Drink Wine. Eat Chocolate. End Violence in North Lake Tahoe. Started in 1988, the annual Tahoe Chocolate & Wine Festival is hosted by local nonprofit Tahoe SAFE Alliance (formerly Tahoe Women’s Services), featuring fine wines and chocolates in an effort to promote a violence-free culture in Tahoe/Truckee and help survivors of abuse.
After celebrating the festival’s 25th anniversary last year, Tahoe SAFE Alliance has made a few changes, including the addition of a wine walk and a seated chocolate tasting. Ten selected boutique wineries from acclaimed California regions — including Napa, Amador, and Paso Robles — will feature tasting showrooms throughout the wine walk, and six of Lake Tahoe’s finest culinary artists — from The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Hyatt Regency, and Mr. Z’s Homemade Candies — will serve gourmet chocolate creations directly at guests’ tables.
“At past festivals, local chefs have continued to raise the ‘chocolate bar,’ so we are putting more emphasis on the creative talents of our chocolatiers,” said Dawn Harris, event chair and development manager at Tahoe SAFE Alliance. “Having a seated tasting will provide our guests with an entertaining and unique experience.”
Channel 2 evening news anchor Wendy Damonte will emcee the event and also host the chocolate tasting.
To further sweeten the evening, every ticket holder will be entered into a free drawing for a four-night stay at Playa Viva, an eco-resort off the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Attendees can participate in additional raffle drawings to win trips, dinners, and local recreation packages for skiing and golf.
Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto will be a guest speaker, plus she will be recognized for “her efforts to strengthen state laws to prevent violence against women and to protect children from sexual predators,” Harris said.
By throwing a cocktail event that’s plumped up with wine and chocolate, event organizers strive to highlight Tahoe SAFE Alliance’s success in providing countless free services to people in need throughout the Tahoe/Truckee area, including the Mt. Rose Safe House, a community helpline, victim support services, legal advocacy, a comprehensive children’s program, and violence prevention education programs. Last year, Tahoe SAFE Alliance served 787 community members and provided prevention education to a record 5,439 youth, businesses, and adults.
This festival also offers local restaurants and chefs an opportunity to show support for survivors in the community. This year, Aaron Zendner of Mr. Z’s Homemade Candies will celebrate 10 years as a chocolatier. “It feels great to get our whole family involved in the fundraising experience and we love to help and support people in our community,” he said.
