rap up your afternoon house and garden tour with a splendid afternoon sampling of fine wines. HCF is pleased to be working with two extraordinary venues for the 2009 Festival wine tastings.

Caviar and Bananas Gourmet Market and Cafe, one of Charleston's hottest new eateries, will host our first 2009 wine tasting at its 51 George Street location following the Anson Street tour on Tuesday, March 31, at 5:15 p.m. Caviar and Bananas is designed to indulge and gratify the five senses with all things gourmet.

Our most popular events of the 2007 and 2008 Festivals were the Rutledge Avenue wine tastings provided by The Wine Shop and Circa 1886, an intimate AAA four-diamond restaurant tucked behind one of Charleston's true architectural gems, the stately Wentworth Mansion, which will be featured on the Rutledge Avenue tours. Circa 1886 will complement your tasting with a sampling of deliciously paired hors d'ouevres. Offered Monday, April 13, 5:15 p.m. and Friday, April 17, 5:15 p.m.

Tickets for each of these wine tastings are $35 and may be ordered from this website or by calling 843-722-3405 after Nov. 1, 2008.

Historic Charleston Foundation appreciates the support of its 2008 sponsors for this special event: Charming Inns of Charleston, The Wentworth Mansion and Circa 1886, The Wine Shop and Caviar and Bananas.