Borrego Sun - Since 1949

Get your seasonal groove on by coming out to celebrate with friends friends, family and neighbors at the second annual Soroptimist International Borrego Springs “Toast to Borrego” wine tasting fundraiser event, happening Saturday, Dec.2, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center, 401 Tilting T Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004. Last year was so much fun, we decided to hold the event again this year!

The event will feature five unique wines hand-selected by leading California fine wine broker and distributor Kimberly Jones of Kimberly Jones Selections. We are thrilled to have her expertise again this year! We will also be offering non-alcoholic drink choices for those who want to come to the event but don’t want to drink alcohol. These will include “Mocktails,” coffee and water.

Appetizers paired to each wine selection will be specially-crafted and presented by local chef owned B-Side Caters (aka Kesling’s Kitchen). We are also excited to have chef’s culinary presentations be a big part of our event again.

Entertainment will be provided once again this year by local favorite and classically-trained pianist, arranger and conductor, Steve T. Hunter. Steve played so wonderfully last year that we are also extremely pleased he has agreed to provide an encore experience for us.

In addition, and just in time for the holidays, many uniquely-themed, hand crafted gift baskets prepared by our local Soroptimist members will be raffled off to the lucky winners in attendance. Gift basket themes this year are planned to include: “Taste of Germany,” “African Dreams,” Kitchen Kicks,” “Date Night,” “Bird Watchers,” “Let’s Have an Art Attack,” “New Grandparents,” “Taste of Borrego,” a “Golf” basket, “Barbie’s Nutcracker Christmas,” “All You Need is Love and a Cat,” and more. We will also have several gift certificates donated by generous local sponsors and special silent auction items to win!

Entrance to the event can be purchased by making a $50 donation if purchased in advance or by paying $60 at the door if tickets are still available. A list of ticket purchasers will be utilized at the event entrance to provide each attendee with drink/appetizer tickets for five wine tastings plus each of their paired appetizers. Guests choosing not to drink wine can use these same tickets for just the appetizers, and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided free of charge.

Proceeds fund local Soroptimist programs that help young women reach their education and career goals. Examples of these activities include the Live Your Dream scholarship program and the Dream It, Be It program. The Live Your Dream program is a unique education award for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. These awards help women by giving them resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. The Dream It Be It program reaches girls in secondary school who face obstacles to their future success. Other funds go towards tutoring, community events, seasonal giving campaigns designed to celebrate women and personal big sister support to encourage young women to be self-supporting and independent.

Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.siborregosprings.org/events/soroptimist-wine-tasting/. Click on the Buy Wine Tasting Event Tickets bar and enter $50 in the Amount field. Once this is entered, please help us receive the full $50 amount by also checking the box to pay the small fee amount charged of $1.52 that will then populate automatically.

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased by mailing checks to Soroptimist International Borrego Springs at PO Box 504, Borrego Springs, 92004.

Parking is limited so please plan to carpool if at all possible. Most parking will be on the side of Tilting T Drive close to the venue.

Cheers!