On October 19th we had our best Winetopia fundraiser to date—it honestly gets better every year! With the help of so many awesome individuals and businesses we raised $63,000!
The weather was rainy and cold all day, but cleared up before the event and ended up being the perfect fall evening. The Pratt Place Barn looked beautiful even before we started, but once we were finished it was stunning.
Our guests mingled, ate, drank, and were merry. People tried their hand at the wine toss, relaxed in the lounge, enjoyed high quality drinks, and each other's company. DJ Shortfuze did an amazing job (as always) by playing smooth tunes that livened up the party and made everyone's night just that much better. Our food selection this year was phenomenal as well! We had some of the best cuisine in our area all in one fabulous location: Bordinos, Bocca, Arsaga's and Mockingbird Kitchen! We also had the best desserts! Of course we had one of our absolute favorites, Mia Tarts. Those perfect little delicious pastries have become a staple at our event. However, we had an awesome new addition this year: Pure Joy Ice Cream! They made some delicious flavors in honor of our event and everyone loved it!
Bartus Taylor outdid himself again creating the Buzz Events Lounge outside. As always it was the hotspot and it was amazing. Every year he creates another world outside on the deck and blows us all away. This year is it was simply magical. Everyone perused all of the wonderful silent auction items donated by local artists and businesses. And of course we had pictures of our sweet kiddos all over the barn bringing the point home that all of the work and care that went into that night was oh so worth it.
My favorite part of this event each year is that I am reminded what an incredibly kind and enthusiastically generous community we live in (I mean, honestly). Whether it's the sponsors, donors, guests, or volunteers—people extend a hand to help however they can. I cannot thank you all enough for all of the love and support!
Since it is such a big event, it takes a serious crew to get it all done well and our volunteer crew is the best in the business and I am so thankful! Below are some gorgeous photos of the night taken by the one and only Cole Fennel (Cole Fennel Photography). Please take a moment to look at this list of volunteers, sponsors, and silent auction donors who helped to make this night possible!
Lots of Love & Gratitude,
Sarah Fennel Buchanan
Winetopia Core Crew Volunteers
Alannah Massey—Volunteer Coordinator
Tanj Donovan-Auction
Brooke McDonald- Auction
Chris Beavers-Auction
Herbert “Boo” Buchanan—Event Coordinator (He “puts out fires”)
Joe Fennel- “Carny in the Corner”
Missy Gardner
Cheryl Walsh
Kim Norris
Moses Vincent Agare
Juma Fredrick Ogongo
Ellie Jones
Kaitlyn Akel
Kristi Batchelor
Adam Jones
Curtis Willis
Lana Lyon
Jean Ann Fennel
Bartus Taylor & Buzz Events Crew
Aileen & Nathan George
David & Cheryl George
Honorary Hosts
Dr. Scott & Leslie Baliey
Chris & Jeremy Beavers
Leigh & Candra Davis
Abdi Dubed & Laura Dubed
Linley & Dave Dust
Gary & Teri Head
Chris Goddard & Bartus Taylor
Dr. Allyson & William Mertins
Hassan & Danielle Huntley
Neal & Gina Pendergraft
Dr. Lance & Tareneh Manning
Stewart & Grace Nance
Candace & David Starling
Adam Jones
Sponsors
“Grape Crusher” Level Sponsor
Mertins Eye Care & Optical
Miller Boskus Lack
C&C Services
Greg & Hannah Lee
"Harvester" Sponsor
Roblee Orthodontics
Rockline Industries
Signature Bank
LaVida Massage & Medspa
Underwoods Fine Jewelry
Advanced Monitoring Services
Max & Lydia Maher
“Planter” Level Sponsor
Lucke Dental
I Street Modern Apartment Living
Wine Sponsors
Natural State Distributing
Diamond Beverage Group
Constellation
De Nux
Tardis
Naughty Diva
Bourbon Sponsor
Beam Suntory
Local Craft Beer
Core Brewery
Apple Blossom Brewery
Community Sponsors
Buzz Events
Intents Party Rentals
Moxy Ox
Eventures Party Rentals
Light Works Events
AV Designs
Showerfilter Store by NewMarket Naturals
Pratt Place Inn & Barn
Cole Fennel Photography
Media Sponsors
Citiscapes Magazine
3W Magazine
KUAF
Restaurant Sponsors
Bordinos
Bocca
Arsaga's
Mockingbird Kitchen
Mia Tarts
Pure Joy Ice Cream
Winetopia Retail Wine Shop’s
Liquor World (All Wine Toss Wine)
Cheers Liquor & Wine Shoppe (Silent Auction Wine)
Silent Auction Donors
All Sports Production
Apple Blossom
Arts Live Theatre
Blakeman's Fine Jewelry
Bocca
Bordinos
Brittany Phillips
Candace & David Starling
Chuy's
City Supply Store
Clubhaus Fitness
Dark Star Visuals
Dog Party USA
Dominique Scott
Embellish Boutique
Farmer's Table
Fayettechill
Fayetteville Acupuncture
Fayetteville Pilates & Barre
Fayetteville Roots Festival
FHS Student Council
Flora
Gall Excavation
Glo
Good Things
Grey Dog Vintage Boutique
Heidi Brugliera
Jay Fennel
Joe & Jean Fennel
Kathy Thompson
Khana Indian
Kirk Lanier
Lola Boutique
Lucke Dental
Lululemon
Mae's Emporium
Maude
Mertins
Mia Tarts & More
Michelle Fyfe
Nan Sherry
Nitron
Onyx
Pack Rat Outdoor Center
Petra Café
Phunbags
Pieceful Hands Quilters
Rainbow Valley Lodge (Montana)
Raney Elizabeth Art
Remedy Road
Revive Medical Spa
Riff Raff
Robin Devine
Roger Boskus
Romance Diamonds
Savoir Faire
Shindig Paperie
Southern Trends
Spring Valley Anglers
Sunshine Broder at Shine Salon
Swetnam Cosmetic Surgery
The Bike Route
Theatre Squared
Total Fitness Shop
Trailside Yoga
Underwoods
Walker Bros.
Westwood Gardens
Woodstone Pizza
Yoga Deza
