AIDS United

Join us for an evening of celebration as we virtually commemorate AIDS United’s ten years of work to end the HIV epidemic. As part of the evening’s festivities, we will be honoring 10 distinguished leaders who have labored to end the epidemic. As a special treat, we will have a wine and cheese tasting, with optional advance ordering available to attendees so everyone can share in this special moment from the comfort of home. Help us commemorate 10 years of ending the HIV epidemic by joining us for this virtual celebration.

Connect. Your wine purchase automatically enters you into A TOAST TO TEN YEARS on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 EST. You will get notifications and the event link via email with information on how to log into the virtual tasting. There is also an option to buy a ticket to the event without a wine or cheese purchase. Products are discounted for our event, and proceeds from the wine and cheese go directly to AIDS United — the more you order, the more we make!

The Event Honorees.

Robert “Bobby” Hilliard Jr., M.D., Chair, AIDS United Board of Trustees; Chief Executive Officer, Legacy Community Health

Katy Caldwell, Treasurer, AIDS United Board of Trustees; Executive Advisor, Legacy Community Health
John Barnes, Executive Director, Funders Concerned About AIDS
Douglas Brooks, Vice President Advancing Black Equity & Community Engagement at Gilead Sciences; Former White House Director of Office of National AIDS Policy (President Obama); Former Chair, AIDS United Board of Trustees
Guillermo Chacon, President, Latino Commission on AIDS
Janet Cleveland, Deputy Division Director - Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Venita Ray, Co-Executive Director, Positive Women’s Network – USA
Tori Cooper, Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative, Human Rights Campaign; First Black/Transgender Appointee, Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS
Antigone Dempsey, M.Ed., Director, Division of Policy & Data, HIV/AIDS Bureau, HRSA

Event. During the virtual tasting, Ferdinando Mucerino will guide us through four unique wines and pair them with delicious cheeses from Point Reyes Farmstead (both can be delivered ahead of time to your door). We will improve our tasting skills while listening to musical guests, watching mission videos, and award presentations to our honorees along the way. To sip along with Ferdy and Jill as they pair four incredible wines, click here first to order the Wine Tasting Pack (after you purchase wine, come back and click ORDER CHEESE).

What Is Wine Insiders?

Wine Insiders, our partner, brings wines directly from winemakers around the world and delivers them conveniently to your door at a tremendous value compared to wines you would find at the store. With 38 years of heritage, 1,400+ wine awards, and two million customers across the country, is the nation’s leading online wine marketplace and #1 rated wine site, with over 4,000 5-star reviews on Google.

AIDS United

AIDS United’s mission is to end the HIV epidemic in the United States.  In the ongoing work for social justice and true equity, ending the HIV epidemic in the United States is our chosen role. We’ve seen firsthand how the intersectionality of social injustice, discrimination and health care disparity impacts those living with HIV, and we believe alleviating this struggle is a pivotal step toward our national well-being.

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company is our way of carrying on our family heritage, honoring the land we love so much, celebrating our passion for farm-fresh food, and sharing it with the people we consider our extended family.

What Is Wine Insiders?

AIDS United

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.

Our Tasting Panel + Special Guests

Taste with the experts and ask questions at your virtual live tasting.

Daniel Franzese

Daniel Franzese is an actor and singer. Franzese recently starred as Eddie, a person living with HIV, on HBO's "Looking." His performance has been praised for leading the way to erase stigmas of HIV through a performance of a counselor in a homeless shelter for gay and trans teens. Franzese also captured much attention as Damien in Tina Fey's cult classic, "Mean Girls."

Ferdinando Mucerino

Ferdinando (Ferdy) is a Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier and was named 2019’s Best Wine Director by Wine Enthusiast. He is a wine program consultant for various restaurants.

Jill Giacomini Basch

Jill Giacomini Basch is Co-CEO/CMO at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, located just north of San Francisco. Known for producing some of the best-handcrafted artisan cheese in the US, the 100% Women-Owned business includes a 700-acre dairy farm, two creamery facilities, and a renowned culinary and educational center.

Kimberley Lock

Kimberley Locke is a singer-songwriter who was second runner up on American Idol Season 2, and now a host of the talk show Dr. & The Diva! More than an amazingly talented singer, songwriter, record producer, Locke is also a successful businesswoman, restaurateur, philanthropist, life coach, and food, nutrition and fitness expert. From work to dating to struggles with weight, her life is an open book and THAT’S why America loves her!

Meet Our Wines

These four wines have been hand-selected out of 100 bottles from the premier wineries around the globe for this virtual tasting.

Toro Loco Cava Brut

Spain

The Toro Loco Cava Brut packs deliciously complex flavors. Brimming with aromas and flavors of fresh fruits, white flowers, dried fruits, and patisserie (plus refreshing, take-another-sip acidity), Toro Loco will definitely wow a crowd.

2018 Radford Dale Vinum Chenin Blanc

South Africa

South Africa’s most-planted white grape, the 2018 Radford Dale Vinum Chenin Blanc. This wine was crafted by an award-winning winery committed to ethics and environmental sustainability. Vibrant peach and apple aromas are accented with a touch of cinnamon, hinting at the wine’s sophisticated elegance.

2019 Calvari Organic Chianti D.O.C.G.

Tuscany

Calvari is a bright, fruity red from Italy’s Tuscan flagship region, Chianti. Made from organically grown grapes (hand-selected for only the best quality), it’s quintessential Sangiovese: pleasantly medium-bodied with distinct notes of red cherry and earthy spice.

2018 Baron de Lestac Bordeaux Rouge

Bordeaux

2018 Baron de Lestac Bordeaux Rouge is a classic Bordeaux red and a beautiful representation of the iconic blend that has inspired winemakers worldwide. Dark garnet in color, this medium to full-bodied wine expresses candied fruit, vanilla, and bell pepper on the nose.

Toro Loco Cava Brut

Spain

2018 Radford Dale Vinum Chenin Blanc

South Africa

2019 Calvari Organic Chianti D.O.C.G.

Tuscany

2018 Baron de Lestac Bordeaux Rouge

Bordeaux

Order Your Wines

When you purchase one of the wine packages below, you’ll automatically be registered for this event and will be sent the link to join at 7:30PM EST on 12/1. Please note that we do not ship to Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Mississippi, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Utah.

Tasting Lineup

4-Pack - $15 per bottle

$60 + $14.95 Shipping

Get 1 of each bottle that Ferdy and Jill will be tasting delivered straight to your door!

Better Deal

8-Pack - $14 per bottle

$112 + Free Shipping

Get 2 of each bottle that will be tasted so you can save 1 of each for enjoyment after the tasting!

Best Deal

12-Pack - $13 per bottle

$156 + Free Shipping

Get 2 of each bottle that will be tasted, PLUS 4 additional wines hand-selected by Ferdy!

Event Agenda

Taste wine with the world’s top sommeliers while asking questions along the way.

7:30 - 7:40 PM ET

Welcome + Introduction

Settle in with the 2018 Radford Dale Chenin Blanc wine and place your cheeses on a board while we introduce you to our evenings MC, musical guests and our expert tasting guests.

7:40 - 7:50 PM ET

Awards

Let’s get to the party. We'll start with music from our first guest musician and move right into presenting our first awards!

7:50 - 8:00 PM ET

Red Wine Tasting + Mission Videos

Now on to the tasting. Ferdy and Jill will walk us through the Point Reyes cheeses that pair best with the 2018 South African Chenin Blanc that you already have open and then you will taste the 2019 Calvari Chianti from Italy with the Bay Blue. While you savor that sensational match made in heaven, we hope you will enjoy our Capacity Building video.

8:00 - 8:15 PM ET

Red Wine + Cheese Pairing + Awards

Moving onto our final red of the night from Bordeaux France, the Baron De Lestac. We will taste and pair it with the Original Blue. We will honor more amazing honorees and get another song to savor along.

8:15 - 8:45 PM ET

Mission Videos + More Awards

Lots more honoring to do to keep the good energy going!

8:45 - 9:00 PM ET

Toast to AIDS United + Musical Guest

On to the final tasting of the night, the Toro Loco Spanish Cava and the Point Reyes Toma. Let’s raise a glass and toast to AIDS United together as we listen to our final song of the evening. Thanks for joining us!

FAQ

Questions?

If you have any questions about the event or the wines, please contact us via email at communcations@aidsunited.org.

What is the deadline to order or to register?

You must order by 11/24 to ensure you receive your wine in time for the tasting. If you’re not tasting along, you can register up until an hour before the event.

How do I share this with friends and family?

You can share with your friends and family via Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or email. Simply click the icon above of how you'd like to share the event and follow the prompts!

What states do you ship to?

We ship to all states except: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Mississippi, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Utah.

Where does the cost of my purchase go?

Proceeds go directly to AIDS United.
4 pack proceeds = $22 / 8 pack proceeds = $32.00 / 12 pack proceeds = $48.00

How is the wine so affordable?

Wine Insiders buys directly from wineries around the world, bypassing the distributors and middlemen, to bring delicious-tasting wine direct to your door at an affordable price!

How do I attend if I don't order wine?

You can make a donation! For any donation $10 or more, you will automatically be registered for the virtual tasting.

Do I need a Zoom account to participate?

Absolutely not! You can join from any device with an internet connection to participate in the virtual tasting!

What if I can’t make the event time?

Don’t worry, following the event we will sending out an e-mail to everybody who was registered for the event with a link to view a recording of the live tasting via Youtube so that you can taste along with the sommeliers at your convenience.

Who is this event intended for?

Everyone! Whether you're an avid wine lover, simply new to wine, or just looking for a fun virtual event, this is a great opportunity to connect virtually with thousands of people. However, you need to be 21+ for tasting!

What happens after I purchase the wine?

After you purchase your 4, 8, or 12 pack you'll receive:

An order confirmation
A Virtual Tasting event confirmation within 24 hours with details of the event (including your link providing access to the event that begins at 7:30 pm ET)
Your wine within 1-3 business days
An event reminder 2 days before the event

How do I access the tasting?

You should have received a registration e-mail from Wine Insiders with a link to the event
Please click on the link to register.
Once registered for the event, you can add the event to your calendar or click the link you will receive via email from Zoom.

PLEASE NOTE – You have to use the e-mail associated with your wine order. If you received this as a gift then the person who gave you the gift should have given us your e-mail address and you should have received a registration e-mail. If you did not receive a registration e-mail then please contact us immediately (communcations@aidsunited.org) so that we can register you.

Our Tasting Panel + Special Guests

Meet Our Wines

Order Your Wines

Donation Only

Feelin' Cheesy?

Event Agenda

7:30 - 7:40 PM ET

7:40 - 7:50 PM ET

7:50 - 8:00 PM ET

8:00 - 8:15 PM ET

8:15 - 8:45 PM ET

8:45 - 9:00 PM ET

FAQ

Our Tasting Panel + Special Guests

Meet Our Wines

Order Your Wines

Donation Only

Feelin' Cheesy?

Share

Event Agenda

7:30 - 7:40 PM ET

7:40 - 7:50 PM ET

7:50 - 8:00 PM ET

8:00 - 8:15 PM ET

8:15 - 8:45 PM ET

8:45 - 9:00 PM ET

FAQ