PAFA’s 19th Annual Bacchanal Wine Gala and Auction

Brings Five California Visionaries to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (October 20, 2017) —  For the 19th consecutive year, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) will host its Bacchanal Wine Gala and Auction on November 11, 2017 at PAFA, 128 North Broad Street in Philadelphia. The black-tie affair will honor five California Visionaries with the 2017 Thomas Jefferson Award, which celebrates exceptional members of the wine industry. This year’s recipients are Chanin Wines, Domaine de la Côte, DuMOL, Kutch Wines, and Wilde Farm Wines.

Guests will enjoy wine tastings, silent and live auctions featuring art, fine wine, and travel lots in addition to dinner prepared by chef Ashley James of Starr Events. The four-course meal will be paired with wines from each of the honorees and followed by live music and dancing. The evening will be emceed by Jeff Hammond and continue into the night with an After Party hosted by PAFA’s Young Friends committee.

Bacchanal weekend kicks off on Wednesday, November 8th with exclusive winemaker dinners in private homes and restaurants in the Philadelphia area. Chefs from Balboa Catering, Fork, Shibumi Farm, and Chef Chris DeFeo will create unique menus paired with Chanin Wines, DuMOL, Kutch Wines, and Wilde Farm Wines. Gavin Chanin (Chanin Wines), Thomas Pillsbury (DuMOL) Jamie Kutch (Kutch Wines) and Pax Mahle (Wilde Farm) will be in attendance at the respective dinners.

Domaine de la Côte’s Rajat Parr says, “It is a privilege and honor to receive this recognition and join the ranks of so many luminaries in the world of wine. I'm excited to join my fellow honorees to raise funds for this remarkable institution and share our wines in the spirit and legacy of America's first wine lover, Thomas Jefferson.”

Consistently recognized as the region’s premier wine gala and auction, Bacchanal is PAFA's flagship fall fundraiser. Since its inception in 1999, Bacchanal has raised $9,000,000 to support the next generation of artists through student scholarships and education programs. Guests include art lovers, oenophiles and leaders from Philadelphia’s corporate and philanthropic communities. A limited number of seats are still available. Tickets start at $700 and tables at $7,500. After Party tickets are $75 and discounted for Young Friends members. For details, visit www.pafa.org/bacchanal.

Bacchanal 2017 is generously supported by Lead Sponsor, The Haverford Trust Company; Diamond Table, The Sherwin-Williams Company; Platinum Table, Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, FMC, Liberty Property Trust, Quaker Chemical Corporation, TIAA; Gold Table, FirstService Brands, Hersha Hospitality Trust, Janney Montgomery Scott, SAP; and Silver Table, Cantor Fitzgerald, Delaware River Stevedores, Inc., John Toates Architecture & Design, PFM, and United States Roofing.

PAFA is authorized to host Bacchanal 2017 by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.