Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Baskerville
Hi Tanya, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been told I’m a connector, and that’s something I’ve truly embraced. I’m so thankful to have the ability to meet people, bring them together, and create opportunities to benefit my community. Wine Wars was born out of that passion. I wanted to create a wine festival that wasn’t just about wine but about supporting local charities, small businesses, and wineries in a way that was fun and truly unique.
It has always been important to me that everyone involved benefits—whether it’s the charities we support, the sponsors and local businesses we showcase, or the attendees who walk away with a truly memorable experience. As the festival has grown, I’ve worked hard to improve each event based on feedback from the community. Hearing how much people love it and seeing the impact we’re making inspires me to keep pushing forward, even when it gets tough.
What keeps me going is knowing that Wine Wars is creating opportunities to help others. That sense of purpose motivates me to expand to new markets and bring this experience to more communities, so we can continue to make a difference together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growing a new concept always comes with challenges. Since Wine Wars is so different from other wine festivals, a big part of our work involves educating people about how it works. Another significant challenge has been building a strong team to help us scale. Our ultimate goal is to bring Wine Wars to every major market in the U.S. While we’ve already received requests from multiple cities, scaling effectively while maintaining the quality and purpose of the event is a top priority.
We’re also focused on ensuring that we’re impactful in the local markets we serve before expanding further. Marketing presents its own set of challenges. Because we’re still growing, we’ve leaned heavily on grassroots efforts to make the most of our current budget. Fortunately, the positive experiences of our attendees have led to strong word-of-mouth referrals, with many people returning year after year. As we continue to grow, we’re actively exploring new ways to reach even more people while staying true to our mission.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Wine Wars is a competitive wine tasting festival benefiting a local charity, where the winning team will take home up to 150 bottles of wine at the end of the night. This is an exciting wine competition you don’t want to miss!
Wine Wars is more than a festival; it’s a spirited competition where teams battle for the ultimate grand prize: up to 150 bottles of wine. Sip and savor hundreds of wines, enjoy gourmet food, and become immersed in an evening filled with games, prizes, and photo-worthy moments—all while supporting a local charity.
At Wine Wars USA our mission is twofold: to celebrate the joy of wine while fostering community awareness and support for local charities making a difference. Through engaging experiences, tastings, and educational opportunities, we aim to enlighten and inspire attendees about the invaluable contributions of these charities to our community. Additionally, we proudly champion local small businesses, showcasing their products and services, thus furthering economic growth and sustainability within our community. Together, we raise our glasses to a shared commitment: empowering our community through the celebration of wine, charity, and local entrepreneurship.
Team up with your favorite wine-drinking friends on Feb. 22nd at Lake Eola for an exciting new competitive wine festival, WINE WARS!
Join in on the fun at the Wine Wars Festival, with tickets starting from $45! Wine Wars is a competitive wine festival, where you not only get to judge, but you can also be declared the winner. Get ready for an epic evening of tasting, sipping, and fierce wine competition in the heart of Downtown Orlando, Lake Eola.
📅: Saturday, Feb. 22nd
📍: Lake Eola
⏰: 4pm-8pm
🍷: Pinot Noir
🎗️: Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida
🎟️: WineWarsUSA.com
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I truly believe that success is a team effort, and there are so many people who deserve credit for helping Wine Wars thrive. First and foremost, I want to thank each and every person who has supported this event by purchasing a ticket, sharing it with your friends or colleagues, or attending and spreading the word. Sponsors and partners who believed in me and this event have also played a pivotal role in bringing it to life, and I’m incredibly grateful for their trust.
When I think of specific individuals who have made a significant impact, the first person that comes to mind is Barnard Fleurima. Barnard has been like an event mentor for me—a friend I can bounce ideas off of and someone who has always been supportive. His experience as a local event producer in Orlando, creating events that bring diverse groups together for great experiences, has been invaluable. He recently retired a ten-year-long event, SUNDAY FUNDAY at Aero, and has since transitioned to supporting others like me. His positive vibes and strategic mindset have truly been a blessing as I’ve worked to grow Wine Wars.
I also owe so much to my Communications Manager, Nikkia Finklea. Nikkia has been with me since day one and has been instrumental in defining and maintaining the voice of my brand. Her professionalism, positive attitude, and willingness to help in every way make her a huge asset to Wine Wars. Trust is everything in this business, and I feel so fortunate to have someone I can rely on so completely.
Another key player is my PR Pro, Keisha Pickett. Keisha is not just an incredible friend but also a seasoned expert in her field. She’s been responsible for securing the fantastic local news coverage we’ve received, and her dedication and expertise have been game-changers for the festival. She is truly amazing at what she does, and I’m so lucky to have her in my corner.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the Wine Wars team, including our volunteers, event staff, and local businesses who bring the festival to life. Their hard work and creativity elevate every aspect of the event. And last but certainly not least, our attendees—whether they’re wine lovers, competition participants, or first-timers—bring the energy that makes Wine Wars so special.
It’s humbling to know that so many people believe in this vision and contribute to its success. I’m deeply grateful to all of them for helping Wine Wars grow into not just an event but a meaningful community experience.
Pricing:
- $55 – Wine Competition Team Member – Jan
- $65 – Wine Competition Team Member – February
- $75 – Wine Tasting Judge – January
- $85 – Wine Tasting Judge – February
- $95 – Wine Tasting Judge Day Of
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WineWarsUSA.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winewarsusa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winewars
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@winewarsusa
