PA Wine Week To Feature Festivals In Hershey, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania's annual Wine Week takes off next week with the first-ever Wine Festival inHershey on May 7, the sixth annual Pittsburgh Wine Festival on May 8, and the seventh annual Philadelphia Wine Festival May 10.

"Regular attendees know that, each year, the festivals are bigger and more exciting than the year before," said Patrick "P.J." Stapleton III, chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, which is sponsoring the events. "This year is no exception. With more than 200 wineries participating, we have the largest, most diverse group of wines ever represented at Wine Week."

The week includes a series of wine seminars, auctions and dinners, highlighted by a grand festival tasting in each city. All events raise funds for local medical institutions.

The Wine Festival in Hershey VIP and grand tasting events begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the Giant Center.Hershey events benefit the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. Details and ticket information are available at www.winefestivalinhershey.com.

The Pittsburgh Wine Festival VIP and grand tasting events begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Heinz Field.Pittsburgh events benefit the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. For details and tickets: www.pittsburghwinefestival.com.

The Philadelphia Wine Festival VIP and grand tasting events begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at thePennsylvania Convention Center.Philadelphia events benefit the Children's Hospital ofPhiladelphia. For details and tickets: www.philadelphiawinefestival.com.

Each venue will have a temporary, on-site PLCB Premium Collection store featuring showcase wines offered at the tasting, including many available only at the festivals.

The tastings will feature wines from some of the world's most renowned vintners - from France's Chateau Mouton Rothschild to California's Rubicon Estate. But many smaller, undiscovered winemakers from around the world - fromCanada toSouth America, the Pacific Northwest toAustralia andNew Zealand - will also be pouring for wine enthusiasts eager to discover new favorites.

Highlights of this year's tastings will be samplings of three first-growthBordeaux (VIP only); a broader selection in the grand tasting of wines from prestigious vintners, like Cakebread Cellars; an expanded selection of wines fromSpain, including for the first time Bodegas y Vinedos Dos Victorias; organic wines from producers, such as Frey Vineyards and Bonterra; and locally made wines from notablePennsylvania producers.

Media coverage of the wine festivals is welcomed. Contact the PLCB Press Office for credentialing information.

CONTACT: Francesca Chapman

Nick Hays

(717) 783-8864

SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board