'Wine And Fare' For Charity At Oheka Castle

The Rotary Club of Northport will host their annual wine and food extravaganza, “,” on Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m.

According to Rotary President James LaMantia, it’ll be an unforgettable night of champagne wishes and caviar dreams.

“Oheka Castle is the second largest private residence in the country,” LaMantia said of the 127 room estate which was built for financier and philanthropist Otto Kahn in the early 1900s.

It’s a regal environment, and as the guests wander through the luxuriously appointed rooms, they will be stepping back in time to North Shore’s Gold Coast era, LaMantia said.

In keeping with splendiferous surroundings, guests will relish the diverse offerings of 26 Long Island restaurants and food establishments, and more than 45 wine and spirit vendors, Chairman Andy Giffin said.

Each room boasts its own ambiance, and specialties from Pumpernickel's, Andreas 25, Legal Seafood, Jellyfish, Nisen, and Besito promise to send diners’ taste buds into high gear.

BottleBargains is proud to help the Rotary organize a host of wines and spirits to be enjoyed throughout the evening, President Mitch Herman said.

"Two Spanish wines that should not be missed are Sincero Tempranillo and Nuvol Monastrell. Guests will also find Perfecto Prosecco from Italy to be just that-- perfecto," Herman said.

In addition, they will be featuring Gray’s Peak, a handcrafted, small batch vodka, distilled five times from premium American grain.

Music and Entertainment Chair Ann Stevens said that each room will resonate with its own vibe thanks to Diane Gudmundsen and her band, Midnight Blue (outdoor tent), Teri George and The Connection (interior courtyard), The Larry Bassen Duo (grand ballroom), and pianist Gabriel Aldort (library). Pianist Stevens will perform with vocalist Kevin Kaye as part of the duo "Moonstruck" in the Terrace Room from 6:15 to 8:15 pm.

 The library will be transformed into a casino, with roulette, blackjack and craps tables. High rollers will be able to cash their chips in for raffles for a truly grand prize: a weeklong getaway (valued at $4,000) at a Vermont vacation home.

Those who purchase a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne for $20 will receive a sachet containing an old penny. At the evening’s end there’ll be a drawing and the owner of the matching penny will receive a $2000 diamond tennis bracelet.

More than 25 Rotarians will be hosting, and guests will have the opportunity to learn about projects dear to the club’s heart such as Rotary International Polio Plus and solar energy and medical missions in Haiti, Giffin indicated.

Proceeds will benefit more than 25 causes, including the Ecumenical Food Pantry, Gift of Life, and the Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk.

Those who wish to attend are advised to buy tickets as soon as possible because the event will sell out. Tickets are $125 per person, and can be purchased at www.northportrotary.com or LaMantia Gallery, 127 Main St., Northport. No tickets will be sold at the door.