The Fresno State Winery will showcase several new vintages of its popular wines at the Flavor of Fall tasting event from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Department of Viticulture and Enology (2360 E. Barstow Ave.).
The event will feature four newly-released wines, including the 2015 Classic Chardonnay, 2015 Pinot Noir, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2012 Saviez Syrah. Also available will be the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc that was introduced in August, the award-winning 2013 Merlot and other fall French varietals.
Those attending can also sample the Petrucci’s Crush wine blend that is named in honor of department founder Dr. Vincent E. Petrucci. The limited edition red wine was designed by University winemaker Matt Brain and Fresno State students and will be released later this year.
“Wine connoisseurs will love this Bordeaux-style wine that is complex and powerful, yet elegant,” Brain said. “It has layers of smooth, rich fruit with notes of roasted savory barrel.”
The family event will also include fun activities for children, including pumpkin carving, face painting and a bean bag toss.
Tickets will be available at the event for $15 for the public and $10 for wine club members, Fresno State faculty, staff and students (21 and over). Parking is free in the adjacent Lot P20 on Barstow and Jackson avenues.
Fresno State Wine Club members are invited to pick up their October shipments at the Flavor of Fall event.
Wine shipments will include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Classic Chardonnay varieties. Participants can also participate in a blind taste test of four new barrel blends. The blend that receives the most votes will be bottled and produced for the wine club in 2017.
Wine club members can bring guests to the shipment pick-up, and the public can also participate if they join the wine club at the event. Membership is free and includes a minimum shipment of four bottles at each of its three annual deliveries. The cost is $45 to $55 each shipment.
Also coming this fall, the third annual Winemaker’s Dinner will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Narrow Gauge Inn in Fish Camp near Yosemite National Park. Those in attendance will enjoy a delectable five-course meal prepared by the Narrow Gauge Inn chef and paired with Fresno State wines.
Tickets are $85 and are available at http://store.fresnostatewinery.com/Wine-Store/Dessert-and-Specialty-Wines.
For those who wish to enjoy a beautiful fall weekend in the Sierra Nevadas, the dinner is part of the two-night Wine Weekend in the Woods event that begins Friday, Nov. 4, and costs $125 per person. The event will include a blending seminar hosted by Brain and a tasting competition by guests who will compete as teams as they create their own blends. The most popular blend from the competition will be bottled for each person to take home.
Other weekend events include a Friday night fireplace sampling of the soon-to-be-released Petrucci’s Crush blend, a hike near Yosemite and visits with the campus winemaker and other wine enthusiasts.
Wine club members have first priority to sign up for both November weekend events, and the public can reserve remaining space beginning Oct. 1. Contact the Narrow Gauge Inn for more information about special room rates at 559.683.7720.
For more information about Fresno State Winery events and the wine club, visit Wine-Club or contact Jody Gomes, wine club president, at 559.278.6070 or winery_info@mail.fresnostate.edu.
