On Saturday evening, August 17, 2013, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. the Vine 2 Wine Classic returns to the original Wine Classic venue: California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita.  The event benefits local non-profit, Circle of Hope, in serving the needs of women in our community with breast cancer.

“We are looking forward to a fabulous event, bigger and better than last year,” commented Circle of Hope Director Ray Tippet.  “The rebirth of the amazing Wine Classic, with the addition of the Moe Hafizi Beer Garden. And, we anticipate a sellout crowd of at least 750 people, so, we urge everyone who loves wine or beer, delicious food, live music, and a very enjoyable Saturday night out, to get your tickets online and come to the Vine 2 Wine Classic. It’s also our most important fundraiser for our community. You’ll love the event.”

Tickets are $75 in advance and $95 at the door, and are currently available at www.vine2wineclassic.com. At press time, this is the list of participating wineries, library wine donors, breweries, restaurants, etc.:

Wine Tables

Agua Dulce Winery, Arcadian Winery, B & P Winery, Coruce Vineyards, Estrella Creek Winery, Fratelli Perata Winery, Francis Coppola Winery, Freixenet USA / Gloria Ferrer/ Segura Viudas, Golden Star Vineyards, Harmony Cellars, International Wines, Kenneth Volk Vineyards, Jalama Wines, Joseph Blair Wines, Louis M. Martini Winery, J Lohr Vineyards and Wines, Navarro Vineyards, Niven Family Estates, Non-Alcoholic Beverage Table, Nuggucciet Cellars, Opolo Vineyards, Pear Valley Winery, Pedroncelli Winery, Pisoni Vineyards and LucyWines, Pulchella Winery, Quady Winery, Red Wines of the World, Reyes Winery, Rio Secco Winery, Sort This Out Cellars, Sparkling Wines of the World, Stanger Vineyards, Sunrise Spirits & Food Co., TOG (The Other Guys), Tolo Cellars, Topline Wine Company, Toulouse Vineyards, Treasury Wine Estates, Beringer Winery, Chateau St. Jean, Penfolds, Vines on the Marycrest, Wente Vineyards, White Wines of the World, Woodland Hills Wine Company, and Young’s Market The Estates Group.

Library Wines (A selection of rare, older collectibles and other enjoyable wines donated and poured by the following friends of the Circle of Hope, from their personal wine cellars) Chris and Jeannie Carpenter, Roger and Gwen Gertz, Les Hershberger and Mamie Wong, Jeff, Joan, Julie and Jeremy Jacobson, and Lee’s Wine Bar.

Donated Wines

1853 Withwam’s King Pedro V Reserve Port (tasting with additional donation) and 2012Lucy Rose of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. A bottle of Lucy will be given by the winery to everyone in attendance, as they exit the venue and head home.  Circle of Hope wishes to thank the Pisoni family, LucyWines for their generous contribution to the cause, and to all in attendance.

The Moe Hafizi Beer Garden

At least a dozen Craft Ales and Lagers, including the following: Fireman’s Brew’s Blonde, Pilsner Style Lager, Brunette, German Doublebock, Redhead, Red Amber Ale; Newhall Refinery’s Ale Smith IPA and Eagle Rock Manifesto Witbier (white ale); a selection from Wolf Creek Brew Pub; and, additional Craft Brews in process of being selected.

Food Vendors, Past and Present

Bottle Babes, 1 Heart Pies, Starbucks, M&W Gourmet Foods, Hidden Havana Cuban Café, Salt Creek Grille Catering, Blooming Bakery, Cake Goodness, Jasmine Thai Restaurant, Kokolita Cakes, Le Mae’s Fine Cuisine Catering, Lima y Limon Peruvian Restaurant, Marston’s Restaurant, Nana’s Banana Bread, Oil & Vinegar Valencia, Pacific Coast Honey, Persia Restaurant, PK Chocolates, Spumoni Italian Café, Stonefire Grill, Toffee Dejour, Tournament Players Club, Kona Bar and Wildflour Bakery.

Past Participants (Look for them again!)

Wine: Antelope Valley Winery, Constellation Brands, Kim Crawford, Wildhorse Winery, Les Deux Chats Cellars, Donati Family Vineyard, Fess Parker Vineyard & Winery, Jackhammer Winery, Meola Vineyards, A Transat Trade Table, Old Creek Ranch Winery, Prestige Wine Imports, Vino V Wines and Whitcraft Winery.  Brews: Anheuser-Busch, Stella Artois, Pale Lager, Belgium; Shock Top, Belgian White, Belgian-style Wheat Ale; Hopdazed Imperial IPA; Howlin’ Hefeweizen; Allagash White Ale, Belgian-style White Ale; Anderson Valley Boont Amber Ale; Estrella Damm Pale Lager, Spain; Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat; Mission Dark Seas Porter; North Coast Acme Pale Ale and Unita HooDoo Kölsch, Golden Ale.

More Information From Circle of Hope

Now named the Vine 2 Wine Classic, and in its 12th year, this blockbuster of an event combines the highlights from the previous Vine 2 Wine, which had been sponsored for nine years by the Betty Ferguson Foundation, and the Santa Clarita Valley Wine Classic, which, for 20 years, had been sponsored by College of the Canyons and attracted more than 50 wineries and 750 people.

Last year’s Vine 2 Wine Classic featured unlimited tastings of several hundred upscale wines poured by dozens of outstanding wineries and by donors of fabulous and rare, older, “library wines” from their personal cellars, at more than 40 tables. Our beer garden featured unlimited tastes of almost a dozen craft brews, and everyone enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner, confections provided by local merchants, and live music, all for the single price of admission.

We anticipate a sell-out crowd of 750 people (we attracted a crowd of more than 600 last year), as the event returns to CalArts – the location of the former SCV Wine Classic. This year, in addition to live music, there will be a silent auction of current and older vintages of fabulous wines, and much, much more. www.vine2wineclassic.com