Harris Presents the 2008 Milwaukee Wine Festival

Milwaukee, WI, June 24, 2008—To be held Aug. 22-23 on the grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Wine Festival, LLC introduces the inaugural 2008 Milwaukee Wine Festival presented by Harris. The two-day, outdoor event will provide festival goers with an opportunity to sample more than 150 fine wines from around the globe, in a relaxed setting along the shore of Lake Michigan, with a beautiful view of the Milwaukee Art Museum addition designed by Santiago Calatrava.

Media Contact:
Holly Jensky
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hjensky@hyc.com

Not only can guests indulge their palates with impeccable wine varieties, they can also treat themselves to some of the area’s most exquisite food from fine local restaurants, including Sanford Restaurant, Harlequin Bakery and The Capitol Grille. The Potawatomi Bingo and Casino Main Stage will feature live music, hosting some of the Midwest’s finest jazz and rock groups, including Erin Bode and the Michael Heaton Band, throughout the festival. In addition, acclaimed Milwaukee chefs, including Sanford D’Amato of Sanford Restaurant and Jason Gorman of Dream Dance, along with experts from local restaurants, event sponsors and exhibiting wineries will hold interactive cooking demonstrations and wine seminars for those interested in expanding their knowledge about the rules of wine tasting and the art of pairing food with wine.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to expand our wine festivals into the inviting and thriving area of Milwaukee’s East side,” said Chad Tennant of Milwaukee Wine Festival, LLC. “The Milwaukee Wine Festival is not only a great opportunity for the wine connoisseur to discover this year’s finest new and exciting blends, but it’s also the perfect place for newcomers to the world of wine to learn the basics from experts in a fun, relaxed setting.”

FESTIVAL DETAILS
The festival will take place Friday, Aug. 22 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 23 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. 21. 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, and at the Milwaukee Art Museum Store or the festival entrance. The deadline for advance ticket sales via phone or online will be Thursday, Aug. 21. All phone purchases must be made by 5 p.m. and online by 8 p.m. that day. Tickets purchased after Aug.13 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.

A portion of the proceeds from the 2008 Milwaukee Wine Festival will be donated to Friends of Art, the Milwaukee Art Museum’s primary volunteer support organization. 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.

This year’s festival will include the following wine exhibitors: Trinchero Family Estates, Palm Bay Imports, Rebel Wine/Three Thieves, Weinbauer, Stones Throw Winery, von Stiehl Winery, Neuburg Distributing, Michael – David Winery, Gallo Family Vineyards, Hess Collection, PKNT, Cedar Creek Winery/Wollersheim Winery, Billington Wines, Three Loose Screws Wine Company, Napa Ridge Winery, Door Peninsula Winery, Prestige Wine Group, Redwood Winery and Constellation/Vine One. Additional wine exhibitors will be announced at a later date.

Participating restaurants thus far include The Capital Grille, Mason Street Grill, Milwaukee ChopHouse, Kil@Wat, Sanford Restaurant, Café Calatrava and Harlequin Bakery. A complete listing of restaurants will be announced closer to the event.

The Milwaukee Wine Festival is presented by Harris. Sponsors include Fiji Natural Artesian Water, Cadillac, Sendik’s Food Market, Emerald Nuts, Potawatomi Bingo & Casino, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, AirTran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 99.1 WYMX, 103.7 KISS FM and Milwaukee Magazine.

For more information about the 2008 Milwaukee Wine Festival please visit, http://www.milwaukeewinefestival.com/

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