Willow Park’s Diamond Ball a stunning evening

For lovers of wondrous wines, fabulous food, divine decor, starstudded entertainment and awesome auction items, the annual Willow Park Wines & Spirits’ Charity Wine Auction is just the ticket. And this year’s, the 25th annual Diamond Ball event was a stunning evening not soon to be forgotten. Readers may recall that over the years, the event has raised considerable funds for myriad local charities (more than $5 million) through its Vintage Fund. This year, the more than $280,000 raised will support a variety of charitable foundations including the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and Wellspring Calgary.

Whether the gorgeous decor, entertainment from the Alberta Ballet School and Famous Players Band, the more than 100 silent auction items and 30 live auction items, or the food and wine stations, the evening had something for everyone.

Event co-chairs Scott Henuset and his wife Suzanne Henuset are to be saluted again this year on a job well done. Joining this dynamic duo at the event were: proud parents and Willow Park Wines & Spirits’ founder Wayne Henuset and his wife Liz with family members Reid Henuset and his wife Karen, and Michael Henuset and his wife Mylin; colleague Peggy Perry and her husband Brien Perry; winemakers Francesco Mazzei and Mattieu Bordes; Hotel Arts’ Mark Wilson and his wife Kerry; Herald colleagues Lorne Motley and Laura Linnell with their spouses Suzanne Motley and Gord Linnell; Hyatt Regency GM Amy Johnson; McManes Automotive’s Jim McManes with Wynn Carr; Glass Revolution’s Lionel Gardner; Brendan Hunter; Pacific Wines & Spirits’ Linda Robinson; Big Rock’s Paul Howden and his wife Marney with colleague Alastair Smart; Precision Drilling senior vicepresident Doug Evasiuk with his wife Linda Evasiuk of WP Tours; Tourmaline Oil’s Darrin Ryan and his wife Carla; Noble Ridge’s Jim and Leslie D’Andrea; KPMG’s Marcell D’Egidio and his wife Laura; Willow Park Wines’ Kelsey Palmer; Jim Carter and Heather Shaw; auctioneer Dave Sharp; and others pictured.

PHOTOS: BILL BROOKS Willow Park Wines & Spirits’ 25th Charity Wine Auction, held Nov. 3 in support of the Vintage Fund, was a great success, raising more than $280,000. Pictured at the Diamond Ball themed fete are co-chairs Scott and Suzanne Henuset.

Jim McManes and Wynn Carr.

Herald scribe Bill Brooks gets a cheek smooch from Pacific Wines & Spirits’ Linda Robinson.

Precision Drilling senior vice-president Doug Evasiuk and his wife Linda.

Noble Ridge owner and CEO Leslie D’Andrea with owner and chair Jim D’Andrea.

Francesco Mazzei, vice-president and CEO of Marchesi Mazzei S.P.A. was but one of the many winemakers in attendance at Willow Park Wines & Spirits 25th Charity Wine Auction held on Nov 3.

Willow Park Wines & Spirits’ Wayne Henuset and his wife Liz.

KPMG’s Marcello and Laura D’Egidio.

Calgary Herald editor Lorne Motley and his wife Suzanne.

Darrin and Carla Ryan.

Reid and Karen Henuset.

Katty Quinones was but one of the eye-catching performers.

Jenn Edgar perches atop the Taittinger Champagne Tower.