WILLOW PARK WINES AND SPIRITS 19th CHARITY WINE AUCTION: VENETIAN MASQUERADE

Guests are welcomed to the charity wine auction with this sign

Taittinger is served to guests as they enter by beautiful ladies peering from behind feathered masks

The offering from Fairmont - shortribs

The friendly Black Hills President, Glen Fawcett serves up a lovely viognier

Masks adorn a table of wine from Carpineto

At the Fonseca port table

Two ladies clad in costumes appropriate for the venetian theme

Flourless chocolate cake from Buzzards Restaurant and Bar

A guest wears an elaborate mask accented with green

An ice carving at the Grand Marnier station

Great Events' display of desserts are hidden in treasure chests with a purple mask to watch over all

Two ladies dressed for Venice (by way of Calgary)

One of the evening's bands - Penny Saborn Trio

A gorgeous salmon sphere display at Great Events

The chefs from the Hyatt Regency present their dish

Friendly Javier Santos of Grand Marnier holding a bottle of the luxurious Quintessence, one of many special pourings of the evening

Dancers performed perfectly choreographed numbers all to the tune of classic music

A masked man donning red and black

Scallop poached in ice wine from Redwater Rustic Grille

A juggler performs as part of the evening's entertainment

Two partygoers toast the evening's festivities

A work of (body) art - the pair are matched in shades of blue

One of two living statues that graced the cellar floor

Peggy Perry, Vice President Purchasing & Marketing at Willow Park Wines & Spirits

Grey and pink tones an ode to the evening's Venetian theme

A beautiful mask capped off by a violet wig

Another period costume beautifully suited to the evening

All smiles in strands of pearls

The offering from Rush restaurant - cones filled with lobster and foie gras

A mask resembling a butterfly's wings contrasts the jewel tones of a sari

Lady in black - a stunning look

The dancers took to the stage to perform in costume

Wayne and Liz Henuset, owners of Willow Park Wines and Spirits

A vision in white

A lovely blue frockwith lace and topped off with an ostrich feather mask

As Taittanger was poured from bottles, ladies in sumptuous Venetian style costumes sashayed
through a crowd gathered to celebrate Willow Park Wines and Spirits 19th Charity Wine Auction.
Jugglers, live statues and period costumed dancers provided entertainment while a live band played throughout the evening.

There were, of course, some wonderful wines and spirits on offer.  Some of CSL's favourites included Quintessence the $1000 bottle from Grand Marnie, the Fonseca Quinta do Panascal 2005, Black Hills and Chateau Palmer. 

Restaurants including Belgo, Catch Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Hotel Arts, Yellow Door Bistro, La Chaumiere, and Rush provided delicious plates (many dishes were prepared with wine).  From scallops and shortribs, to macarons and lobster bisque, there was a dish to pair with every wine. 

As an air of mystery permeated the cellar floor, guests tried to identify their interlocutors, hidden behind gorgeous masks.  Dazzling displays of colour bathed guests in lavish tones of violet and hot pink, while crystals hung from the ceiling.  Near the stage, a snaking line of auction items lay waiting for bidders (all proceeds in support of the Vintage Fund).

Though it was an evening of mystery, guests were certain of one thing - enjoying a wonderful time.

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