More than 200 people sipped, savored and shopped at the inaugural Wine, Women & Shoes event held Saturday, March 16, at Corporate Air, Inc.

The scene was a cross between wine country and the fashion district as guests, wine glasses in hand, sampled dozens of reds, whites and everything in between while shopping for great shoes and accessories at the marketplace.

Those not sure which varietals to pair with their fashion were assisted by “shoe guys,” known as “Shoemaliers” who helped guests pair the perfect combo of wine and shoes. In their regular lives, the “shoe guys” are 28 of Vero’s best-known volunteers from the business and civic community.

“This has been such a great event, and we really want to thank all our volunteers and the Vero Beach community for coming out to Wine, Women & Shoes,” Treasure Coast Food Bank CEO Judy Cruz said. “Every purchase made tonight and every bottle of wine sold will help us fight hunger across the Treasure Coast.”

The evening capped with a lively fashion show and live auction where the top prizes included wine tasting trips to California wine country.

The proceeds from the evening all benefited Treasure Coast Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief agency serving Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Martin counties. Treasure Coast Food Bank, in conjunction with its 200 partner agencies, provides more than 100,000 meals each week to those people in need of food. In addition, Treasure Coast Food Bank provides direct hunger and poverty assistance through several programs, including food for seniors, after-school snacks for students, Mobile Pantry, School Pantry, and its Your Plate holistic hunger assistance program.

Vero Beach’s business community gave an outpouring of support to Wine, Women & Shoes. The George E. Warren Corporation was Platinum Presenting Sponsor. Other sponsors were Brown & Brown Insurance, Corporate Air, Inc., Crossfit Vero Beach, Decorative Arts, Florida Power & Light, Seacoast National Bank, Stewart Evans Stewart & Emmons, Vero Insurance, Walmart, Schlitt Brothers Painting, Nellie Quiros Photography, and Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers.

Among the wineries that poured selections at Wine, Women & Shoes are Art Farm Wine, The Girls in the Vineyard, Weingut Allram, Atlas Cumbres,  Clayhouse Wines, Lagarde, Casa Vinicola Zonin, and OneHope.

Wines were but one element of the luxury event, as each of the wines were paired with delicious bites from area chefs and restaurants including Patisserie, Cobalt, Fork in the Road, Wild Thyme Catering, Vero’s Latin Fusion, RoseMarie’s Gourmet Cheescakes & Bakery, Elegant Events of Stuart, and Cobalt Restaurant in the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa.

Another highlight was the marketplace stocked with designer shoes, fashion accessories, and jewelry from local and national merchants such as Dede’s Shoes, Apparel & Handbags, PK Collection by Susan Nappa, Sirissima, Diana E. Kelly Designs, Lisa Mackey, and Stella & Dot.