Volunteer Wally McClure serves wine from the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery during the 2001 Capitol Food and Wine Festival at Saint Martin's College.

Sip and socialize at Food and Wine Fest

ROSS RAIHALA, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, March 22, 2002

LACEY -- It's time to eat, drink and be merry.

That's the idea behind the 13th annual Capital Food and Wine Festival. The event will fill Saint Martin's College Pavilion and Worthington Center with regional wines, locally made beer, food galore and live bands from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday.

"It's a great opportunity to taste wine without having to buy the whole bottle," said festival administrator Betty Boren. "But people say most often that they enjoy seeing people they haven't seen all year. It really is a very social event."

Two stages of live music help up the entertainment factor. Featured acts include Little Big Man, Jonathan Harris, Ryan Taylor, Dax Johnson, Jeanette Alexander,

Jr. Cadillac and Jay "Bird" Koder and the All Stars.

Festival-goers will have the opportunity to taste a wide variety of wines, from budget to top-shelf prices. Ten bucks, or $8 in advance, will get you in the door.

Wine-tasting tickets, available in $1 increments, will allow patrons to sample super-premium wines without committing to a super-premium price.

"We do have more premium wine this year, too," said Terry Massoth, chairman of the wine committee. "We've been buying the wine a year, maybe two years ahead of time to make sure we've got some good selections."

The Northwest wineries that will be represented include Quilceda Creek, Wineglass, Kestrel, Apex, McCrea, Witness Tree and Mountain Dome.

Massoth said the event will benefit both wine experts and novices. "The 27 wineries that will be there will have the wine maker or someone there just to answer questions. And they're anxious to talk to people about all the little details of making wine."

The festival is the largest fund-raiser of the year for the Saint Martin's Alumni Association. Proceeds benefit the school's student scholarship fund.

Ross Raihala covers entertainment for The Olympian and can be reached at 360-754-5406 or rraihala@olympia.gannett.com.

Capital Food and Wine Festival

- What: An alumni fund-raiser that includes samples from regional vintners, microbreweries and restaurants.

- When: Noon-10 p.m. March 23.

- Where: Saint Martin's Pavilion and Norman Worthington Conference Center, 5300 Pacific Ave. S.E., Lacey.

- Tickets: Advance tickets are $8 and are available at Ralph's and Bayview Thriftway, all Twin County Credit Union branches, The Wine Loft, The Washington Wine Warehouse, Giverny and Saint Martin's Pavilion. Admission will be $10 at the door. Tickets are for admission only. Scrip tickets are available the day of the event for food, wine and beer.

- For information: Call 360-438-4366.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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