For mothers and students with a craving for the fermented juice of vitis vinifera, there will be five wine-tasting events going on during Mom’s Weekend.

Winefest

The first event, Winefest, is organized and put on by the Sigma Iota School of Hospitality Business Management Organization.

Sigma Iota President Theodore Cobb said the event features several wineries from the Northwest that will give out samples of their wines. He said Winefest would also have wine glasses that the participants can take home, finger food and live music.

Cobb said the proceeds from ticket sales go toward funding Sigma Iota trips to hospitality conferences. This year, the money will be used for members to go to Chicago for a restaurant show in May.

Winefest will be today from 5 – 7 p.m. and from 8 – 10 p.m. Tickets cost $50 if pre-ordered online and $60 if bought at the door. Winefest will take place at the Marriott Foundation Teaching Center, which is in the Todd Hall Addition 268.

Rosés and Kisses for Mom Wine Tasting

The next event to take place will be the Brelsford WSU Visitor Center’s Rosés and Kisses for Mom Wine Tasting, happening from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Promotions and Marketing Coordinator Elizabeth McManus said the event will feature four one-ounce wine tastings per ticket and commemorative wine glasses while supplies last. The four alumni-connected wines at the tasting will be the Airfield Estates Rosé, the Bridge Press Cellars Rosé, the Goose Ridge Rosé de Pinot Gris and the Kiona Vineyards Rosé of Sangiovese, McManus said.

She said the goal of the tasting is to highlight WSU alumni who are actively contributing to the wine industry and to draw attention to the work done by the WSU Viticulture and Enology (V&E) program.

“Our hope,” McManus said, “is that people can come here and have fun and learn a little more about the research that goes on here at WSU and the tasty products that our alumni are creating.”

Rosés and Kisses will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the WSU Brelsford Visitor Center. Tasting tickets will be sold at the door for $5 and can be used as a $5 discount for most of the wines sold at the visiting center. Complimentary Hershey’s Kisses will also be available.

Taste of CAHNRS

Another event with goals to highlight WSU’s V&E program and the Washington wine industry is the Taste of CAHNRS (College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences).

V&E Club Vice President Alexis Torp said the event will feature wines and wineries from across the state as well as typical foods that go well with wine, such as sliced apples and various cheeses.

Torp said Taste of CAHNRS will differ from other wine tastings this weekend in that it will focus more on educating participants. Participants will be taught about wine growing regions of Washington and their relationship to the sensory aspect of the finished wines, as well as what flavors are found in one grape variety versus another.

“I think what sets us apart is that we are all V&E students who are really passionate about the academic and educational side of it,” Torp said.

Torp said the money from the tickets sold will go toward funding field trips and guest speakers for the V&E Club.

Taste of CAHNRS is organized and hosted by the V&E Club and is happening from 1:30 – 4 p.m. on Saturday. The event will also feature a silent auction and will be held at the Vogel Plant Sciences Atrium. Tickets can be purchased at the door for wine tasters and non-tasters. Tasting tickets cost $30, which includes a souvenir wine glass and 10 pours, and tickets for non-tasters cost $10.

Crimson & Chardonnay

The WSU Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA) are hosting Crimson & Chardonnay, which will feature four wineries as well as Whiskey Barrel Cider.

Carrie Neppels, Alumni Association strategic events manager, said Merry Cellars, Ellensburg Canyon Winery, Gardena Creek Winery, and Colter’s Creek Winery will all be poured at the event. The food will consist of various appetizers and desserts such as Swedish meatballs, deviled eggs with smoked salmon, macaroons and chocolate-dipped fruits. There will also be a silent auction, raffle and photo booth.

“It should be a pretty fun evening,” Neppels said.

Crimson & Chardonnay will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Lewis Alumni Center. All registrants who are 21 years old or older will receive a souvenir wine glass for the tastings. Tickets cost $40 but are now sold out. However, people can email SAA to be put on the waitlist.

Mom’s Weekend Wine Fest

Valhalla Bar and Grill’s annual Mom’s Weekend Wine Fest is another wine-tasting event put on this weekend.

Bartender Tashiara Payne said the event will feature 24 different wines from Washington, Oregon and California, as well as appetizers. Participants will also get a souvenir wine glass, and every mom who comes in will receive a rose.

Valhalla Bar and Grill’s Mom’s Weekend Wine Fest is from 5 – 7 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $39 and can be purchased over the phone or at the bar.