12th annual Grapes and Gates wine, food tasting to benefit Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation will host the 12th Annual Grapes and Gates wine tasting event on May 8 at the Edgewood Clubhouse’s North Room. Enjoy a beautiful Lake Tahoe sunset while tasting exquisite regional wines and gourmet foods from the area’s top restaurants.

“What a wonderful opportunity to support a scholarship program for kids in the Basin, while at the same time enjoying the best food and wine tasting at South Lake,” said Foundation board member and Lakeside Inn president Lon Rusk.

This year’s event, which begins at 6 p.m., will feature gourmet tastings from local restaurants Café Fiore, Cork and More, Latin Soul, Naked Fish and MacDuffs. Tastings will be offered by more than 12 wineries: Caymus Winery, Silver Oak Winery, Rombauer Winery, Vine Cliff, Jeremy Wine Co., Red Poets & Skyhawk Lane, Toasted Head, C.G. Di Arie, Renwood, Un Po’ Pazzo Italian wines, Silkwood and Southern Wine and Spirits. Dance to the music of the David Patrone Jazz Band, enjoy Alpen Sierra coffee and Sugar Pine dessert.

The evening’s highlight will be the award presented by Mr. Bill Killebrew; we invite you to join us as we celebrate “Bill Killebrew” Award recipients Dick and Nancy Gardner for their continued dedication to providing youth in our region the opportunity to participate in snowsports. The ceremony will begin at 7:15pm.

This year’s silent auction will feature a 2013-14 Stagecoach Lodge parking pass and California Lodge parking pass, 2013-14 Heavenly private lesson package for six with Heavenly top-pro Weavin’ Steven, an Epic Pass, a Silver Oak varietal pack, rare artwork, a seven-night stay in Mexico, magnum wine bottles and many other items.

Tickets are limited and can be purchased online at www.heavenlyfoundationteam.org or by calling Foundation director Aimi Xistra-Rich at 530.314.9285. Tickets are $75, $65 for Foundation alumni. Proceeds benefit the Heavenly Foundation’s Scholarship Program.

The winners of the Foundation’s annual Grapes & Gates raffle will be drawn during the event and you don’t have to be present to win. Tickets are $10 each and will be available for purchase at the event; they can also be purchased in advance by calling 530.314.9285. Prizes include $1,000 cash and a $2,000 HSSF 2013-14 tuition scholarship.

About the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation
The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit organization committed to facilitating and leading the local community in the development of programs to encourage youth to participate in winter sports, alpine skiing and snowboarding.

The HSSF operates independently on donations and fundraisers. In addition to providing a safe skiing and riding experience to those within the foundation, outreach and community involvement also play a big part of the base of the Foundation.

Throughout the winter season the HSSF provides scholarships to families whose children would not be able to participate in the race program; hosts a non-race Blue Angels program through the middle school; works with the SOS (Snowboard Outreach Society); works with the Boys and Girls Club of South Lake Tahoe; and organizes multiple events, like the Kinder Kup series, and fundraisers including the annual spring wine gala, Grapes and Gates, at Edgewood. For more information on the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation visit www.heavenlyfoundationteam.org, email aimix@heavenlyfoundationteam.org or call the administrative offices at 530.541.7354.

— Aimi Xistra-Rich is executive director of the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation