BUFFALO SABRES ALUMNI WINE FESTIVAL RETURNS

BUFFALO, N.Y. (January 18, 2016) -- The Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association is hosting the 12th annual Sabres Alumni Wine Festival on Thursday, March 10 at First Niagara Center from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The event, co-sponsored by First Niagara, North American Breweries, BlueCross BlueShield of WNY, Fallsview Casino Resort, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and JW Danforth, will feature wineries and restaurants from Buffalo, Niagara on the Lake and beyond.

Attendees will have a chance to sample some of the finest wines and food that Western New York and Southern Ontario have to offer while socializing with Sabres legends and their wives. The festival will include music, auctions and raffles with unique items from the Buffalo Sabres and Sabres Alumni.

Tickets are $75 each and are available at Sabres.com/winefest, the First Niagara Center Box Office, or by calling Nick Fearby at 716-855-4452. All proceeds from the event will benefit breast cancer care in Western New York.

All attendees are asked to dress in business attire for the evening. There will be complimentary parking in the ramp adjacent to First Niagara Center and guests can use the 100 level bridge entrance to enter the event.

Restaurants and wineries that are interested in participating can find more information or sign up by visiting Sabres.com/winefestvendors.

Sponsorship packages are also available for the event. Anyone interested in the sponsorship packages, which or outlined below, can contact Teresa Belbas at 716-855-4588 for more information.

Champagne Sponsor - $10,000

Includes: 20 tickets to the Wine Festival, a sponsor gift from the Sabres Alumni Association, presenting sponsor recognition during the event and on Sabres.com and 20 invitations to the VIP Cocktail reception in the Lexus Club prior to the event.

Chardonnay Sponsor - $5,000

Includes: 14 tickets to the Wine Festival, a sponsor gift from the Sabres Alumni Association, sponsorship recognition during the event and on Sabres.com and 14 invitations to the VIP Cocktail reception in the Lexus Club prior to the event.

Merlot Sponsor - $2,500

Includes: 10 tickets to the Wine Festival, a sponsor gift from the Sabres Alumni Association, sponsorship recognition during the event and on Sabres.com and 10 invitations to the VIP Cocktail reception in the Lexus Club prior to the event.

Riesling Sponsor - $1,000

Includes: 6 tickets to the Wine Festival, a sponsor gift from the Sabres Alumni Association, sponsorship recognition during the event and on Sabres.com and 6 invitations to the VIP Cocktail reception in the Lexus Club prior to the event.

Pinot Noir Sponsor - $500

Includes: 4 tickets to the Wine Festival and sponsorship recognition during the event.