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April 23, 2003

Palate-pleasing festival hosted by Indiana Wine Grape Council

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – People who want to indulge their love of wine and food will find plenty of palate-pleasing options on June 7 at the Vintage Indiana Wine and Food Festival.

The festival, sponsored by the Indiana Wine Grape Council at Purdue University, will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Indianapolis at Military Park.

"Vintage Indiana offers something for everybody – wine tasting, gourmet food, KidZone, a designated driver program and gourmet chef demonstrations," said Sally Linton, marketing director for the Indiana Wine Grape Council. "It is a great way to experience what the Indiana wine industry and its partners have to offer."

Participants can sample from more than 100 Indiana wines, dine on food prepared by Indiana's finest chefs and learn how to pair foods with wine.

"Vintage Indiana is the only outdoor wine and food festival that focuses on Indiana businesses," Linton said. "This gives visitors a chance to experience the wineries and restaurants offered in the Hoosier state."

Among presentations at the festival will be:

  • At noon, Circle City Bar & Grille's Chef Michael will offer the best of Indiana in his demonstration, "Creative Cooking from Circle City Bar & Grille." To complement Chef Michael's dishes, Butler Winery will bring their Chambourcin wine.

  • Marsh Supermarket chefs will demonstrate how to "Think Fresh" when creating dishes designed for the coming summer nights. At 1:30 p.m. these simple foods will be paired with the Kleineweiss wine from Madison Vineyards.

  • At 3 p.m. R Bistro's Chef Regina Mehallick will provide a healthy spin on "The OTHER White and Dark Meat – TURKEY." The wine for these dishes will be Simmons Winery's Late Harvest.

  • "Seasonal Eats, Regional Drinks" is the theme of Chef Dan Noble's 4 p.m. demonstration. Noble, the executive chef of Something Different, will cook with local ingredients to create world-class dishes. Participants also can enjoy a local wine, Snapper White wine, from Turtle Run Winery.

    While adults explore the wine, food, live music and educational seminars, children can have fun in the interactive KidZone. A bounce house and clown will provide the entertainment.

    From noon to 7 p.m. music will be provided by the Ann McWilliams Band, Governor Davis and the Blues Ambassadors and Jennie DeVoe.

    Registration for the festival is $15 in advance for adults ages 21 and over and $18 at the gate. Wine samples are included; however, food and wine by the glass or bottle are not included in the admission price. Designated driver tickets also are available for $8 at the gate or in advance and include unlimited soft drinks. Children ages 5 and under are free.

    Tickets can be purchased online. Tickets also go on sale May 1 at Marsh Supermarkets and participating wineries. A list of participating wineries can be found on the Web site. The first 10,000 adult ticket holders will receive a free etched wineglass.

    A Vintage Indiana overnight package at the Downtown Marriott, located just two blocks from the festival, also is available for $92.30. The package includes a room for Saturday evening, two adult tickets to Vintage Indiana, a dinner gift certificate for the Circle City Bar and Grille and discounts at the Circle Centre Mall. Two-night packages are $184.60. For reservations call (877) 640-7666.

    Writer: Michelle Betz, (765) 494-8402, agnews-stories@purdue.edu

    Source: Sally Linton, (765) 496-3842, lintons@purdue.edu

    Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu; https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/AgComm/public/agnews/

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