June 18, 2009 - Detroit Tigers star Curtis Granderson will host “Passport To Wines Of The World with Curtis Granderson” on July 23, a wine-tasting event featuring over 300 wines from around the globe to benefit his Grand Kids Foundation, which works with Michigan’s inner city schools. The event will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Big Rock Chophouse/The Reserve in Birmingham and will include a live bachelor auction, with Granderson and Tigers teammates Edwin Jackson and Ryan Perry auctioning off a private dinner with themselves to the highest bidder.

Tickets are $135 for VIP and $85 for general admission. Detroit Wine Organization members will receive a $10 discount on both VIP and general admission prices. Tickets can be purchased at www.grandkidsfoundation.org/passport. To become a free member of the Detroit Wine Organization, visit www.detroitwine.org.

“This is going to be a great event. We are bringing people together to learn about the wines of the world and raise a lot of money for my foundation,” stated Granderson, who has served as Major League Baseball’s overseas ambassador the past three years. “This will be the perfect event Tigers fans and wine enthusiasts alike to interact with some of their favorite players as summer winds down and we get ready for the stretch run of the baseball season.”

“The Detroit Wine Organization is excited about this opportunity to partner with the Grand Kids Foundation for an evening that promises to be a home run for sports fans as well as wine enthusiasts,” added Detroit Wine Organization President Tami Tennant. “We look forward to a fun-filled evening featuring our host Curtis Granderson as well as some amazing wine selections from around the world.”

Included in the evening will be a silent auction of sports memorabilia, wine and entertainment packages as well as a bachelor auction where the highest bid will win an elegant dinner for two with Granderson, Jackson or Perry. Other participants for the bachelor auction will be announced as they confirm.

“I am especially excited for the bachelor auction. I hope that portion of the evening raises the most money, and I am sure there will be some locker room pride on the line between myself, Edwin Jackson and Ryan Perry to see who can raise the most money,” Granderson said.

Tickets include entry into the event, tasting of over 300 wines and Big Rock Chophouse brews, a Wine Tails tasting, valet parking and appetizers. VIP tickets also include entry into a VIP reception at 6:30 p.m., access to a special VIP wines as well as a souvenir wine glass to take home.

The event will feature over 300 wines from five continents, including local wines from Detroit and throughout the state of Michigan.

For more information on “Passport To Wines Of The World with Curtis Granderson” or to purchase tickets, visit www.grandkidsfoundation.org/passport.

About Grand Kids Foundation
The Grand Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established in 2008 as an educational-based organization. Through a variety of yearly events, sponsorships and donations, the Grand Kids Foundation will be able to achieve many goals within the community.

Donations to the Grand Kids Foundation will go towards purchasing school supplies for needy families/kids, books and supplies for schools which do not get the funding they always need, establishing baseball programs as well as providing equipment and facilities in some of Michigan 's inner cities and eventually a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors.

About Detroit Wine Organization
The Detroit Wine Organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, incorporated in 2002. They accomplish their mission by hosting events that are both educational and fun, as well as by providing resources and professional development opportunities to the local wine industry.

Their charity partners are locally based organizations such as the Children's Center, the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center, and the Schoolcraft College Culinary Salon Team.