BY JESSICA STEELEY
Clarkston News Staff Writer

Fine wine and an array of hors d’oeuvre were enjoyed by guests at the Clarkston Rotary Wine Tasting last Thursday night.
The event drew in many Clarkston residents, as well as people from all over the county. Wine samples were available from six different Michigan wineries: Laurentide, Hawthorne Vineyards, Blackstar Farms, 45 North Vineyard and Winery, Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery, and Chateau Chantal.
“It’s fabulous, the food is great, the company is wonderful and the wine is excellent,” Clarkston resident and City Clerk Sandy Miller said. “And it’s a good cause,” her friend Rita Heady added.
Guests were also able to buy wines they enjoyed during the tasting event, which included a silent auction and a raffle.
“I love these events. It’s great to see so many people come together to support the cause,” Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle said, who attended the event with his wife, Kim.
Attendees strolled around the winery tables, enjoyed catering by Fountains, mingled and beheld the view from the banquet hall’s balcony.
“It’s wonderful, it’s like being in Traverse City, the wines are great,” Clarkston resident George White said.
Rotary President David Boersma said this wine tasting, along with their fall wine tasting, helps to raise money for their service projects.
“These two wine tastings, it’s our sole source of income to fund all the things we do in the Clarkston area,” Boersma said.
The funds raised go towards a donation to The Friends of the North Oakland County Veterans Treatment Court, youth programs, monthly service projects, a little bit of everything, Boersma said.
The Rotary has been doing wine tastings for almost 20 years, one focused on Michigan wines and the other on international wines.
“We contact them and they bring the wine here and they send a representative from the winery,” Boersma said. “I believe there’s about 20 different wines to taste here tonight, it’s a pretty good event.”
Tickets for the Rotary’s fall wine tasting will be available soon, Boersma encourages anyone interested to check out their website.