Who’s your Papi?
Retired Red Sox star to headline annual Saratoga Wine and Food Festival
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The 17th annual Saratoga Wine and Food Festival has announced Red Sox legend David “Big Papi” Ortiz as part of its 2017 lineup.
The retired baseball star, who recently launched his own line of wines, is expected to headline this year’s festival, scheduled for Sept. 8 and 9 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Ortiz will help kick off the festival by participating in Friday’s Fired Up! event, as well as two smaller gatherings that night spotlighting his Big Papi Cigars and new Arias wines, which was launched with the local Ianniello and DeCrescente families.
Arias is named after David’s mother, Angela Rosa Arias, who died in a car crash in 2002. The multicolored label illustrates two hands raised with index fingers pointing upwards, a salute Ortiz often made to his mother after hitting a home run and now is a symbol to encourage the human spirit to rise against adversity. The Arias portfolio includes a merlot, chardonnay, cabernet and sauvignon blanc.
Ortiz has also introduced a cigar line, Big Papi David Ortiz Cigars, crafted by El Artista Cigars in the Dominican Republic. Its band displays a red silhouette of Big Papi also pointing upward.
The player’s presence is one of many highlights of the 2017 festival, a weekend of events featuring finewine and gourmet food tastings, luxury car displays and VIP experiences.
“It will be tremendously exciting and an honor to welcome Red Sox legend David Ortiz to this year’s Saratoga Wine and Food Festival,” said Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC president andCEO, in anews release. “His signature Arias wine and line of cigars will be coveted additions to the premium offerings of our festival, and his visit will be a major league event. He is not only abaseball hero, heis someone whose life and career have been an inspiration to millions of people. We are proud that such an outstanding and beloved public figure and role model will play a part in this year’s festival.”
A portion of the proceeds from Ortiz’ appearance will benefit the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, an organization that supports lifesaving pediatric care for children in need.
Presented annually at the end of SPAC’s classical music season, the Saratoga Wine and Food Festival is an epicurean showcase featuring two days of gourmet events showcasing fine international wines, innovative chef-prepared menus, cooking demonstrations and wine seminars, expansive tastings, upscale auctions and a luxury auto show. Held under tents on SPAC’s lawn, the weekend is anchored by three events: an Adirondack Road Tour and Luncheon, Friday’s Fired Up! Grill Competition and Saturday’s Grand Tasting and Concours D’Elegance, the festival centerpiece. Another featured event will be the final round of SPAC’s HomeRangers Amateur Chef Competition with judges Suvir Saran and Jay Hajj.
“The Saratoga Wine & Food Festival will be the perfect toast to SPAC’s 2017 season,” Sovol said. “Throughout this weekend, we will celebrate and savor the artistry of flavor, in wines, spirits and cuisine, while enjoying the stunning ambience of the [Saratoga] Spa State Park.”
Presented in partnership with the Saratoga Automobile Museum, proceeds from the festival benefit education programming at SPAC and the museum. Tickets and more information, including the complete festival schedule, are available online at www.spac.org, by calling 584-9330 or in person at the SPAC Box Office.