COC Fine Wine Auction

THE COC'S ANNUAL FINE WINE AUCTION TURNS 10!

Toronto, Ontario ’Äì Canadian Opera Company's successful Annual Fine Wine Auction celebrates its 10th anniversary this year bringing wine lovers together as they raise their glasses and bidding paddles on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the newly-renovated Crush Wine Bar and Restaurant. Returning to lead the live auction is Auctioneer Stephen Ranger of Ritchie's Auctioneers and Appraisers. The evening's events include a live auction, where wine enthusiasts and ardent collectors can either add to or begin a collection of some truly notable treasures. Guests can also bid in a silent auction that offers an assortment of exclusive and exciting items including a trip for two to Quebec City, Niagara winery tours, and dinner packages for some of Toronto's top restaurants. Wine and

hors d'oeuvres are served at 6 p.m. with the live auction beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased online at www.coc.ca or by calling 416-363-8231.

This year's Fine Wine Auction offers bidders a chance to purchase from a wide variety of incredible wines from around the world including a 1989 Chˆ¢teau Lˆ©oville-Las Cases, 1989 Chˆ¢teau Mouton Rothschild, 1995 Chˆ¢teau Lafite Rothschild, 2001, 2002, 2003 Harlan The Maiden, and 1996 Domaine de la Romanˆ©e-Conti Echezeaux.

Last year, the COC's Fine Wine Auction raised over $86,000, and all proceeds are in support of the COC. For more information please contact Sarah Jarvis at 416-306-2305.

COC's 10th ANNUAL

FINE WINE AUCTION

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Crush Wine Bar

455 King St. W.

Reception at 6 p.m.

Auction at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $50

www.coc.ca ’àô Call 416-363-8231

Presented in part by Crush Wine Bar and Restaurant, the Austrian Trade Commission, The Cheese Boutique, as well as CTV and The Globe and Mail.

About the Canadian Opera Company

Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America, and has an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation. The COC currently enjoys a remarkable 99% attendance rate for its mainstage season. The company's new home, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, was designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. and is Canada's first purpose-built opera house. The contemporary expression of a traditional five-tiered, European horseshoe-shaped auditorium was specifically designed for opera with the highest level of acoustics and provides unparalleled intimacy between the audience and the stage. Acclaimed as one of the best opera houses in the world, the Four Seasons Centre is also the performance venue for The National Ballet of Canada.

Canadian Opera Company Website

The Canadian Opera Company's new website, at www.coc.ca, contains information on all productions including synopses, historical background and production photographs.

PSO Annual Wine Challenge & Auction, March 30

Portland Symphony Orchestra's Annual Wine Dinner Benefit Features Australian Wines and an Unusual Challenge for Chefs, March 30

FREEPORT, Maine ’Äì The Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO)'s eagerly awaited annual Wine Challenge and Auction turns the traditional standard of pairing wines with a particular menu on its head ’Äì instead of matching wines to the food, chefs prepare each course to complement the wine selections. Held March 30 at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport beginning at 5:00 p.m., this year's benefit will feature Australian wines, world-class Maine chefs and live and silent auctions.

Presented by Acadia Trust, N.A. the Australian Wine Challenge features Peter Lehmann Wines from the Hess Fine Wine Estates. The festive evening begins with wine and hors d'oeuvres during the silent auction at 5:00 p.m. Following the silent auction, guests will begin a carefully-crafted multi-course meal representing Maine finest culinary talents including:

• Jonathan Cartwright: Executive Chef, White Barn Inn, Kennebunkport
• Steve Corry: Proprietor & Executive Chef, Five Fifty-Five, Portland
• Mitchell Kaldrovich: Executive Chef, Inn By the Sea, Cape Elizabeth
• Gallit Sammon: Chef de Cuisine, Harraseeket Inn, Freeport
• Melody Wolfertz: Proprietor & Executive Chef, In Good Company, Rockland

Dinner is followed by the live auction and dessert beginning at 8:30 p.m. The live and silent auctions feature diverse and unusual items donated by Maine artists and businesses in support of the PSO. Items include exciting getaways, event tickets, fine dining, unique gifts, accommodations, services, jewelry and more. A highlight of the live auction offerings is a tour of Australian wine country.

All proceeds from the Australian Wine Challenge & Auction benefit the Portland Symphony Orchestra and its education and community outreach programs.

The Wine Challenge sells out quickly, but reservations can be made now by calling (207) 773-6128 x309 or emailing events@portlandsymphony.com. Tickets to the dinner are $150 each. Tables of ten guests may be hosted for $1,500.

For more information about the Portland Symphony Orchestra, its events and activities, visit www.portlandsymphony.com.

Wine tasting fundraiser with the ESO and Canada's most in-demand wine region - Jan. 30

A Harmonious Blend of Food, Wine and Music with The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra!

Flavours of BC’Äôs Naramata Bench Wine Fundraiser

January 30, 2009 - Tickets still available!

Edmonton, AB ’Ķ The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is pleased to invite you to their inaugural wine-tasting fundraiser - Flavours of BC’Äôs Naramata Bench. On January 30, 2009, the ESO is hosting a celebration of fine wines featuring the best of Canada’Äôs most in-demand wine region, BC’Äôs Naramata Bench.

Representatives from 10 different wineries will be on hand to showcase their award-winning wines. Guests will be treated to an evening of fine food, wine, music, and live and silent auctions. All proceeds from the event support our Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Registration begins at 6:30pm on January 30^th. The Wine Tasting/Auction runs from 7:00-10:00pm.

Limited tickets still available! Events tickets can be purchased through the Winspear Centre Box Office for $130 (agency fees apply). A tax deductible receipt will be issued for a portion of the ticket cost.

This ESO special event is made possible by the sponsorships of Naramata Bench, California Closets, Magic 99, Winspear Centre, Vines-Riverbend, The Edmonton Journal, Parcom Marketing, Corporate Copy, Avenue Magazine and The Artworks.

For more information, please contact: Pamela Pecush, ESO Publicist:

Phone: (780) 401-2532 or Pamela.Pecush@winspearcentre.com

For ticket purchases, please contact the Winspear Centre Box Office:

Phone: (780) 428-1414 or 1-800-563-5081

#4 Winston Churchill Square.

www.edmontonsymphony.com

About Naramata Bench

One of the most scenic wine regions in all of North America, the Naramata Bench is made up of twenty-two boutique wineries. Situated on the east side of the Okanagan Valley, one of Canada’Äôs premier grape growing regions, some wineries stake claim to picturesque hillsides and others are perched at the edge of cliffs overlooking Okanagan Lake.

As with beauty comes quality, this premiere boutique wine region continues its award winning tradition by taking over 40 awards at the 2008 All Canadian Wine Championship!

Featured wineries will include: D’ÄôAngelo Estate Winery, Elephant Island, Hillside Estate Winery, Kettle Valley Winery, La Frenz Winery, Lake Breeze Vineyards, Nichol Vineyard & Estate Winery, Poplar Gove Winery, Red Rooster Winery and Township 7.

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is proud to partner with the Naramata Bench for our most important fundraiser of the season. All guests will also receive a complimentary Riedel wine glass as a keepsake of this special evening and select members of the ESO will entertain with live music.

For more information on Naramata Bench wine country, a must visit destination for wine connoisseurs, visit www.naramatabench.com.