PAFA's 17th Annual Bacchanal Wine Gala and Auction Brings Marchesi Antinori to Philadelphia

Gala and auction to raise over $550,000 to support student scholarships

PHILADELPHIA (October 26, 2015) - For the seventeenth consecutive year, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) will host Bacchanal. With a 350-guest capacity, the black-tie wine gala and auction will celebrate the world-renowned wineries Marchesi Antinori, Carpineto, and Poliziano alongside award-winning chef Marc Vetri, whose critically-acclaimed family of restaurants includes Vetri, Lo Spiedo, Amis, Alla Spina, and Osteria.

Bacchanal 2015 will be held on November 7 in PAFA's Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, 128 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, and include wine tastings, silent and live auctions of unique items and travel destinations, a gourmet four-course dinner by Vetri Family Restaurants with wine pairings, and dancing. Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby's, New York, will be the auctioneer for the evening. This year's Bacchanal is a celebration of Tuscany and La Dolce Vita.   

Bacchanal is PAFA's flagship wine affair, raising over $550,000 annually to support PAFA student scholarships and education programs. Since its inception in 1999, Bacchanal has raised over $5.5 million to support student scholarships and education programs. Guests include leaders from Philadelphia's corporate and philanthropic communities.   

Consistently recognized as the premier wine and auction event in the region, Bacchanal was cited in 2010 by Haute Living magazine as one of the "Five Best Galas in Philadelphia." Bacchanal 2015 is co-chaired by Pia M.E. Halloran, June M. Smith, William Fretz, and Dr. Stephen G. Somkuti.

A limited number of seats are still available. For details, visit www.pafa.org/bacchanal.

Throughout the week preceding and following the Bacchanal 2015 gala, a series of exclusive gourmet winemaker dinners will take place in private homes. The public is invited to experience Bacchanal via a fun and exciting event at the Philadelphia Navy Yard:

Bravìo delle Botti

On October 28 at 4 p.m., Mark Vetri's Lo Spiedo at the Philadelphia Navy Yard presents a food and wine tasting featuring Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, followed by a barrel race -- a centuries-old tradition in Tuscany. For details and ticket information, visit the Eventbrite invitation here or call Lo Spiedo at 215-282-3184.

Bacchanal 2015 is generously supported by generous donations from organizations including Presenting Sponsor, the Haverford Trust Company; and Major Sponsor, Sherwin Williams. PAFA is authorized to host Bacchanal 2015 by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.