WILMINGTON, DE--JANUARY 26, 2009--The leader of the modern wine industry in America, the late Robert Mondavi, once said,"Even more importantly, it's wine, food and the arts.  Incorporating those three enhances the quality of life."  On Friday, February 6, 2009, these three will be brought together once again as Delaware Theatre Company hosts its 20th Annual Wine Feast & Auction at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington.  The evening, presented by UBS Financial Services, includes wine tasting, fine cuisine, and live and silent auctions from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Tickets are $150 for Patrons (includes program recognition and complimentary raffle ticket), $90 for General Admission, and $65 for Young Friends (21 to 35 years old).  All proceeds benefit Delaware Theatre Company and its mission to serve the Delaware Valley with world-class theatrical productions and creative arts education programs.  For event information and tickets, visit www.delawaretheatre.orgor call 302.594.1104 ext. 229. 
 
Delaware Theatre Company not only celebrates its 20th year hosting this premier auction of fine wine, but it also currently celebrates its 30th season.  This monumental anniversary will be commemorated at the Wine Feast & Auction by Liz Marden Gourmet Cakes and Desserts with Liz Marden and her staff creating thirty, 8-inch cakes, each representing one year of the theatre's history.  These cakes will be displayed as a timeline at the event, along with a novelty cake depicting the theater itself that will be crafted and decorated during the event.
 
Wine merchants offering tastings at the Wine Feast & Auction include Amphora Winery, Branmar Wine & Spirits, Camellia Cellars, Chaddsford Winery, Deerfield Wines, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Kreston Wine & Spirits, Moore Brothers Wine Company, and The Wine & Spirit Company of Greenville.  Participating restaurants include Big Fish Grill & Market, Caffé Gelato, Deep Blue Bar and Grill, Eclipse Bistro, Harry's Savoy Grill, Harry's Seafood Grill, Liz Marden Cakes and Desserts, The Melting Pot, Montrachet Fine Food, Moveable Feast, ShopRite Catering, Toscana Kitchen + Bar, and Walter's Steakhouse.  
 
In addition to the over 300 vintages to be auctioned at the event, the live and silent auctions will include such packages as Vice-President Joe Biden's cufflinks, a football autographed by Baltimore Raven's quarterback (and University of Delaware grad) Joe Flacco, a private wine tasting for 25 people hosted by Total Wine & More, four First-Class tickets aboard Amtrak, and an exclusive reservation for four at Talula's Table, which Condé Nast's Portfolio.com dubs the "the hardest to get reservation in the country." Artwork by local artists will also be available, including an original painting by Delaware Theatre Company's co-founder Cleveland Morris. The theatre will also have a variety of theatrical experiences up for bidding, including a walk-on role in the company's April 2009 production of the uproarious comedy All the Great Books (abridged).
 
Delaware Theatre Company welcomes UBS Financial Services as Presenting Sponsor of the 20th Annual Wine Feast & Auction.  Additional event sponsors include Bank of America, Delaware Law Weekly, Meetings by Design, Metrocolor, The Northern Trust Company of Delaware, The News Journal, AAA Mid-Atlantic, Barclays, Philadelphia magazine, ALICO, Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, Comcast Communications, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, Delaware Today, Gordon Fournaris & Mammarella, P.A., Out and About magazine, PNC Bank, Wilmington Trust, and Winner Automotive Group.

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the DTC Box Office at 302.594.1100 or visit www.delawaretheatre.org.