Cal Poly Wine Festival: April 8-9, 2011

NEW this year is a Friday seminar, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines in Paso Robles–Trends and Terroir in Wine Today–featuring Gary Vaynerchuk, Leah Hennessy, Kris O’Connor and a panel of experts.  Also included is a barrel room luncheon and tasting hosted by Jerry Lohr.

The Festival will celebrate its eighth year at Margarita Vineyards, home of Ancient Peaks Winery, on Saturday, April 9th from 1-4 p.m. This student-run event is a fund-raiser for the Wine and Viticulture program at Cal Poly. Last year the event drew over 1,000 wine enthusiasts, Cal Poly students and alumni. More than 100 wineries from throughout California participated in the event. Twenty local restaurants served appetizers while attendees tasted fine wines and enjoyed live music. A barbeque the evening before at the Cal Poly Gardens and Leaning Pine Arboretum offers alumni, students and wine industry friends the chance to mingle with winemakers from participating wineries.

Weekend packages start at $140 for all events, vallitix.rdln.com/Artist.aspx. For more information go to www.calpolywinefest.com.