A glass was raised to say goodbye and salute our friend.
Sally with the Wine World crew Nov. 15, 2013
Sally was always ready with a smile and a glass of great wine
Today we said goodbye to our friend Sally Benjamin, co-founder of Wine World, who passed away last Wednesday. Following a service held Sunday, September 11, 2016 at Posey’s Funeral Home in North Augusta, many of her friends and family met at Wine World to offer praises, remembrances and a toast.
There were stories of Sally the great cook. Sally the teacher of wine. Sally the lover of wine. Sally the wonderful mother. Sally the wonderful grandmother. Sally the great friend to many.
Her son Andrew led the toast following many warm remembrances by many there.
We at BottleReport appreciate the support Sally and Dick gave us when we started. They eagerly stepped forward as our first advertiser. Sally welcomed us at tastings like family. I’ll always have memories of Sally, when she was at the red table at tastings, with a bottle of wine in her hand, passionately talking about the wine with a taster….. while a small crowd backed up waiting for her to pour. The more passionate she was the longer the line. She would go “oops” and start catching up smiling the whole time. I always loved her line at the start of a wine seminar “here is your quiz for afterwards” as she waved the evening’s order sheet. I’m proud to have passed her quiz several times.
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At the first tasting after Dick’s death I made a small sign that said “Dick couldn’t make it, he is pouring at a different table tonight.” For the first time in 2 years Dick and Sally will be pouring together again. On Friday night we had a small tasting at Dennis’s. We raised a glass and made a well deserved toast.
Sally, you were the best.
Here is an email sent out on Saturday from Wine World:
Sally Benjamin passed away this past Wednesday September 7th.
Sally and Dick Benjamin opened Wine World in 1972 in partnership with three other couples. At a time when fine wines were completely unavailable in the area, Wine World grew from a Wine Club gone amok, ordering dozens of cases for members, to a point when a physical location was necessary. Sally and Dick were also involved in Les Ami Du Vin, Taster’s Guild, The American Wine Society, and the Society of Wine Educators on the local and national level.
They were passionate about Wine and Wine education and loved to share their passion with others.
We love you Sally, you’ll be dearly missed!
There will be a Service at Posey’s Funeral Home on Sunday September 11th at 4pm, preceded by a Visitation. We will gather at Wine World after the service 5pm-ish for a celebration of Sally’s Life.
Below are many photos of Sally and the many events BottleReport has covered since 2009.
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