We are so excited to kick off our 39th year of fundraising this fall with a bang!

Join Charlotte Wine + Food’s Connoisseurs for a Cause for our 13TH ANNUAL WELLS FARGO KICKOFF dinner and LIVE AUCTION, an unforgettable evening benefiting Charlotte-area charities that bring hope and opportunity to children in our community.

This remarkable event offers guests the opportunity to experience an extraordinary lineup of wines from Viña Concha y Toro's luxury portfolio, led by multiple vintages of the legendary Viña Don Melchor — widely recognized as Chile's original icon wine and celebrated for elevating Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon to the highest level of the world's fine wines. Its acclaimed 2021 vintage made history by earning Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year, affirming Don Melchor's longstanding place alongside the great Cabernet estates of the world.

The dinner will also showcase other exceptional highlights: Viña Amelia Chardonnay, recognized as Chile's highest-rated white wine and an exceptional expression of the coastal terroir of the Limarí Valley; Carmín de Peumo Carménère, one of Chile's most prestigious wines and signature varietals; and Terrunyo and Trivento which will welcome guests during the reception.

Throughout the evening, you'll hear the stories behind these iconic wines and discover how Viña Concha y Toro has become a pioneering force in New World winemaking and a global ambassador for Chile's world-class wine industry.

Don't miss this extraordinary evening of exceptional wines, inspiring stories, exciting live auction experiences, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Charlotte-area children.

Thursday, October 15 | 6:15 p.m.
The cocktail reception featuring an open bar and latin-guitar music by Vadim Kolpakov begins at 6:15 p.m.,
followed by a three-course wine-pairing dinner, live auction and dessert reception.

The cocktail reception will feature specialty cocktails curated by local mixologist Ashley Sarkis - Yunta Nikkei,
in addition to a selection of wines, beer and well drinks.

Menu* created by Porcupine Provisions
See the featured wines below.

Foundation For The Carolinas
220 N Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Attire: Cocktail, no ties required

Individual tickets are $500/seat with $250 of each ticket being tax-deductible.
All seating is at round tables of 8.

Sponsorships are available for full tables with added benefits.
CLICK HERE for Sponsorship Details.

*NOTE: dietary restrictions can be accommodated if indicated at the time of registration.
If buying a table, please notify us of as many guests’ names and their emails at the time of registration.

***Featured wines will be available for sale through the Wine Vault - Elizabeth***
10% of proceeds from wine sales will benefit our charitable partners.

ABOUT VIÑA DON MELCHOR

In 1883, Don Melchor Concha y Toro planted the first vines — brought from the renowned Bordeaux region of France — at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Pirque, just 27 kilometers from Santiago. At the same time, he built the iconic Pirque manor house as well as the winemaking and ageing cellars of the time. It is in this context that the story of Don Melchor wine begins.

In 1984, Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle, then president of Viña Concha y Toro, encouraged his son Rafael and the winery’s enologist at the time, Goetz Von Gersdorff, to travel to Bordeaux, France, to meet with the renowned French wine master Emile Peynaud. Their goal was to present him with Cabernet Sauvignon samples from the Tocornal vineyard, located in the D.O. Puente Alto, on the third terrace of the northern bank of the Maipo River — today considered one of the world’s greatest terroirs for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon.

Peynaud immediately recognized the excellence of the wines from this terroir and recommended that the distinguished Bordeaux consultant Jacques Boissenot take the lead in the project. The initiative then took shape under the name of the winery’s founder, giving birth to the first “icon” of modern Chilean viticulture: Don Melchor 1987.

SEBASTIáN LOPEZ | VICE PRESIDENT OF TRADE DEVELOPMENT USA - Viña Concha y Toro

Sebastián Lopez is Vice President of Trade Development for Viña Concha y Toro in the United States, bringing more than 28 years of experience with the company across winemaking, hospitality, education, marketing, innovation, and commercial development.

Sebastián began his career with Viña Concha y Toro in 1998 after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Johnson & Wales University and completing graduate-level wine studies at the Catholic University of Chile. He started at the winery working alongside winemakers Enrique Tirado and Marcelo Papa, while also conducting tastings for customers and journalists. He later led Concha y Toro’s Hospitality department, overseeing winery tourism and hosting customers and visitors from around the world.

After relocating to the United States, Sebastián took on a variety of roles focused on developing Concha y Toro’s business and brands across the country. Traveling extensively throughout the U.S., he has worked closely with distributors, retailers, restaurants, national and regional accounts, and other key partners, gaining a deep understanding of the complexities and opportunities of the U.S. wine market.

Throughout his career, Sebastián has also had the opportunity to work closely with the Guilisasti family, contributing to strategic initiatives and the long-term development of Concha y Toro’s business in the United States. This close collaboration, together with nearly three decades within the company, has given him a unique perspective on Concha y Toro’s history, culture, brands, and long-term vision.

Sebastián has played an active role in the development of some of Concha y Toro’s most important brands in the U.S. market, including Don Melchor, Amelia, Casillero del Diablo, Bonterra, and Trivento. His responsibilities have evolved over the years to include innovation, new product development, marketing, route-to-market strategy, distributor relationships, national and regional accounts, and identifying new opportunities for growth.

Today, Sebastián works across the organization to strengthen Concha y Toro’s presence in the U.S. market, connecting brand strategy with customers, distributors, and commercial execution. His extensive experience in both wine and the U.S. marketplace allows him to combine deep knowledge of the company and its brands with a practical understanding of how to build and grow them in one of the world’s most competitive wine markets.

MENU & WINE LIST

- WELCOME RECEPTION -
Chef’s Choice Passed Appetizers
2025 Terrunyo Sauvignon Blanc | Casablanca Valley, Chile
2021 Trivento Eolo Single Vineyard Malbec | Luján de Cuyo, Argentina

- FIRST COURSE -
Camembert Tart, Membrillo, Forage Salad
2024 Amelia Chardonnay | Limarí Valley, Chile

- SECOND COURSE -
Local Mushroom Tortellini with Porcini Broth, Parsnip Purée
2023 Amelia Pinot Noir | Limarí Valley, Chile

- THIRD COURSE -
Pork Belly Porchetta stuffed with Wild Boar Sausage and Herbs, Fennel Braised White Beans, Sautéed Greens
2022 Viña Don Melchor | Alto Maipo Valley, Chile
2018 Viña Don Melchor | Alto Maipo Valley, Chile

- SPECIAL POUR -
2020 Carmin de Peumo Carménère | Cachapoal Valley, Chile

- DESSERT -
Dessert feature provided by Chef Edwin Cruz of Edwin’s Organix
PLUS Artisanal Alfajores from Latino Bakes
Champagne courtesy of CW+F

BRUCE & LESLIE SCHLERNITZAUER | PROPRIETORS - 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 children (girls) Megan and Grace. When not cooking for a profit you will find them cooking for a cause every chance they get!

ASHLEY SARKIS | BEVERAGE DIRECTOR - YUNTA NikkEI

Ashley Sarkis is a seasoned mixologist and Beverage Director in Charlotte, North Carolina, leading the beverage program at Yunta Nikkei. With more than 30 years in hospitality, she’s known for polished, guest-first cocktail experiences that balance creativity with precision.

Ashley built her career through previous roles in Austin, Texas and Atlanta, honing her skills along the way.

Beyond the bar, Ashley brings the same energy and discipline to her work as a fitness instructor and personal trainer—making her a standout voice on hospitality, performance, and the craft of showing up at your best.

DAN LYLES | auctioneer

Dan is a professional fundraising auctioneer who has a passion for helping non-profits maximize their fundraising potential. Daniel has conducted hundreds of auctions and is the “go-to guy” for many of the largest fundraisers in Charlotte, NC, Charleston, SC, and Greenville, SC. Dan relies on humor and fun to set the stage for high-impact giving.

His professional experience includes sales, marketing, and brand management. He is a graduate of The Southeastern School of Auctioneering, and is currently an instructor in the school on art and marketing/branding and teaches auctioneers on the state level with continued education courses.

Dan is an active member of the South Carolina Auctioneers Association (SCAA) and the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and serves as Director for the South Carolina Auctioneers Association.