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Italian Trade Commission Sponsors 2009 Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival

September 10 - 12

Category: Press Releases  |  Posted: August 31, 2009

Italian Trade Commission Sponsors 2009 Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival

The Italian Trade Commission will be the presenting sponsor of the  2009 Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival, September 10 - 12. The Festival, a partnership between Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Saratoga Automobile Museum, will offer three days of fine wine and food events and several Ferrari events including an Auto Show featuring some of the world's rarest and most valuable collector Ferraris and appearances by North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T.) legends Sam Posey, Denise McCluggage and Luigi Chinetti, Jr.

Proceeds raised by the Festival will jointly benefit classical programming at SPAC and the educational programs of the Saratoga Automobile Museum. 

As the event sponsor, the ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION will present an exclusive Italian pavilion at the Grand Tasting & Ferrari Auto Show showcasing an exceptional variety of fine Italian wines, cheeses and other authentic specialties. In addition, the Italian Trade Commission will host a wine seminar conducted by KEVIN ZRALY, noted wine expert and author of the best-selling Windows on the World Complete Wine Course book. Authentic Italian products will be center stage at a seminar led by LOU DI PALO, owner of the legendary Di Palo's Fine Foods in New York City.

"We are thrilled to welcome the Italian Trade Commission as the sponsor of this year's Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival. Their participation underscores the world-class quality of our event as well as Italy's prominence in the global wine industry. We are grateful for their extraordinary commitment and the rich, new opportunities it will bring to the Festival," said Marcia J. White, President & Executive Director of Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

Last year, Italy achieved a major milestone, surpassing France as the world's dominant wine producer and largest wine exporter to the U.S. 

Aniello Musella, Trade Commissioner and Executive Director for the USA commented: "The Italian Trade Commission is very pleased to be the presenting sponsor of this prestigious event and above all to have this opportunity to share with those visiting the Festival, the unparalleled quality, variety, innovation, diversity and style that has become synonymous with Italian food and wine in the United States. Italian wine is the number one imported wine in the U.S., enjoying a 30% market share and growing despite the economic downturn. Americans are among the most discerning consumers in the world. Their interest and love of Italian wine and authentic speciality products is a testament to MADE IN ITALY excellence and we could not be more pleased." 

This year's Festival represents a major expansion of the Saratoga Wine & Food Festival fundraiser that SPAC has presented for the past eight years. In that time, attendance and income for the Festival more than doubled. The addition this year of the Ferrari Auto Show organized by event partner, the SARATOGA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM, is expected to launch the Festival into the national spotlight.

The Museum, located adjacent to SPAC in the 2,400 acre Saratoga Spa State Park, presents a variety of exhibits, educational programming and automobile shows that celebrate the automobile and its impact on society.

The Ferrari events at the Grand Tasting will include a FERRARI AUTO SHOW of valuable, collector Ferraris on SPAC's lawn including the Ferrari 512M driven by Sam Posey and Tony Adamowitz to a 3rd place finish in the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans and now owned by Larry Auriana of Greenwich, Connecticut.

A panel discussion led by honored guests SAM POSEY, DENISE MCCLUGGAGE, LUIGI CHINETTI, JR. and other North American Racing Team veterans will offer first-hand insights into the history of Ferrari racing as well as the Ferrari and the tradition of Italian innovation, craftsmanship and style.

There will also be an exhibit of new Ferrari models including the Ferrari California.

"Ferrari is the most exciting automobile name in the world," said Dick Fritz, retired team manager for N.A.R.T. and Co-Chairman of the event. "Nothing draws a crowd like a red Ferrari. And virtually every top driver in the world has raced - or wanted to race - for Ferrari in the past 60 years. Saratoga Springs will very quickly become the place to be for every Ferrari collector in America for the second weekend in September."

Among other significant automobiles on exhibit will be Ferraris that have won Best of Show or major awards at shows including Pebble Beach, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in the US, the Villa D'Este Concours d'Elegance in Italy and the Ferrari Club of America National Meet.

Among the special opportunities of the Festival is a raffle for a weeklong stay for four at Palazzo Santi Terzi, a 16th Century villa in Umbria, Italy that was formerly the home of neoclassical sculptor Canova. The luxurious Palazzo features beautiful stonework throughout, three superbly appointed kitchens, summer and winter dining rooms, seven bedrooms, a private garden and pool. Located in the town of San Gemini, which is less than one hour from Rome and two hours from Florence, the home is suitable for up to 14 people. Only 350 tickets, at $100 each, will be sold for the package which includes round-trip airfare from NYC for four people.  

"For true connoisseurs - of wines, food and cars - the Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival will be a weekend of delights and experiences they will never forget," White concluded. 

Tickets are on sale now for the following events:

Thursday, September 10, 6:30 PM:  Fine Wine Dinners hosted by select regional restaurants and a partner winery. Most menus will feature innovative Italian wine and food pairings with explanations by an on-site wine expert. Participating restaurants include Angelo's 677 Prime, Beekman Street Bistro, Chianti II Ristorante, Maestro's, The Mouzon House, Prime at Saratoga National. TICKETS: $100 (inclusive)

Friday, September 11, 10:30 AM: Adirondack Road Tour for Ferrari and Maserati drivers. A spirited 1 ½ hour drive through the Adirondacks will include lunch at the historic Lake George Club and Comitti Italian Mahogany Motorboat rides. TICKETS: $45

Friday, September 11, 7:00 PM: Serata Italiana
Embark on your own personal adventure in taste at the Serata Italiana. Attendees will explore the Wines and Foods of Italy including a special preview of over 100 of Italy's best vintages. The Italian Trade Commission will be honored for its cultivation and promotion of MADE IN ITALY excellence in the US along with Mr. Lawrence Auriana, a dedicated philanthropist who has provided leadership and support to numerous Italian charitable and cultural organizations. TICKETS: $125

Saturday, September 12 Grand Tasting & Ferrari Auto Show on SPAC's grounds will feature:           

  • An exclusive Italian pavilion hosted by the Italian Trade Commission showcasing a variety of Italian wines; cheeses and other exclusive products as well as fascinating seminars hosted by wine expert Kevin Zraly and Lou Di Palo, owner of the legendary Di Palo's Fine Foods in New York City;
  • vintages from more than 200 international wineries and innovative cuisine from the region's top restaurants;
  • A display of new Ferrari models including the Ferrari California;
  • a Ferrari racing panel discussion with honored guests Sam Posey, Denise McCluggage and Luigi Chinetti, Jr. as well as other North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T.) veterans;
  • extensive silent and live auctions of luxury items, including exotic travel packages, jewelry, original artwork and more.  

Tickets for the Grand Tasting & Ferrari Auto Show are $80 and include access to all exhibits, seminars and silent and live auctions.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact SPAC at 518-584-9330 or www.spac.org.

To learn more about the Italian Trade Commission and the Wines and Foods of Italy visit www.italianmade.com

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