Sip for the Sea

Home 2019 UPDATE

A Tasting of Sustainable Seafood and Wine


2020 Update

Ensuring the health and safety of our guests, restaurant partners, staff, and animals is our top priority. Given the many uncertainties ahead of us this year, we will not be hosting our annual Sip for the Sea benefit in September 2020.

Although we will miss welcoming you to the Central Park Zoo for an evening of delicious food and fun, we hope to see you in person for another sensational event in 2021.

WCS is dedicated to carrying out our vital work around the world. We are so grateful for your continued generosity. If you would like to make a contribution in lieu of an event ticket, you can do so online.

Should you have any questions, please contact sipforthesea@wcs.org.

As always, thank you for your support.

Cheers!

#sipforsea

about the event

SIP FOR THE SEA is the annual tasting event of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Guests enjoy pairings of wines with sustainable seafood and other delectable offerings from many of New York’s top restaurants at stations throughout the Central Park Zoo’s beautiful colonnade and central garden. This festive evening showcases WCS’s marine conservation and education work at the New York Aquarium and around the world.

TICKETS + PACKAGES

Please click on each package name for a full list of benefits.

Ticket purchases include tastings from all participating restaurants, souvenir wine glass, souvenir event photo and an interactive sea lion feed.

Tickets will not be mailed in advance; guest names will be held at the door.

Tickets are non-refundable. This event will take place rain or shine.

 

Individual Ticket $200
($125 is tax-deductible)
  • One Ticket
Grand Taster Ticket $500
($425 is tax-deductible)
  • One Grand Taster Ticket
  • Exclusive seating area with featured wines
  • Exclusive access to Penguin House (open until 7:30 PM)
Patron Package $1,500
($1,207 is tax-deductible)
Sustainer Package $5,000
($4,257 is tax-deductible)
Advocate Package $10,000
($8,732 is tax-deductible)
  • Fifteen Grand Taster Tickets
  • One-year WCS Conservation Patron Protector Level Membership
  • Private tour of the New York Aquarium for four
  • Reserved table seating
  • Exclusive seating area with featured wines
  • Exclusive access to Penguin House (open until 7:30 PM)
  • Recognition on slideshow at event
  • Listing in WCS Annual Report
Benefactor Package $25,000
($23,207 is tax-deductible)
  • Twenty Grand Taster Tickets
  • One-year WCS Conservation Patron Protector Level Membership
  • Private Tour of the New York Aquarium with Director Jon Dohlin and lunch for six
  • Reserved Table Seating
  • Exclusive seating area with featured wines
  • Exclusive access to Penguin House (open until 7:30 PM)
  • Recognition on slideshow at event
  • Listing in WCS Annual Report
CONTRIBUTION
I/We cannot attend but would like to make a contribution.

Under federal tax rules, certain restrictions apply to the purchase of event tickets by donor advised funds and private foundations. Please contact your tax advisor or your DAF’s sponsoring organization for more details.

Restaurants

Many thanks to the restaurants and specialty food and spirits purveyors who prepared fabulous tastings for SIP FOR THE SEA 2019. 

Almond
Amali
Between the Bread
Crave Fishbar
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse
Lamia's Fish Market
Mastro's Steakhouse Manhattan
Mayanoki
Perrine
Shuka
Tavern on the Green
Thalassa Restaurant
Tocqueville Restaurant


Specialty Foods
Butterfly Bakeshop
Little Red Kitchen Bake Shop
My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream
Romilly Cidre
Spoonable Spirits
Westward Whiskey

 

Wines

Wine Tasting Provided By

Cono sur Vineyards & Winery, located in in South America´s southern cone, was founded in 1993 with a vision of producing premium, expressive and innovative wines that convey the spirit of the new world. Since its conception, Cono Sur has been deeply committed to the development of its environmental policies, believing that high quality wine production can work hand-in-hand with eco-friendly practices.

Leadership

Elizabeth Ann and Maggie Beller
Leland and Paula Black
Christine Denham and Maggie Stein
Susan F. DiCicco and Robert C. Fermann
Nina and Christopher Evison
Diane and Jerry Fishman - Brooklyn Pet Supply
Daisy Friedman
Michael Gabriel
Margaret Meacham Klemm
Eric and Sandy Krasnoff
Richard P. Krasnow and Nancy Meyrich
Colleen Matsunaga
Sri and Vishnu Murthy
Nickelodeon
Laurie Weltz
Valerie Winchester

List in Formation

Sponsors

Supporting Sponsor

   

Event Partners

Red Oyster Kerry Quade

Board

Cristián Samper
President and CEO

Board Officers

Alejandro Santo Domingo
Chair

Hamilton E. James
Vice Chair

 Gordon E. Dyal
Treasurer

Frederick W. Beinecke
Secretary

 

Elected Trustees

Elizabeth Ainslie
Frederick W. Beinecke
Rosina M. Bierbaum
Duncan A. Chapman
Rudolph F. Crew
Katherine L. Dolan
Gordon E. Dyal
Thomas J. Edelman
Christopher J. Elliman
Paul A. Gould
Jonathan D. Green
Antonia M. Grumbach
Judith H. Hamilton
John N. Irwin III

Hamilton E. James
Julia Marton-Lefèvre
David J. Millstone
Ambrose K. Monell
Adebayo O. Ogunlesi
Alejandro Santo Domingo
Juan Manuel Santos
David B "Scott" Schiff
Walter C. Sedgwick
Katherine Sherrill
Caroline N. Sidnam
Andrew H. Tisch
Roselinde Torres

 Life Trustees

C. Diane Christensen
Howard Phipps, Jr., Chair Emeritus
Julian Robertson
David T Schiff, Chair Emeritus
Mrs. Leonard N. Stern
Ward W. Woods, Chair Emeritus
Barbara Hrbek Zucker

 

Trustees Emeriti

Eleanor Briggs
Jonathan L. Cohen
Bradley L. Goldberg
Brian J. Heidtke

past event photos

Gala past event photos

frequently asked questions

1. Where can I buy tickets for this event?
Online ticketing is now closed. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

2. Can I buy a ticket the night of the event?
Yes, tickets will be available at the door for an increased price. We recommend that you purchase tickets in advance online.

3. If I am unable to attend, can I get a refund?
No, all ticket purchases are final and non-refundable.

4. How will the charge appear on my credit card?
Your credit card statement will show charges from the Wildlife Conservation Society or WCS.

5. What time does the event start?
The event begins at 6:30 PM and concludes at 9:30 PM.

6. With my Sip for the Sea ticket, am I able to come earlier in the day and enjoy the Central Park Zoo until the event starts?
Unfortunately, the Sip for the Sea ticket only gives you admittance into the Central Park Zoo beginning at 6:30 PM.  Please visit the Central Park Zoo website to learn more about planning your visit to the zoo!

7. Where is the Central Park Zoo?
The Central Park Zoo is located near the southeast corner of Central Park. The entrance is located at Fifth Avenue and 64th Street.

8. Is there parking at the Central Park Zoo?
Parking is not available at Central Park Zoo. If you are arriving by car, consider the following garages: Narragansett Garage at 124 East 63rd Street, Regency Garage at 245 East 63rd Street, Renoir Garage at 225 East 63rd Street, or Distinctive Parking at 35 East 61st Street.

9. Can I bring my child?
By law, no one under the age of 21, including children in strollers accompanied by their parents, can be admitted. Please bring valid government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport for proof of age. This policy is strictly enforced.

10. Is there food at the event?
Of course! You will find a variety of food samples from some of New York’s top restaurants that will be perfectly paired with wine.

11. Will there be vegetarian food options?
The food samplings vary based on the restaurants who have donated to the event, so vegetarian options are not always available at restaurant stations. But we do offer a number of vegetarian passed hors d’oeuvres throughout the event.

12. Will there be non-alcoholic beverages available?
Yes, there will be water stations throughout the event.

13. Will the event be held if there is inclement weather?
This event will happen rain or shine! In the event of rain, all bars, food and music will be under cover. Coat check will be available.

14. Can I get a tax deduction for my ticket purchase?
The tax-deductible portion varies based on the individual ticket or package purchased. Please check the ticket page for more information or call 718 741 1616 with questions.

15. Can I purchase any of the wine that I sampled at the event?
Although the wines will not be available for purchase at the event, they are sold at stores throughout the tri-state area. Please hold on to your program so you have a list of your personal favorites.

16. Is there a dress code of the event?
There is no enforced dress code; however we do ask you to dress in keeping with the nature of the event. Shorts and t-shirts are not considered appropriate attire for evening events.

17. Where can I learn more about supporting WCS and the New York Aquarium?
We have many ways you can continue your support of WCS and the New York Aquarium. Please visit wcs.org and www.nyaquarium.com.

 

 

Contact

For more information, please contact Liz Benham at 718 741 1616 or sipforthesea@wcs.org
Learn more about the Wildlife Conservation Society at wcs.org

Mission
WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature.

Vision
WCS envisions a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas, valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth.

sip_for_the_sea_hash

Photo Credits
©Julie Larsen Maher/WCS; ©InFocusNYC; ©Owen Hoffman/PatrickMcMullan.com; ©Hagop Kalaidjian/BFA.com

© 2020 Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York 10460
718 741 1616 • Terms of Use • wcs.org