Events Before and During 2010 Pittsburgh Wine Festival Announced

PITTSBURGH, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The eighth annual Pittsburgh Wine Festival kicks off next week with pre-festival restaurant dinners and special events and performers during the festival.

On Tuesday, May 4, the Carlton Restaurant will host a dinner with Provenance & Hewitt winemaker Tom Rinaldi, maker of award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

On Wednesday, May 5, the Carlton will then host a dinner with Duckhorn Vineyards winemaker Bill Nancarrow, one of California's top Merlots. Exquisite food from Executive Chef Mark Swomley will be featured at both events.

On Wednesday, May 5, Lidia's Pittsburgh will host a wine dinner with Paolo Benegiamo, owner of Masseria L'Astore Winery. Excellent food will accompany wines from Dreadnought Wines.

Duane Reider and Tim Gaber, partners at Pittsburgh's own Engine House No. 25, will demonstrate the art of winemaking with their own press. They'll be pressing Chilean Merlot and taking patrons through the process of winemaking, step-by-step. Attendees will be encouraged to participate.

Performing artists on stilts will also be on hand to entertain the crowd, mingling throughout the audience. Artists include Donna Penoyer and Drew the Dramatic Fool.

The Pittsburgh Wine Festival provides an opportunity to sample some of the world's very best wines, and to meet and talk with some of the world's foremost authorities on wine. The Festival will be held in the Club Lounges at Heinz Field on Thursday, May 6, 2010, with the VIP tasting from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. and the Grand Tasting from 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.

This year features 20 new wineries at the Festival. "If you haven't been to the Wine Festival yet, you won't want to miss this year's event," said Ed Harrell, President of the Pittsburgh Wine Festival. "Guests can sample wines, learn about them, and enjoy good food and entertainment."

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased online at www.pittsburghwinefestival.com.  Prices are $250 for the VIP Tasting and $125 for the Grand Tasting.

SPONSORS AND BENEFICIARY

The 2010 Pittsburgh Wine Festival is produced by the Pittsburgh Wine Festival LLC, and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), UPMC, Comcast and Giant Eagle. It benefits Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, UPMC Cancer Centers, and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

INTERVIEWS

Ed Harrell, Dale Markham and PLCB wine specialists are available for interviews. Call Samantha Sosniak to make arrangements, 412.621.7494 x 14.

SOURCE Pittsburgh Wine Festival