Wine-tasting event will benefit charity
Enjoy wine, music and food at the third annual wine tasting benefit sponsored by the Colts Neck Chapter of the Lions Club to treat preventable blindness. The event will be held at the Colts Neck community center in Bucks Mills Park, Bucks Mills Road, from 2-p.m. May 16.
According to Sil Lutkewitte, who again chairs the event with Sal Barbagallo, the wine tasting will benefit the Sight First II campaign of the Lions International Foundation that focuses on the 80 percent of blindness that is preventable and curable.
"The wine tasting event raises awareness of the worldwide efforts of the Lions Club to combat and eliminate major causes of blindness, such as cataracts, trachoma (chronic, contagious conjunctivitis) and river blindness," said Lutkewitte. "Also, it's a fun event where old friends meet and where new friends are made. It's a win-win for all."
Lutkewitte said the average cost worldwide for eye care is $6 and the cost of a ticket to the wine tasting could treat five persons and prevent them from becoming blind.
"The entire cost of the tickets will be donated to the Lions International," he said. "That's because of the generosity and support of local businesses."
About 100 wines will be available for tasting, Lutkewitte said, including vintages from the Four JG's Vineyards in Colts Neck and from the wine distributors of the Colts Neck Buy-Rite Liquors, in the Colts Neck Shopping Center.
The Four JG's Vineyards offers a variety of semi-dry table and rich red wines. It was started in 1997 and is owned by Janet and John Giunco, with Janet as the winemaker. The vineyards' award-winning flagship red wine is the Chambourcin Riserva, a wine with blackberry, spicy nutmeg and coffee herbal flavors and tannins. The Giuncos' best-selling white wine is Cayuga, is a semidry, light and fruity wine with an aroma of apples and a hint of melon.
While the Four JG's Vineyards, 127 Hillsdale Road, Colts Neck, is officially closed to the public until September, it is open for events such as the Mother's Day Wine Trail weekend, May 9-10. For more information call 732-817-9463.
Joe Danek, owner of Colts Neck Buy- Rite Liquors, said his wine distributors will participate in the Lions' wine tasting benefit on May 16.
"There will be about 10 distributors showcasing both domestic and international wines," he said. "Ninety percent of the wines at the event will be from these distributors."
Wine-drinking music will be provided by Bob Leibner, owner for four years of the Custom Shop Music Store, a full-service business, including offering lessons, repair and sale of musical instruments. The shop is in the Colts Neck Shopping Center.
"This year's music will include members of the Moroccan Sheepherders band, a local group, offering their unique and impromptu sounds, unplugged," said Leibner. "Also, B.J. Willis, a music teacher at the Conover Road School in Colts Neck, will perform, solo, singing and playing the guitar offering musical selections, including jazz."
Leibner said his group, Bullet Bob and The Colts, will entertained unplugged with his original pieces of Americana, blues and country music.
"The Lions are such as good group, including helping local residents, that I want to donate my services again to provide the music for this event," Leibner said. "Also, I want to give back to the community and its organizations for all this community has given me."
Delicious Orchards and the Saker ShopRite corporation have donated refreshments that include cheese, crackers and fruit.
Last year's event, Lutkewitte said, raised $6,000 toward the chapter's pledge of $25,000, making a total of $13,000 for the last two benefits.
"It's a great community event for a great cause," he said. "Come and enjoy."
Tickets are available at $30 per person and $50 per couple and may be purchased at the door or from any member of the Colts Neck Lions. Also, tickets are on sale at Perkins restaurant and the Colts Neck Café, both in Colts Neck. For further information, call 732-580-9314 or 732-644-5105.