NORTHERN LIGHTS Fruit of the vine draws help for kids in Kenya

FAYETTEVILLE — Wines from around the world were swirled, sniffed and sipped Oct.

15 at the third annual Winetopia, held at Pratt Place Barn.

Guests carried wine glasses etched with the Restore Humanity logo from table to table to receive samples from vineyards in Australia, Chile, Argentina, France and more. The largest crowd hovered around the table holding Italian wines. Vodka from Arkansas’ Brandon’s Rock Town Distillery was also available for sampling.

These sons and daughters of Dionysus together raised $15,000 for Restore Humanity, an organization that this year opened its long-awaited orphanage in Kenya.

Glazer’s Distributors donated the wine for the sampling and the “wine toss” - a game much like ring toss where participants could win the bottle of wine they rung. They paid $20 for five chances.

The wines paired well with hors d’oeuvres from Bordino’s, Cafe Rue Orleans and The Event Group. Arsaga’s provided coffee and Amanda Grimes, a friend of Sarah Fennel’s, offered desserts.

A few of the silent auction items included Rock Climbing Arkansas by Cole Fennel packaged with a guided rock climbing expedition with the author, a bottle of hard-to-find Cakebread Cellars cabernet and a trip to Gulf Shores, Ala.

The orphanage houses 10 children now but Sarah Fennel says they hope to bring in another 10 within a year.