Guests "Cheers On" Sharks at Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser

The
Sharks Foundation
raised more than $350,000 with the support of the entire
San Jose Sharks
roster, coaches, broadcasters, alumni and 400 guests at its signature fundraiser
Sampling with the Sharks
on Tuesday, March 5 at
SAP Center at San Jose
.
The annual wine tasting fundraiser included two hours of wine tasting and light bites, a unique live and silent auction, featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and autographed memorabilia, and the opportunity to take a photo with the iconic Shark Head, all from ice level for a true Team Teal experience.
Guests had the opportunity to purchase upgraded tickets that hosted a VIP Reception in the exclusive BMW Lounge for additional time with their favorite Sharks in a more intimate setting.

Twenty wineries from Napa Valley participated and offered their finest varietals along the bowl floor, including
Kosta Browne
,
Miner Family Winery
,
Pride Mountain
,
Schrambsberg Vineyards
,
Silver Oak Cellars
and
Vineyard 7 & 8
, as guests met and chatted with members of the Sharks.
HMQ Band
added to the fun with an upbeat vibe of rock, pop, funk, jazz, dance and instrumental music throughout the evening.

Those who attended also had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the Wine Fridge Raffle for a chance to win a wine fridge filled with high-end wines provided by vintners pouring at the event, including an etched All-Star Game wine bottle, signed by all three Sharks All-Stars,
Joe Pavelski
,
Erik Karlsson
and
Brent Burns
.
The evening included two live auctions, during the exclusive VIP Reception and on the bowl floor, which featured unique player experiences and raised $146,500 alone. One live auction package, "Wine and Dine with E-K-9," included an opportunity to visit
Testarossa
in Los Gatos with, followed by dinner at
Forbes Mill Steakhouse
alongside San Jose forward,
Evander Kane
.

The event's silent auction raised nearly $66,000 and included exclusive signed Sharks memorabilia and artwork, as well as a variety of experiences, such as a dinner and tequila tasting with Sharks General Manager
Doug Wilson
, and an opportunity to have dinner with Sharks TV Play-by-Play Broadcaster, Randy Hahn.
Sampling with the Sharks continues to be the largest fundraising event for the Sharks Foundation each season and will help improve the lives of underserved youth and families in the Bay Area. Partial proceeds in 2019 will benefit
The Britt George Foundation
with a focus on helping families impacted by the North Bay and Paradise fires, as well as flood victims in Sonoma.

The Sharks Foundation would like to thank
San Jose Arena Authority
& the
City of San Jose
, our Splash Sponsor:
SAP
, Sip Sponsors:
S&M Moving Systems
and
Enterprise
, Event Partners:
Joseph George Wines
,
Signs Now
,
Frost Cupcake Factory
and
Citti's Florists
.
To learn more about the Sharks Foundation's Sampling with the Sharks wine tasting fundraiser,
click here
.