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Home > Blogs > Uncorked > Archives > 2008 > October > 16
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Cincy winefest gets down to dollars and cents
The Cincinnati International Wine Festival has issued its annual 2008 Report to the Community, and it’s got some interesting nuggets in it.
First of all, the charitable event donated $250,000 to 26 different charities in and around the Cincinnati area in 2008. That’s a pretty staggering, and impressive, figure — but then, so is the amount donated to charities since the festival’s inception in 1991: more than $2.75 million. Yowzah.
The festival’s report says the median income of attendees is $90,000 (how did they arrive at that figure? Are attendees asked to disclose their annual income when they buy tickets?). It also says that 65 percent of attendees are between 35 and 59 years old, while 28 percent are under 35.
The same festival page that includes the link to the annual report also includes a link about the 2009 honorary festival chairs: Charles and Molly Meeker, co-owners of Sonoma’s Meeker Vineyards.
This year’s main events — the winery dinners and grand tastings — will be held March 12-14.
Festival organizers note that the “Special Tasting Room” will be “back by popular demand” in 2009. I know I’m in the minority on this, but I maintain separate tastings at events such as these are a bad idea, even though I’m sure they generate more money for the event. I continue to applaud the Fleurs de Fete, Dayton’s premier wine and food festival, for resisting the temptation to separate their festival-goers into two camps, one that will be perceived as VIPs and the other left wondering what they’re missing out on just because they didn’t shell out more money.
But that’s a minor quibble for what has evolved into a fun, remarkable, successful event that benefits many worthy causes. You may not have your ‘09 calendars yet, but when you do, you should consider marking March 12-14 off and heading south to the Queen City.
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