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Downtown Austin
Friday, November 6, 2026
12:00 - 3:00 PM
The kick-off to our 40th annual Auction weekend! This exclusive, elegant luncheon takes place the day before the Auction & Gala and includes a multi-course lunch paired with wines provided by our Featured Winemaker. This is an intimate, 4-course, fine-dining experience and an opportunity for a more in-depth conversation with our 2026 Featured Winemaker, Chris Carpenter of Cardinale Wine. We will sample some of the winemaker’s most special offerings and learn more about each wine. Our restaurant is planning a perfectly paired lunch menu to accompany these exceptional wines. There will also be a mini auction to get everyone in the spirit for Saturday’s festivities, and a first look at the final version of the 2026 Auction Catalog!
Tickets
Members – $300 / Non-Members – $350
Learn More About Membership
Some Austin Wine & Food Foundation Gala Table Levels include complimentary tickets to this Luncheon Event. Consider purchasing your Gala Table first!
Click here for the 2025 Auction Weekend Catalog to see last year’s Auction packages!
ATTIRE: Business Casual
LOCATION: To be announced soon
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2026 Featured Winemaker
We are thrilled to welcome Christopher Carpenter of Cardinale Winery as our Featured Winemaker and speaker for the 40th Annual Wine Auction & Gala!
Chris Carpenter is the winemaker for many of Napa Valley’s most prestigious wineries, including Cardinale, Lokoya, La Jota Vineyard Co., Mt. Brave, Caladan, and Hickinbotham in South Australia’s McLaren Vale. Over the past two decades, Chris has earned a reputation for taming Napa Valley’s mountain tannins and creating legendary Cabernet Sauvignon. He works closely with the vineyard team to nurture and then manifest the unique character of each vineyard block in elegant wines with great depth, mountain character, and historic pedigree.
We are honored to have Chris Carpenter here to share his expertise and award-winning wines with us.
AWFF GIVES BACK!
In addition to our yearly programming, proceeds from our events help support our philanthropic initiatives, including giving back $115,000 in grants and educational scholarships in 2026!
AWFF Grants
AWFF is committed to preventing and battling food insecurity in Central Texas. In 2025, we granted a total of $65,000 to the following organizations.
Learn More About Grants
AWFF Hospitality Scholarships
The Austin Wine & Food Foundation Scholarship Program exists to support hospitality professionals in their career growth and achieve their career goals. We believe that every dedicated service professional deserves access to the tools and training needed to advance their career, regardless of financial barriers.
Our comprehensive scholarship initiative provides funding for industry certifications, specialized training programs, and continuing education opportunities. From sommelier certifications and culinary arts programs to hospitality management courses and service excellence training, we support professionals at every stage of their career journey.
Learn More About Scholarships
Thank You to Our Sponsors
