Wild Wine Safari to Benefit Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

8/25/2008

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.—August 25, 2008—Animal lovers and wine connoisseurs from near and far will gather under the stars for the annual "Wild Wine Safari" benefitting Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, Conn. on Friday, September 5, 2008 from 6:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Honorary Co-Chairmen Congressman Christopher Shays and Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch will help celebrate Wild Wine Safari, which is guaranteed to please the palate and tempt the taste buds of all who attend.

The Wine Emporium, of Shelton, Conn., returns this year to coordinate the evening's featured wine selections. A sample of wines to be poured include: D'Arenberg Dead Arm, Hess Alomi Cabernet, Sterling Single Vineyard Reserve, BR Cohn Olive Grove Cabernet, Murrietta's Well Meritage, Wente Nth Degree Chardonnay, Wina Izadi Seleccion Crianzza, Venta de Don Quiote Sauvignon Blanc/Macabeo.

These unique wine selections will complement an equally delicious menu of culinary delights from The Cantering Caterer of Westport, Conn. The wildly mouth-watering menu includes: Coconut Curry Bahamian Fish Stew, Pomme Frites and Plantain Fritters, Tempura Twinkies, Black Truffle Mac and Cheese, Shaved New York Cheddar Crab Cake Tacos, Roasted Skirt Steak on mini foccacia rolls, and a decadent Chocolate River with assorted tropical fruits and desserts.

Topping the evening off will be the silent auction, offering a wide range of items for budgets of all sizes. Guests and supporters unable to attend the event may preview items online and place pre-bids through September 3, 2008 by visiting http://www.ctbeardsleyzoo.cmarket.com Items include: a two (2) night stay for two (2) at a top notch resort in Stowe, Vermont; a week at a beach house for 10 in Cape Cod; two (2) round trip tickets on Southwest Airlines; a weekend at a Vermont log cabin; one week at a fabulous Nantucket cottage; dinner at New York City's famed Algonquin Hotel and Broadway tickets; zookeeper for a day at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo; and tickets to the Reba McIntire and Kelly Clarkson at the Arena at Harbor Yard, plus much more!

Tickets for Beardsley Zoo's "Wild Wine Safari" are $85.00 per person and may be purchased online at www.beardsleyzoo.org or by calling (203) 394-6569.

Wild Wine Safari Committee Members include (by town): Bridgeport: Bob Ganim; Fairfield: Amy Flynn; Trumbull: Ann Mizak, Bernadette Baldino, and Lisa Van Curen; Easton: Sharon Stemme; Milford: Karen Olenski; Stratford: Sarah Wheeler; North Haven: Gloria Loeb; and Sandy Hook: Jane Sharpe.

Wild Wine Safari At a Glance

WHEN: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2008 from 6:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

WHERE: Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, CT.

TICKETS: $85.00 per person. Tickets may be purchase online at www.beardsleyzoo.org or by phone at (203) 394-6569. Online silent auction bids also may be placed online.

About Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo:
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Visitors won't want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tiger, Andean condor, Ocelot, Red wolf, Andean (spectacled) bear, Maned wolf, and Golden lion tamarin. Other highlights include our South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer and more. Visitors can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful carousel. For more information, visit http://www.beardsleyzoo.org.