This is a home run pitch.

Three Red Sox players, Curt Schilling, Manny Ramirez and Tim Wakefield, have lent their images to the Longball Vineyards label, with some of the proceeds from sales going to each player’s favorite charity.

The wines will be available next month, according to Joe Astukewicz, wine manager at Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge, which has secured a limited number of cases. “We are taking pre-arrival wine orders now so Red Sox fans in our area will have a chance to get first dibs on these super-hot wines,” Astukewicz said. Call (508) 347-2231 for more info.

Picture this:

•Curt Schilling: Schilling Schardonnay, 2006 chardonnay, Lontue Valley, Chile: Unoaked chardonnay with lively flavors of apricots, apples and tropical fruits. Crisp and medium-bodied, the wine pairs well with salads, pasta, fish and chicken.

•Manny Ramirez, Manny Being Merlot, 2005 merlot, Lontue Valley, Chile: An estate-grown, deep red hand-crafted merlot with aromas of black and ripe red fruit. Velvety and spicy finish matches with grilled meats, pastas and pizza.

•Tim Wakefield: Caber-Knuckle, 2005 cabernet sauvignon, Lontue Valley, Chile: A deep red cab, estate grown and hand-crafted with aromas of blackberries and a hint of spice. Long, smooth finish and well balanced. Pairs well with grilled meats, burgers, pasta and pizza.

Original illustration is by Jonathan Banchick of Banchick Illustration.

Yankee Spirits will offer the wines at $10.99 per bottle; $118.69 for a mixed or solid case. For every bottle sold, $1.25 will be donated to the player’s charity. Yankee Spirits and Commonwealth Wine & Spirits, exclusive wholesaler of Longball Vineyards, will donate an additional 50 cents each, Astukewicz said.

Additional proceeds from the sale of the wines also benefit the Major League Baseball Players Trust.

About the charities: Chardonnay sales benefit Curt’s Pitch for ALS, a program founded by Schilling and his wife. It benefits the ALS Association, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people living with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and to help fund research.

Merlot sales will help Charlee Homes for Children, which provides therapeutic, residential and supportive services to abused, abandoned and neglected children.

Pitching In for Kids will receive funds from cabernet sales. It is a program that provides grants designed to improve the lives of children in New England.

Family-owned VinLozano Import Inc., with offices in Winchendon, came up with the idea for the charity wine labels as a result of its philanthropic wine project called Charity Wines. Athletes were enlisted with the help of Charity Hop, a fundraising organization, according to Longball Vineyard’s Web site.

By late May or early June, consumers will be able to order the wines at select restaurants and hotels. Fenway Park already has the wine.

Do you think beer drinkers will convert?

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Dig deep, foodies.

The Pancreatic Cancer Alliance will present Sweet Sensations, an evening of food, music, champagne, silent auction and decadent desserts, at 6 p.m. May 7 at Viva Bene Italian Ristorante, 144 Commercial St., Worcester.

Tickets cost $35 per person in advance; $40 at the door. A $100 patron donation includes two tickets. Proceeds benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. More info: (508) 754-7429; jazz@pancreatic-alliance.org; www.pancreatic-alliance.org.

Tyra Penn, the voice of “A Tasteful Blend” and “Jazz New England” on WICN 90.5 FM, Jerry Seeco, trumpeter/vocalist, and Jim Rice, pianist, will perform.

Sponsors include Vive Bene, Something Sweet by Michelle, Telegram & Gazette, WICN Public Radio, Miles Press, Kurlan Music Center and UMass Memorial Foundation.

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Julio’s Liquors in Westboro will have its annual beer fest from 1 to 4 p.m. May 6 at the store. The event is free to the public. More than 200 beers from 50 breweries will be available for tasting.

Bring your notepad!

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Bottle ‘N Cork, 197 Worcester St., North Grafton, will feature wines from Paso Robles, Calif., at its in-store tasting from 5 to 7 p.m. tomorrow.

Selections will include EOS Reserve Chardonnay, Victor Hugo Hunchback, Rosenblum Zinfandel and Justin Cabernet Sauvignon.

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A lot of schmoozing at Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation held Monday at the Worcester Crowne Plaza.

There was so much food. We haven’t had a bite to eat since the event. Just kidding, of course.

The grand ballroom was wall-to-wall with chefs, restaurateurs, breweries and wineries. The guys and gals outside in the big white tent drew a big crowd for burgers and Polar beverages.

The pastries were to die for. We can’t write about everything, but we have to mention Blue Hydrangea Bake Shop, Palma’s Bakery, Something Sweet by Michelle, Café Dolce and On the Rise Baking, all in Worcester, Coldstone Creamery in Millbury, A Basket Case in West Boylston and Sturbridge Baking Company in Sturbridge. Outstanding desserts!

Audrey Kurlan-Marcy, coordinator, pulled the event together once again with the help of Tamara Colpack of the Worcester Crowne Plaza and a team of volunteers who worked nonstop. Proceeds benefit The Worcester County Food Bank in Shrewsbury and Rachel’s Table in Worcester.

Monday, April 28, 2008, will mark the 20th anniversary of the event in Worcester.

Thanks to the chefs for a memorable evening of dining out. We can’t wait to see what’s next on the table.

If you have a tidbit for this column, call (508) 793-9145. Send e-mail to bhoule@telegram.com.