Greater Phoenix Wine, Women & Shoes Comes to the Valley

Napa-Inspired Event to Benefit Sojourner Center
January 22 -24, 2009

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Three years ago, Napa Valley vintner, Elaine Honig, was discussing the growing popularity of wine and food pairing events and jokingly stated that wine and shoe pairing events would be much more fun. Today, Honig’s inspiration has grown into the innovative experience known as Wine Women and Shoes – a national series of imaginative food, wine and shoe fashion events taking place in major cities across the country that has raised more than $2.6 million for women and children’s charities.

Greater Phoenix Wine Women & Shoes will debut in Greater Phoenix with a series of events sponsored by locally based Awesome Wines of California, Inc., to benefit Sojourner Center and their work to overcome the impact of domestic violence, one life at a time.

“In our business, we know that wine is primarily about enjoyment. Wine adds a special pleasure to dining, conversation and celebration with a little fun and discovery. When we learned Wine Women & Shoes was creating these experiences in other cities, we knew we had to bring it home to the Phoenix community,” says Debbie Elder, Chief Operating Manager of Awesome Wines. “Our winery and community connections to make this event a reality sealed our commitment to help benefit the important work of Sojourner Center.”

Greater Phoenix Wine Women and Shoes event will debut January 22, 23 & 24, 2009. Themed in the golden age of luxury railway travel, this series of events is designed to be a three day journey of destinations, offering a variety of entertaining experiences featuring stylish wine, food, women and shoes for Valley residents to enjoy.

“We wanted guests to enjoy an experience with a sense of stylish exploration where they can customize the destinations of their own personal adventure,” says LoriAnn Harnish, Greater Phoenix Wine Women & Shoes Chairwoman. “Besides, the perfect journey should always begin and end with fabulous shoes.”

Reservations are required for all events. Proceeds from all events will benefit Sojourner Center and include the following:

Fleming’s Depots, Wine Tasting and Shoe Paring Receptions: Discover a new way to pair your wines – with your shoes. Celebrated women winemakers and professional shoemmeliers host an evening of playful wine education at all Valley Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar restaurant locations to explain the subtle artistry of pairing polka dots with pinot blanc and more. Thursday, January 22^nd, 6:00pm. $75 per person. Choose from all four Valley Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar locations.

Romancing the Rails, Vintner Dinners: Inspired by the world’s finest railway dining cars, an exclusive opportunity to romance the moment by dining in a variety of breathtaking private estates hosted by celebrity winemakers and award-winning chefs. Friday, January 23^rd, 7:00pm. $250 per person. Choose from three distinctive private estates and dining experiences.

Wrigley Station, Signature Event: The ultimate Wine Women & Shoes destination.  An afternoon of fabulous women wine makers, elite shoe designers, local culinary artists and shopping indulgences. Wine, Women and Shoes will be presenting an exclusive fashion show, live auction and silver platter service for everything -including the shoes. Saturday, January 24^th, 11:30am – 3:30pm. $100 per person / $150 VIP seating. Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix, AZ.

Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the numerous wines showcased through the weekend events at any of AZ Wine Company’s three locations in Scottsdale and Cave Creek.  Awesome Wines of California, Inc. is the exclusive wine sponsor and distributor of these wines.

For more details contact Lori Ann Harnish, Greater Phoenix Wine Women & Shoes Chairwoman at 480.695.8854, myjourney@winewomenandshoesaz.com or visit www.winewomenandshoesaz.com.

About Sojourner Center
Since 1977, Sojourner Center has offered shelter as well as comprehensive services to thousands of women and children fleeing domestic violence. Sojourner Center is the largest domestic violence shelter in the nation with the capacity to serve 2,600 women and children annually. The Center operates 124 emergency shelter beds from its Heritage Campus, 156 beds from its Hope Campus, as well as 15 transitional apartments. Sojourner Center’s mission is to overcome the impact the domestic violence, one life at a time. For more information about Sojourner Center and its programs please visit our web site at www.sojournercenter.org.

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