Wine dinner planned to benefit UF Small Animal Hospital oncology program

An event to support the oncology program at the University of Florida Small Animal Hospital and its efforts to combat cancer in pets will be held Tuesday, April 30 at the Columbia Ybor City, Florida’s oldest restaurant.

The occasion, billed as an intimate wine dinner, will feature UF athletic director Jeremy Foley as guest speaker. Foley will share his experiences as an animal lover and those of his dog, Gracie, who has been treated at UF’s Small Animal Hospital. Many of those involved in organizing the event own or have owned animals that have also been treated at UF, including the Gonzmart family, which has owned the Columbia Restaurant for five generations.

Columbia’s co-owner and fourth generation family member, Richard Gonzmart, honored his German shepherd, named Rusty, in 2011 by creating his own blend of wine, called Rusty, Red Blend 2005. A portion of the proceeds from Rusty Red Wine sales have gone to benefit the oncology program at UF’s Small Animal Hospital. At the upcoming event, Gonzmart will uncork a new wine – Enzi Chardonnay, named for the German shepherd that belongs to his daughter, Andrea. Enzi has recently been an oncology patient at UF.

Proceeds from the event will support the Olive’s Way Oncology Fund, which supports UF veterinary oncology. Limited seating is available. For more information, to procure reservations to the wine dinner and the private reception with Foley preceding the dinner, or to make a donation to the UF veterinary oncology program, contact Melissa Headrick at headrick@ufl.edu. She may be reached by phone at 352-294-4215.