The 16th annual Calvanese Foundation Beer & Wine Tasting Festival at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on July 17 benefited the Joe & Kay Calvanese Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals in the Southington community through donations to charitable causes, organizations and schools. Co-sponsored by Southington’s Worldwide Wine & Spirits, the event featured samples of beer, wine and spirits from more than 50 vendors and a separate Premier Tasting section offered sips of high-end wines and spirits. Guests paired beverage tastes with food from the Aqua Turf Club and a variety of local food trucks. The Joe & Kay Calvanese Foundation, a 501(c)(3) since 1996, honors the legacy of the late Joe and Kay Calvanese, who founded the Aqua Turf Club, and their long-standing commitment to community.
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- The 16th annual Calvanese Foundation Beer & Wine Tasting Festival was hosted at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on July 17.
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- The Joe & Kay Calvanese Foundation: Mary Celella, Board Director; Joe Calvanese, President; and Kathy Reinhard, Executive Director.
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- Sharon Vaghi, Brand Ambassador, Litchfield Distillery with the Litchfield Distillery line.
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- Volunteer Bill Shatas highlighting Waypoint Spirits Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
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- Drew Barter, Sales Representative, Slocum & Sons highlighting DAOU Cabernet Sauvignon and Mer Soleil Chardonnay.
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- Brand Ambassador Heather Kolodziej showcasing TUCK Barrel Finished Gin.
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- Melissa Wallace, Brand Ambassador, Neft Vodka.
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- Brand Ambassador Anita Warren highlighting Diablo Dark Red.
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- Jake Morrell, Worldwide Wine & Spirits showcasing Litchfield Distillery Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
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- Douglas Meaney, Via Carota Craft Cocktails highlighting Via Carota French 75 and Ali Welcome, Brand Ambassador showcasing Via Carota Espresso Martini.
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- Tim Raymond, Captain Lawrence Brewing Co. showcasing Row 94 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Daura Damm Non-Alcoholic Beer.
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- Andrew Greenleaf, RI and CT Market Manager, Bully Boy Distillers.
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- Connecticut Distributor, Inc.’s (CDI) Bryon Thayer and James D’ambrosio.
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- Alex Richardson, Allan S. Goodman showcasing El Jimador Reposado Tequila.
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- Volunteer Linda Shatas showcasing Lightstrike Hard Refresher in Lemon Lime and Manny Gutierrez, New Belgium Brewing highlighting Lightstrike Hard Refresher in Orange Mango.
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- Rob Kiernan, Sazerac highlighting Fireball Blazin’ Apple Whisky.
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- Mike Moalli, Whalers Brewing Company highlighting Whalers Rise APA.
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- Jon Ladd, Back East Brewing highlighting Back East Premium Lager.
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- Brand Ambassador Morgan Blaunt showcasing Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey.
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- Peter Lawson, Worldwide Wine & Spirits highlighting New England Brewing Co.’s Fuzzy Baby Ducks, Lager and Sea Hag IPA.
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- T.J. Griffin, Sales Representative, CDI showcasing Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret Gin.
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- Two Roads Brewing Company’s Caitlin Guelakis showcasing Two Roads Summer Heaven Tropical IPA and Steve Anderson highlighting Nightshaker Espresso Martini in Salted Caramel.
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- Ashley Thompson and Ashley Magdon, The Finnish Long Drink.
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- Byron Kidd, Field Sales Manager, Constellation Brands pouring wine for a guest.
