Wine festival returns to Greer with more cultural flair

Event benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation

Tents are stashed in a corner and posters spill out from cardboard boxes inside the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s office as organizers ready for the Cazbah International Wine Festival in downtown Greer.

After 11 years, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Carolina has accumulated enough tents and tables to become a sort of “rolling street festival,” said Russell Smith, president and CEO.

“We load them up in our own vehicles and haul them over there and set them up on a shoe-string budget,” Russell said.

The charity event that will be from 7-10 p.m. June 11.

Low overhead costs mean that nearly all of the festival’s proceeds, or 90 cents of every dollar, will be used to grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

This year’s goal is to raise $30,000. That’s enough to make dreams come true for at least five children in the Upstate, said Heather Pierce, communications coordinator for Make-A-Wish.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 the day of the event. Each ticket comes with a complimentary wine glass and endless samples of more than 100 international wines. Thomas Creek Brewery and Pelzer-based vineyard City Scape will add a touch of local flavor, too.

Vendors are knowledgeable and can help patrons find the right wine for their tastes, whether dry or fruity or full-bodied, said Cazbah owner Audrey Stenger.

“It’s a chance for people that are sort of stuck on their one wine to explore something different,” Smith said.

The atmosphere is low-key. People enjoy sampling wine and browsing the downtown shops that will stay open until 10 p.m. If they get hungry, the Cazbah will have their signature tapas, including lobster cigars, pulled pork sliders and chocolate empanadas, for sale.

This year’s festival also features live music from singer/songwriter Taylor Moore, Irish band Lissakeole and Caribbean percussionists John Holland and Our World Festival.

More than 500 visitors are expected to come.

“People call us and plan their vacations around it. They don’t want to miss it,” Stenger said.