Harris Bank 2009 Milwaukee Wine Festival

MILWAUKEE (July 13, 2009) – inPLAY EVENTS announces the return of the 2009 Milwaukee Wine Festival presented by Harris Bank to be held Aug. 21-22 on the grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum. The two-day, outdoor event, will provide festival goers with an opportunity to sample more than 200 fine wines from around the globe in a relaxed setting along the shore of Lake Michigan with a beautiful view of the Santiago Calatrava.

“Our sponsorship of the festival continues to build on our overall efforts to support the greater Milwaukee community,” said Tom Bolger, president of Harris Bank Wisconsin. “Harris Bank has a long history of supporting the growth and success of the communities we serve and we are dedicated to be a part of helping to showcase this vibrant city.”

“This relaxed wine tasting event is designed not only for the novice wine consumer just learning about the world of wine but also for the experienced wine drinker looking for new and exciting brands,” said event organizer Scott Janess of inPLAY EVENTS.”

Guests can indulge their palates with impeccable wine varieties, and enjoy some of the area’s most exquisite food from local restaurants such as Café Calatrava, The Capital Grille, as well as a number of Marcus Restaurants including the Mason Street Grill, Milwaukee Chop House, and Kil@wat. There will also be an array of entertainment ranging from live music to cooking and wine seminars and demonstrations.

The Blue Moon Beer Garden, a festival within the festival, will appeal to the beer lovers with a selection of their quality beers.

A portion of the proceeds from the 2009 Milwaukee Wine Festival will be donated to Friends of Art, the primary volunteer support organization of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Friends of Art works to raise funds for art acquisitions and exhibition sponsorship and develops activities to foster an appreciation for visual art and to inspire volunteer leadership.

FESTIVAL DETAILS

The festival will take place Friday, Aug. 21 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 22 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Adult wine tasting tickets will be $30 at the door ($25 for Milwaukee Art Museum members) and $20 in advance when purchased by Aug. 20. Adult tickets include festival admission, a souvenir wine glass, 10 tasting tickets (a booklet for 10 additional tickets is $5), festival program, and access to all demonstrations, seminars and musical entertainment. Patrons under 21 receive free festival admission when accompanied by an adult.

Tickets can be purchased by calling (888) 210-0074, online at http://www.milwaukeewinefestival.com or at the festival entrance. Advanced tickets may also be purchased at the Milwaukee Art Museum store. The deadline for advance ticket sales via phone or online is Thursday, Aug. 20. All phone purchases must be made by 5 p.m. and online by 8 p.m that day. Tickets purchased after Aug.11 will be held at Will Call located at the festival entrance. All sales are final. The festival will take place rain or shine.

Groups of 15 or more can purchase tickets in advance for $17.50. The group ticket package includes all of the same benefits as the adult ticket yet saves festival goers $2.50 off the advance price and $12.50 off the door price.

Designated driver tickets are also available. For $10 (in advance or at the door), individuals will receive two non-alcoholic drinks, festival program, food and wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, musical entertainment and a souvenir wine glass upon departure.

This year’s festival features the following wine exhibitors: Black Box Wines, Trinchero Family Estates, Rebel Wine/Three Thieves, Stones Throw Winery, Michael David Winery, Gallo Family Vineyards, Hess Collection, PKNT, Cedar Creek Winery/Wollersheim, Winery, Winebow, Napa Ridge Winery, Antares Wine Company, Door Peninsula Winery, Prestige Wine Group, Redwood Creek Winery and Vine One. Additional wine exhibitors will be announced at a later date.

Participating restaurants include The Capital Grille, Mason Street Grill, Milwaukee ChopHouse, Kil@wat, Café Calatrava, Flatlander’s Restaurant & Brewery and Eddie Martini’s. A complete listing of restaurants will be announced closer to the event.

The Milwaukee Wine Festival is presented by Harris Bank. Sponsors include Fiji Artesian Water, Audi, Blue Moon Beer, Sendik’s Food Market Balistreri, Black Box Wines, AirTran, Emerald Nuts, Marcus Group, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 99.1 WYMX, 103.7 KISS FM and Milwaukee Magazine.

For more information about the 2009 Milwaukee Wine Festival, please visit http://www.milwaukeewinefestival.com.