Vintage Indiana festival offers taste of local wineries, fare
June 2, 2014
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Nearly 30 Indiana wineries will uncork their wares at the 15th annual Vintage Indiana Wine and Food Festival on Saturday (June 7) from noon to 6 p.m. at Military Park in downtown Indianapolis.
More than 200 award-winning wines will be available for sample and purchase by the glass or bottle. The event will also feature more than 15 local food vendors, nearly 30 Indiana artisans and live music from Zanna-Doo, My Yellow Rickshaw and Jennie DeVoe.
"Whether you're a wine-lover or a foodie, Vintage Indiana is one of the highlights of summertime," said Jeanette Merritt, marketing director for the Purdue Wine Grape Team and director of the event. "Bring a blanket and a lawn chair, and plan to spend the day with us."
The festival is limited to adults 21 and older. Guests must provide identification to enter.
Advance tickets are available for $25 at participating wineries, Marsh supermarkets and online. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate for $35. Designated drivers can attend for $10. Early admission tickets, priced at $50, will allow festivalgoers to enter and buy wines at 11 a.m., an hour before the official opening.
A portion of each ticket sold will go to dots in blue water, an Indiana organization that helps provide Haitians with water purification systems, school computers and Web access. The remainder of the ticket proceeds helps fund the next Vintage Indiana festival.
Merritt advises attendees to plan a tasting route and whip out their wallets when they find a vintage that pleases the palate.
"Make a list of the wineries you really want to visit, and hit them first," she said. "If you're thinking of buying a bottle, get it then. Don't wait until later to make your purchases - that wine might not be there by the time you get back."
Writer: Natalie van Hoose, 765-496-2050, vanhoos@purdue.edu
Source: Jeanette Merritt, 765-496-3842, jkmerritt@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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