Wine lovers across Ontario embarked on a virtual wine tasting last Friday led by wine experts who walked guests through a ‘blind’ tasting as part of a fundraiser supporting the DeafBlind Ontario Foundation.
The online fundraiser called The Finer Senses saw more than 300 people in 166 households participate from the comfort of their homes. Guests were provided with three bottles of wine prior to the event with the labels hidden. Wines were paired with snacks, a wine tasting mat and wine colour wheel, all provided by Trayvino Wine Company in Newmarket.
Presented by Resident Care Pharmacy and Silver Linings Health Care, this was DeafBlind’s second year hosting the virtual event raising $30,00 for charity.
Members of the Trayvino Wine Company guided guests through each sip of wine before revealing the name of wine and where it came from (sponsored by BlueSky Communications). The three wines hand-picked by Trayvino for the event were: Espiritu de Chile: Viajero (#1 Chilean, Sauvignon Blanc), Black Oak (#2 California, Cabernet Sauvignon), and Canciller (#3 Argentina, Malbec).
The wine tasting was harmonized with a live online auction that had many participants going head-to-head, bidding on exciting items and experience prize packages such as a mixology course, wine tasting tour, or a trip to Blue Mountain.
“While making the most of current circumstances, The Finer Senses brought people together for a good cause during National Deafblind Awareness Month,” said DeafBlind Ontario Foundation.
“It was my first [wine] tasting with DeafBlind and it won’t be my last!” expressed Hayee Keyes who participated in the blind tasting last Friday. “The event was so well organized and the hosts were super engaging!”
Keyes said she complimented the virtual wine tasting with a charcuterie board to enhance her experience and adds she really loved how interactive and lively the entire event was.
“My favourite wine was bottle #1 – the Sauvignon Blanc from Chile,” she said. “I loved how they made it a guessing game – it really added to the experience and reaffirmed the ‘senses’ theme.”
Keyes and others also expressed how much guests enjoyed the live auction, which was new this year for the event.
“We were really happy with the event,” said Susan Manahan, director of development and communications with DeafBlind. “It ran very smoothly!”
Manahan added it was DeafBlind’s first time working with Trayvino and the company took care of everything, including selecting, packing, and delivering all the wine boxes, as well as hosting the blind wine tasting on the night of the event.
Last year’s virtual wine tasting organized by DeafBlind raised $18,500, and in comparison with this year’s $30,000 raised, Manahan attributes the success to the addition of the live auction.
“We learn things year to year, what to improve on, surveys, etc.” says Manahan. “An online auction two weeks in advance gave people the opportunity to support – that made a big difference.”
DeafBlind Ontario thanks the following sponsors for their support of this successful event: Accessibil-iT, Magna, Needham Promotions, Bradford Family Dentistry, BlueSky Communications, Anjac Construction, Snyder Construction, Voll’s Contract Flooring, Electrical Elite Inc., TD Bank, Crate Designs Furniture, AVP Electric Ltd, Gary’s Service & Towing, Morrison CPA Professional Corporation, Pam Bechard – Royal LePage RCR, The Printing House, Metroland Media, Village Media, Rock 95 & 107.5 Kool FM.
DeafBlind Ontario is planning another wine tasting in October (based out of Ottawa) and will include a chocolatier, winery and moonshine. Stay tuned for more details on their website: www.deafblindontario.com
