Bottoms Up: Wine tastings, beer fests and more new Daily News feature
Southwest Florida is a foodie town but it's also big on wine, craft beer and other beverages of choice.
Similar to our FYI-Food that lists upcoming food events, Bottoms Up is a new feature intended to alert readers about upcoming events. Some include food too, and the idea is for us to help you plan ahead and enjoy some these events.
Email beverage news by the Friday before the Wednesday print publication dates to features@naplesnews.com. Please include the venue’s address and telephone number.
Shaken and stirred
Marco Island Center for the Arts is introducing its new fun-raising event, ARTini on Marco Party.
This event, benefiting Marco Island Center for the Arts, includes live entertainment, dancing, a silent auction and of course, martini tastings. Wine and a non-alcoholic beverage will also be served. Delectable hors d’oeuvres and decadent chocolate will balance your palate.
ARTini on Marco Party is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the art center, 1010 Winterberry Drive. The cost is $50 for members and $55 for non-members.
Beer and baseball
The 14th annual Ballpark Festival beers is 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.
Beer lovers can choose from more than 100 beers at the event held by the Fort Myers Mircale. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event.
Designated driver tickets are available for $10 and include unlimited water and soda. See miraclebaseball.com for more.
Head to Napa Valley
Well, not really but close enough. Truluck's in Naples, 698 Fourth Ave. S., at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 will host a wine-dinner event. It features wines from Napa's Duckhorn Vineyards paired with Truluck's menu selections.
Cost is $150 per person. Book the event at 239-530-3131 or trulucks.com.
Sip, shop and stroll
The first Thursday of each month is Sip, Shop and Stroll at Promenade at Bonita Bay.
Each Promenade shop or boutique will offer complimentary wine, a small bite or sweet treat plus some promotions. The next Sip, Shop and Stroll is 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 1.
Learn more on Facebook.
Taste of SW Florida
Southwest Florida restaurants will appear at the two-day Chubb Classic's food festival, Taste of Southwest Florida. The event is Feb. 16-17 during the Chubb Classic golf tournaments at TwinEagles Club in Naples.
Businesses participating include Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Naples Flatbread Kitchen & Bar, Oakes Farms, Black Eye Pig Barbecue and more.
Guests 21 and older can enjoy local and national craft beers and wines. Cost is $35 valid one day. See ChubbClassic.com for more or try 239-593-3900.
Hotty toddy
National Hot Toddy Day came and went (Jan. 11), but it's worth noting the day — especially during winter. Well, it's not that cold in Southwest Florida, but isn't anytime a good time for a hot toddy?
The website gobourbon.com offered a nice hot toddy recipe. "Did you know hot toddies have been a favorite “medicinal” cocktail since the 18th century, when Scottish doctors started prescribing the dram to soothe and numb sore throats and clear out stuffy sinuses," the website reads.
So, enjoy.