[KHTS] The 13th Vine 2 Wine Classic attracted more than 500 guests to the Main Gallery at California Institute of the Arts in Valencia on Saturday to benefit Circle of Hope, Inc.

The event featured more than 40 wineries, vineyards and distributors with hundreds of wines for guests to sample.

“We really wanted this to be fun, casual event,” said Ray Tippet, executive director of Circle of Hope, Inc., a cancer support nonprofit.

Guests enjoyed food from 24 restaurants and caterers and the Barley 2 Beer experience attracted nearly a dozen craft breweries.

Among those pouring samples of craft brew was Yves Aldana of Hanger 24 from Redlands.

“We wanted to bring some great beer to the Santa Clarita Valley and hang out with the folks here,” said Aldana. “Our brewery focuses on using local ingredients. We actually brew our beer in a converted airplane hangar.”

Laina McFerren and Michael Lightner represented Wolf Creek Brewery in Valencia. Wolf Creek offered guests a variety of craft brews to sample.

“This is a great opportunity to support the community that has been so supportive of us,” said McFerren. “This is a great chance to showcase our bottled beer, which we started bottling about two months ago. We brought our four bottled beers to share.”

The offerings from Wolf Creek included Midnight Howl India Black Pale Ale, Howlin’ Hefeweizen, Golden Eagle Ale and Desperado India Pale Ale.

Throughout the evening crooner Jimmy Carnelli, former drummer for late pianist Roger Williams, entertained guests with a mix of standards and Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole tunes.

“This is my third year performing at this event,” said Carnelli. “This is a great organization led by great people. All the money raised here tonight stays in our community. I am honored to be able participate.”

Martha Aguilera, of Kokolita Cakes in Valencia and Newhall, offered guests cleverly named mini cupcakes in a variety of flavors including a Red Velvet “Mr. President,” a dark Belgian chocolate “Pinup Queen,” “The Godfather” coconut cupcake, Vanilla Sundae, chocolate peanut butter “Lotta Lovin’”, Devil’s Food with whipped crème and ganache “Chanel” and vanilla cake with dulce de leche “Babalu.”

“We want to be active in our community and Circle of Hope is near and dear to our hearts,” said Aguilera. “They help a lot of people and we want to help Circle of Hope help people.”

Library wines at the event were offered by Chris and Jeannie Carpenter and Robert and Annie Schwartz.

Vine2Wine Classic guest Ronda Chobanian said the event was a “great evening.”

“It is awesome to see so many people support a cause that helps women facing the toughest battle of their lives,” Chobanian said.

Guests who attended the Vine 2 Wine Classic left the event with a souvenir Riedel wine glass, worth $30 and a bottle of Lucy Wine made by the Pisoni family of Pisoni Vineyards and Lucia Vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

Cancer survivor Michele Ross represented Pisoni Vineyards and Lucy wine at the event.

“This is a great cause because there are so many people who are underinsured, or without insurance, that need help,” said Ross.

The event, which ran from 6 to 10:30 p.m., featured Silver Oak, Caymus and Groth wines at the Circle of Hope table and wine from Au Bon Climat Winery, Castoro Cellers, Clayhouse Wines, Chamisal Vineyards, Coruce Vineyard, Donati Family Vineyards, Dry Creek Vineyard, Empson – Italian importers, Fratelli Perata, Forefront by Pine Ridge, Golden Star Vineyards, Groth Reserve – Oakville, Groth – Sauvignon Blanc, Harmony Cellars, Hug Cellers, J. Lohr Vineyards, J & J Cellers, Kiamie Wine Cellars, Larson Champagne, Layer Cake, Letitia Vineyards, Louis Martini Vineyard, Lucinda & Millie, Lucy Wine, Nadeau Family Vintners, Nadia, Nuggucciet Cellars, One True Vine Cellars – St Helena, Opolo Vineyards, Pear Valley, Penman Springs, Pine Ridge – Vineyards, Pulchella Winery, Quady Winery, Raymond Winery, Reyes Winery, River Star Vineyards, Scharffenberger – Sponsored by Reality One, Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, Silver Oak – Alexander Valley, SteelHead – Vineyards, Tackitt Family Vinyards, Toad Hollow, Tolo Cellars, Trefethen Family Vinyards, Valley of The Moon, Vigilance Winery & Cellars and Zaca Mesa.

Craft breweries included Alaskan Brewing Co., Anderson Valley Brewing Co., Angel City Brewery, Deschutes Brewery, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Golden Road Brewing, Kinetic Brewing Co., Lagunitas Brewing Co., Hanger 24, Stone Brewing Co. and Wolf Creek Brewery.

Food was provided by California Mad Poppers, Eat Real café, Embassy Suites, Hidden Havana, Hubert’s Lemonade, It’s A Grind, Jasmin Thai, Kake Kreations, Kokolita Cakes & More, Lima Limon, Marston’s, Nothing Bunt Cakes, Persia Restaurant, Pieology, Pizzscotti, Rattler’s BBQ, Rita’s Ice, Rustic Burger/Rustic Eatery, Smokin Bar-B-Quties, Stonefire Grille, Thelma and Luis Cafe, Nana’s Baked Goods, Truffles and Toffee and Wildflour Gourmet Baking Company.

“We are so pleased with the support we’ve received from the wine, beer and food purveyors and to everyone to attended,” said Tippet. “All the money raised stays right here in the Santa Clarita Valley to help our neighbors.”

Circle of Hope, Inc. was founded by breast cancer survivor Colleen Shaffer and received nonprofit status in 2004. Circle of Hope provides financial, emotional, and educational support for breast cancer patients in the SCV. Other cancers now covered by Circle of Hope include uterine, ovarian, cervical, colon and prostate and testicular. The all-volunteer organization welcomes donations and volunteers.

For more information about Circle of Hope, Inc. visit www.circleofhopeinc.org.