Filed Under Off Topic · Tagged: Ault Park, Bacchanalian Society, Cincinnati, Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Wine, Young Professionals · Print This Article
Cincy’s Bacchanalian Society “ensures that the finer things in life are enjoyed without pretense and always in the company of good friends.”
Named for Bacchus, the Roman deity of wine and merriment, this group for young professionals embraces not only the power of wine but its social benefits.
But it’s not just a group for sipping and socializing. The Society helps charities organize and conduct wine tastings every quarter. So, with only four events a year, each one is a big event.
The Bacchanalian Society is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that is led by a dedicated team of officers along with groups of hosts. The Society was founded in 2002 by Todd Fisher, Kevin Ghassomian and Ashley Hess. It started small, and grew. Somewhere along the line they began raising money for charities at their gatherings, and the philanthropy continued.
Want to check it out? Now is the perfect time. There’s a big Bacchanalian Society event this Thursday, May 7 at Ault Park. The benefiting organizations are Cincinnati Parks Foundation and Give Back Cincinnati.
Here’s how the events work, according to the group’s website:
- A different wine varietal (such as chardonnay, Merlot, pinot noir, etc.) is featured at each event. Teams, consisting of 1 to 3 participants, are admitted by bringing 3 bottles of the same featured varietal to the event. For example, if the featured varietal is Merlot, your team could bring 3 bottles of the 2005 Hess Select Merlot. The wine varietal for the upcoming event is Sauvignon Blanc.
- At the event, 2 of each team’s 3 bottles are bagged, tagged and ranked by each participant. The 3rd bottle is set aside and left unopened. The teams that brought the 5 highest ranked wines divvy up each team’s 3rd unopened bottle, except for the lowest ranked wine which will be returned to the team that brought it. If 2 or more teams bring the same wine, rankings can still differ depending upon the temperature of the wine, how long it has been open, etc.
- Please remember, teams can consist of 1 to 3 participants. Thus, a group of 4 participants, for example, will be considered 2 teams and must bring 6 bottles of the featured varietal to enter the event.
You should RSVP for Thursday’s event if you’d like to attend. The events can fill up, but by RSVPing online you can ensure your spot at a reduced cost. Tickets are $10 per person in advance (By noon on Thursday) or $15 at the door.
You have to be 21 to attend. (Typically, the much of the crowd is under 40, but everyone is welcome.)
Some of the other charities that have benefited include the American Red Cross, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the May Festival, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati, Contemporary Art Center, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and many, many more.
The Cincinnati Society is the original, but spin-off organizations have formed as well, including groups in Nashville and Denver.
Visit the organization’s website to find much more information.
Cheers!
Bacchanalian Society Spring Event
Thursday, May 7, 2009 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Location: Ault Park Pavilion
Wine Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Charity: Cincinnati Parks Foundation & Give Back Cincinnati
Suggested Donation: $10.00 per person in advance (by Noon 5/7) or $15.00 per person at door
RSVP Online.
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