Wines win for groups

Fundraiser helps sow seeds for good

Jackson L. Graves Foundation supporters gathered Feb. 8 at The Garden Room in Fayetteville for the ninth annual Ooh! La, la! chocolate and wine pairing. The dinner was orchestrated by Chef Miles James of Miles James Hospitality and Jason Willems, Diamond Beverages wine expert. The two collaborated in pairing the two elements to produce a three-course dinner that highlighted the best of both with wines from Chronic Cellars and Jamieson Ranch Vineyards.

Proceeds from the tasty evening will help support foundation projects that include the neonatal intensive care sibling playroom at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and the construction of the Healing Garden at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital in Johnson. The garden includes four sitting areas and a children’s flower picking “Yes Zone.” The completed garden will feature a labyrinth, memorial garden and a fountain.

Among those tasting and toasting were Pat O’ Brien, Tim Hudson, Juli and Clay McWhorter, Debbie and Tim Ogg, Michelle and Steve Wilson, Richard Clifton, Ann and Steve Zega, Sheryl and Greg Harton, Kelly and Scott Syer, Matthew Crouch and Sara and Richard Goodrum.

Wine was also flowing for more than 1,000 guests at the Northwest Arkansas Wine Opener on Feb. 9 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. The benefit helped the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Arkansas raise some $370,000.

Proceeds from the wine tasting event will go to support research for medications to treat the genetic disease, improve the quality for life for those with cystic fibrosis

and find a cure.

Some of the more than 100 wines featured at the 11th annual benefit included varieties from E&J Gallo Winery, Constellation Brands, Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits, Moet-Hennessey, Ste. Michelle Vinyards, Treasury Wine Estates and Trinchero Family Estates.

Next up for the group is Northwest Arkansas Great Strides on May 5 at J.B. Hunt Park in Springdale.

Those sipping in support of the cause included Sharon and Ed Belto, Lee and Lauren Duff, Donna and Barry Fallin, Kathy and Joe Farnan, Lacie Jones, Sarah Grabinski, Ross Sandefer, Sarah Bunch, Shauna Collins, Tamie Cobern and Rosemary Kohrig.

For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwadg.com.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Dan Comstock (from left), Chef Miles James, Jason Willems, Audre Darling and James and Angie Graves welcome guests to Ooh! La,la! on Feb. 8 at The Garden Room in Fayetteville.

COURTESY PHOTO Lori Stevens (from left), Janet Bade, Jenni Kimpel, Mimi Stewart, Jen Senter, Kelly Bullington, Diane Byram, Kim Rugggeberg, Vicki Chalker and Sahar Meyer, Wine Opener committee members, gather at the benefit Feb. 9.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Laura and Craig Underwood attend the Jackson L. Graves Foundation benefit.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jim Large and Amy Seay help support the Wine Opener.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Joe Zorbino (from left), Jayme Chianella and Craig Powell serve wine to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation supporters on Feb. 9.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Woody and Sheri Bassett (from left) visit with Marti and Kelly Sudduth at the Jackson L. Graves benefit Feb. 8 in Fayetteville.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Rolf and Ceri Wilkin (from left) and Kristi Perryman and Paul Blisard attend Ooh! La, la!

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Daril Lattanzio and Mary Anne (from left) and Julie and Keith Barber help support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at the 11th annual Wine Opener on Feb. 9 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Stacey Rogers (left) and Melissa Powell serve wine at the Wine Opener.