TumTum Tree Foundation auctions wines to benefit Alabama’s children.
By Jan Walsh
Photography by Beau Gustafson
The TumTum Tree’s Annual Charity Wine Auction Weekend directly benefits Alabama children’s charities. The charities include Magic Moments, Kid One Transport, Mitchell’s Place, The Red Barn, Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, UAB’s Institute for Arts in Medicine (AIM), Glenwood Autism and Behavorial Health Center, and Angel Pilowcases.
The event dates to 1990 and a dream to help Magic Moments grant wishes to Alabama children with life-threatening or life-altering diseases. “We are very pleased that our auctions over the intervening years have allowed us to expand the scope and number of Alabama children’s charities that we serve,” said Tom Miller, executive director of the TumTum Tree Foundation. In March 2016 the TumTum Tree Foundation presented checks totaling $461,000 to nine organizations dedicated to improving the lives of Alabama’s children. And during the past 26 years, the foundation has donated more than $10.5 million to Alabama children’s charities.
This year’s 27th Annual Charity Wine Auction Weekend is America’s longest running charity wine auction benefiting children’s charities and will be held on November 3–5. The weekend begins with a wine tasting and silent auction at Regions Field and private winemaker dinners afterwards, on Thursday, November 3, at the following Birmingham Restaurants' Member Restaurants:
Revana, Alexana, Corazon del Sol at Bottega - SOLD OUT
LIOCO at Galley and Garden - 25 Seats
Vineyard 7&8, Retour - GianMarco’s - 40+ seats
Du MOL - Ocean - 50 seats
Arrow & Branch - OvenBird - 12 seats
Fries Family Vineyard + Arkenstone - Satterfield’s - 40 seats
On November 4, a Paulée-style dinner and live auction will be held at The Club. Among the rare bottles and vintages in this year’s auction are Harlan Estate 1995, Screaming Eagle Cabernet, 1996, and a 3L bottle Emeritus William Wesley Pinot Noir 2013. And the weekend winds down with a tailgate party in Auburn, at the Auburn vs. Vanderbilt football game on Saturday, November 5.
Honorary chairperson of this year’s event is Dr. Madaiah Revana of Revana Family Vineyard, Alexana Winery, Corazon del Sol and Sitar. “We are excited and privileged to have the long-term support of our incredible local sponsors and donors, our exceptional California and Oregon wineries who donate rare wines and wine experiences and our well-respected, local area restaurants who host our private winemaker dinners. These elements and our local volunteers join together to make this event a tremendous success year after year.” In addition to Miller other Board Members include Peter Curtin, Susan Curtin, Doug Eckert, Kim Fowler, Stephen R. Hunt Jr., Jamie LeDoux, Stewart Lee, Kelly Logan, Susan Lowder, Ryan Lutz, Jake McKenzie, Danny McKinney, and Brandon Smith.
View TumTum Wine Auction 2016 Events