Limited Tickets Remain For Forks & Corks Events

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals’ (SMO) sixth annual Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival features its acclaimed Winemaker Dinners and Events, Friday, January 25, and Saturday, January 26, 2013, as part of the four-day event, which runs from January 25-27, 2013. Participating Originals restaurants will pair sumptuous cuisine with wines from award-winning wineries. Owners, winemakers and representatives from the participating wineries will showcase wines from their top vintages and introduce new releases. To purchase tickets for a Winemaker Dinner and Event, call the restaurant directly. Following is a list of featured Winemaker Dinners and Events:

Friday, January 25

Napa Valley Wine "Lesson Luncheon" at Euphemia Haye Euphemia Haye § 10:30 a.m. § $100 per person

Participate in a live cooking demonstration with Chef Raymond Arpke. Attendees can watch, interact and learn tips from this award-winning chef as he prepares for a three-course luncheon. To make this gastronome event even more delightful, Chris Phelps of Swanson Vineyards will be bringing his Napa Valley wines, with each course paired with a handcrafted wine. Whether you're already a foodie or just a kitchen novice, Chef Ray makes sure that everyone will learn some chef's secrets and enjoy a delicious meal. For reservations and information, please call Amy at 941-383-3633.

Winter Wine Soiree comes to LBK at Harry’s Continental Kitchens

Harry’s Continental Kitchens § 5 p.m. § $49 per person

Join sommeliers Harry and Hal Christensen with special guests from eight wineries throughout California, Oregon and France for a very special wine event. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres prepared by chefs Ian, Rafael and Miguel, while enjoying the company of wine celebrities. For reservations and information, please call 941-383-0777.

Tuscan Experience with Banfi Vintners and Café Baci

Café Baci § 6 p.m. § $100 per person

Join Roberto Mei of Café Baci as he hosts wine celebrity Luciano Castiello of the famed Banfi Vintners. Chef Roberto will be planning a five-course Italian feast, pairing each course with a wine selection from Banfi Vintners. Rub elbows with one of the most famous Italian wine celebrities while enjoying perfect Italian cuisine. For reservations and information, please call 941-921-4848.

Ophelia's Wine Dinner with Keenan Winery and Mercer Estates

Ophelia's on the Bay § 6 p.m. § $125 per person

Join Michael Keenan of Keenan Winery and Jessica Munnell of Mercer Estates in a spectacular dinner. Chef Dan Olson will create a scrumptious menu to pair with chardonnay, pinot gris and pinot noir wines, to name a few. For reservations and information, please call 941-349-2212.

Colle Massari at Andrea’s

Andrea’s Ristorante § 6:30 p.m. § $120++ per person 

Join Chef Andrea and Maarten Leereveld with Colle Massari for a night of six Italian courses paired with world-renowned, critically acclaimed wines. For reservations and information, please call 941-951-9200.

Classical Wines and Groupo Pesquera at Ceviche

Ceviche § 6:30 p.m. § $85++ per person

Winemaker Jaume Garcia will pair classical wines with a five-course meal of Spanish dishes. For reservations and information, please call 941-952-1036.

Wine and Dine with Friends at Bijou Café

Bijou Cafe § 6:30 p.m. § $85++ per person

Max Erlwein and Luis Burgeno of Cono Sur and Marquis Caceres Winery, along with JP Knaggs, chef-proprietor of the Bijou Café, offer an evening of great wines paired with great cuisine. For reservations and information, please call 941-366-8111.

Robert Hall Winery Comes to Pier 22

Pier 22 § 6:30 p.m. § $74.95 per person

Enjoy a wine dinner featuring California’s Robert Hall Wines, paired with a five-course dinner prepared by chef Greg Campbell. For reservations and information, please call 941-748-8087.

Award Winning Wines at Suncoast Motorsports

Suncoast Motorsports § 7 p.m. § $140 ++ per person

Join host Vance Dickinson, owner of Suncoast Motorsports for an exclusive, upscale dinner in the Porsche Showroom. Medal-winning winemakers, Tom Porter of Porter Family Vineyards (and part-time Sarasota resident), and Ken Bernards from Ancien Wines, will present their medal-earning wines paired with exquisite cuisine catered by Michael’s on East.  Contact Kate Atkin for reservations: 955-3663 or kate@freshoriginals.com.

French Wine Dinner

Michael's Wine Cellar § 7 p.m. § $95++ per person

Discover the delectable wines and dishes of France with host Michael Klauber and special guest winemakers, Phillip Ehrhart of Domaine Ehrhart and Bertrand Ambroise of Domain Bertrand Ambroise. Michael's executive chef Jamil Pineda designed five courses to bring out the intricate layers of the wines. For reservations and information, please call 941-366-0007, Ext. 224.

Saturday, January 26

Seth and The Sandbar

The Sandbar§ 6 p.m. § $95 per person

Owner Ed Chiles and Chef Ian Fairweather present a four-course menu created to highlight Lola wines from the Russian River Valley, and Bodega Rancho, with visiting celebrity winemakers, Seth Cripe, a Manatee County native,  and friend, Derek Beitler. For reservations and information, please call 941-778-8705.

Italian Wine Tour at Café Gabbiano

Café Gabbiano § 6 p.m. § $69.95 per person

Enjoy a five-course Italian meal with winemaker Fabio Balan, and selections from Balan, Diadema and Villa Franciacorta wineries. For reservations and information, please call 941-349-1423.

Friends of Forks & Corks Wine Dinner Hosted By Winemaker Buck Milbrandt of Milbrandt Vineyards

Laurel Oaks Country Club § 6 p.m. § $100++ per person

These talented chefs will delight with delicious, wine-country cuisine made with the freshest local ingredients from partnering farms, and served with a selection of fine wines from Milbrandt Vineyards in Washington State. For reservations and information, please call 941-955-3663 or email kate@freshoriginals.com.

Crow’s Nest with Adelsheim Vineyard and T-Vine Cellars

Crow’s Nest § 7 p.m. § $85 per person

Winemakers Michael Adelsheim of Adelsheim Vineyard and Craig Strange of T-Vine Cellars will showcase wines renowned for their elegance and balanced style. Chef Tony Bellanca will create a special menu for this intimate dinner. For reservations and information, please call 941-484-9551.

Wine Event at the Half-Shell Oyster House

Half Shell Oyster House § 7 p.m. § $55++ per person

Join winemakers Laura Fargeot and Alistair Soper at the Half Shell Oyster House for a event paired with wines from Wines from JP Chenet, Helfrich, Highfield Estates, and Villa San Juliette. For reservations and information, please call 941-952-9400.

Italian Wine Dinner at Michael’s

Michael's Wine Cellar § 7 p.m. § $95++ per person

Join Michael Klauber and visiting winemaker Leonardo Locascio for a night of Italian food, paired with wines from Poggio al Tesoro, San Polo and Allegrini. For reservations and information, please call 941-366-0007, Ext. 224.

Polo Grill Winemaker Par-Tay

The Polo Grill § 7 p.m. § $60 per person

Mingle with celebrity winemakers visiting from Cass Winery, Banfi Vintners, Trefethen Family Vineyards, Brassfield Estate, Bell Wine Cellars, Michael David Winery, Ancien Wines, Swanson Vineyards and Capture Wines! Sample various wines while noshing on delectable food. For reservations and information, please call 941-782-0899, Ext. 235.

The sixth annual Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival is sponsored, in part, by Sarasota Magazine, Suncoast Motorsports, Icard Merrill, Florida Hospitality Insurance Agency, Gateway Bank and Admiral Travel.

For more information about the sixth annual Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival, visit www.freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks or call 941-955-3663.

The Festival at a Glance:

Friday, January 25, and Saturday, January 26

• Winemaker Dinners and Events at participating Sarasota-Manatee Originals member restaurants. Visit www.freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks for up-to-date information.

Saturday, January 26; 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

• Forks & Corks University: Two interactive seminars led by recognized wine experts from around the world: California Road Show is Saturday, January 26, 2013, 9:30 a.m. -1 p.m., at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Ave. S., Sarasota; $75+. "A World of White“ and “Big, Red and Beautiful” is Saturday, January 26, 2013, 9:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m., at Michael's Wine Cellar, 1212 East Ave. S., Sarasota; $150. This program features a diverse selection of international white varietals in the morning and a four-course gourmet lunch catered by the Sarasota-Manatee Originals member restaurants featuring wine pairings with each course. Following lunch, enjoy the afternoon session sampling and learning about the "Big Reds." More info and tickets: www.freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks.

Sunday, January 27; noon-4 p.m.:

• The Grand Tasting at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard. An afternoon made for foodies! Partake of the signature dishes of Originals member restaurants and the best wines from acclaimed guest wineries. Tickets are sold out and will not be sold at the door.