Leadership Certification, and an Advanced Certification with Merit from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust.
MARY ANN TURRENTINE | DIRECTOR OF SALES & HOSPITALITY - PARADIGM WINERY
Mary Ann grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, and graduated with a degree in Agriculture Business from the University of Georgia. Following her passion for food and wine she moved to Napa in 2012, and in 2014 joined Paradigm as Director of Sales and Hospitality.
BRUCE & LESLIE SCHLERNITZAUER | CO-OWNERS - PORCUPINE PROVISIONS
Bruce Schlernitzauer, a Navy brat, is mostly from Massachusetts and Leslie is a Charlotte native. They met in college in Massachusetts and later Bruce went to Johnson & Wales in Cranston, RI in their advanced standing culinary program while Leslie received her MBA from Boston University. In 1994, they arrived in Charlotte and two years later opened Porcupine Café on East Boulevard. After closing Porcupine Café, they opened Porcupine Provisions, becoming one of Charlotte's top caterers. In June of 2020 they launched Gathered, a twice monthly delivery basket filled with carefully curated local lovelies from the catering team behind Porcupine Provisions.
Leslie serves on several boards including Charlotte Wine + Food, Council for Children’s Rights and previously served on the Advisory Board for Charlotte Concerts. They have two adult children (girls) Megan and Grace. When not cooking for a profit you will find them cooking for a cause every chance they get!
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR!
