Thirst for a Cause, an annual event started in 2009, raises funds to help with urgent medical expenses for members of Oklahoma's hospitality industry. Through our non-profit Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation, we are able to give something back to the hard-working employees of independent restaurants and country clubs.

The mission of this event is to help employees of Oklahoma City's independent restaurants who are in need of financial assistance due to an unforeseen medical issue. Over the years, our little committee has helped a hostess who was facing stage 4 leukemia, we have aided a line cook in paying for a kidney transplant, we have helped a server with terminal cancer to pay her electric bill so that she and her kids didn't have to live in a dark house, and the list goes on. All of these people are members of our community, and even more than that, they are members of the Oklahoma City hospitality family.

The Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity, so your purchase is tax deductible and nearly 100% of the money raised at this event goes directly to the charity -- not to cover costs.

Each year, we bring in around 30 premium wineries (totaling around 200 wines - yowza!) and 10 local restaurants, and each year is better than the last! You'll be able to meet and interact with winemakers from all over the wine world. These vintners, who represent some of the best wines available in the country, are coming all the way to Oklahoma to help raise money for our cause.

This year's event will take place on Wednesday, August 21st. This year serves as the 16th year for this event, and the 18th year for Thirst Wine Merchants as a company. We expect to show you the best time yet!