Tech To Host Weekend Wine Festival

By Keenan Armstrong
June 12, 2009

The New River Valley alumni chapter is hosting the Virginia Tech Wine Festival, Saturday June 13, at the Holtzman Alumni Center terrace adjacent to the Inn at Virginia Tech from 12 to 5 p.m.

"I think it's going to be a great event for the whole family. There's going to be music, food, and vendors. It's not just a wine tasting," said the chapter's President Elect Cindy Kelley.

Tickets are $25 and come with a commemorative tasting glass to sample from six wineries from around the region. Admission for 18 and over non-wine-tasting guests is $5. Attendees under 18 get in free.

Four vendors, including Due South BBQ and Sake House, will provide concessions. Sixteen local merchandise vendors will be selling specialty items such as jewelry and artwork. Local music artists Surrender Dorothy and Mood Swing will be providing live entertainment

Over 140,000 Virginia Tech Alumni were invited and advertising has been marketed to the mid-Atlantic public. Along with the large alumni base in the New River Valley, event coordinators are expecting a large turnout.      

The proceeds from the festival will go towards the chapter's scholarship fund.

"The chapter sponsors one scholarship for each of the high schools in the area," said Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Josh Burnheimer.

Student applicants for the scholarship submit an essay response to a thought-provoking question. Those awarded receive between $500 and $1,000.

The New River Valley alumni chapter hosts the annual NRV Golf Tournament and Breakfast with Santa event to raise scholarship funds. This is their first Wine Festival.

Over the past 14 the years, the chapter has assisted 150 incoming freshman from the New River Valley with over $114,000.

2006 scholarship recipient Morgan Cain recently graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and will be attending the festival.

"The scholarship helped me out a lot. I'm glad I can give a little back," Morgan said.