Each year, with the help of numerous volunteers, wineries and corporate sponsors, the festival has grown, allowing larger amounts to benefit charities and the community.

The weekend will begin at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Buckhead with a special Reserve Fundraiser Event Friday, Sept. 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. with a Palms d’Or Champagne reception and auction item preview beginning at 6:30 p.m. An event for the serious wine aficionado, this event will feature some of the finest wines, such as Silver Oak and Louis Martini, as well as a delectable menu including Salmon Wellington, oysters, crab claws and roasted beef tenderloin and desserts from Alon’s Bakery. Wes Sarginson of WXIA will host a live auction featuring a Bosendorfer piano, along with a silent auction. Both auctions will benefit Angel Flight of Georgia, a non-profit organization providing free air transportation to and from treatment facilities for those with medical needs who are financially distressed or unable to travel on public transportation.

Making the move from Gwinnett to Downtown Atlanta, the 8th Annual Wine South 2007 Grand Festival will take place Saturday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 30 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center. This premier event is a food and wine lover’s dream, with more than 600 wines to sample from seven international pavilions along with food from restaurants including Oceanaire Seafood Room, The Real Cow Baby, Imperial Fez, Dish and The Dinner A’Fare.

Prior to the festival on Saturday and Sunday, chef, author, television host and lifestyle guru Maureen Petrosky will host a limited-seating interactive seminar each morning. Saturday’s session, “Bubbly 101,” will teach attendees the ins and outs of starting their own wine club, while Sunday’s seminar “Wines to Cool the Heat” will guide guests through pairing wines with spicy foods.

In addition to the vast selection of wine and food, the event will also feature wine artist Thomas Arvid and singer-songwriter Anna Wilson. A silent auction to benefit Angel Flight of Georgia will highlight chef dinners, beautiful art, vacation packages and more. In addition, acclaimed chefs will teach three life cooking demonstrations each day.

Tickets for the Reserve Event Fundraiser cost $185, and if available, will be $225 at the door. Grand Festival tickets are $80 each day in advance or $100 at the door. A designated driver ticket which provides access to the event but no alcohol is $55 each day. Tickets for Petrosky’s seminars are $35, and all tickets can be purchased online at www.winesouth.com.