The Vineyard and Winery Technology Program at Yakima Valley College will host the 16th Annual Grape to Glass Gala — Scholarship Fundraiser on Saturday, May 17, at 6 p.m. The festive event raises funds for vineyard and winery technology student scholarships. Held at the YVC’s Kaminski Conference Center, 1704 W. Nob Hill Blvd. in Yakima, the event will include a dinner, beer and wine tasting, live music and a silent auction.
The winemaker’s dinner will include a gourmet meal prepared by The Lion Chef and a dessert auction by Scratch Bakery. This year’s event theme is “African Safari” and features a dinner paired with wines from YVC’s award-winning Yakima Valley Vintners as well as a happy hour with offerings created by alumni of YVC’s program working at Treveri Cellars, Wheel Line Cider and more. In collaboration with the YV-Tech Culinary Arts Program, YV-Tech students will assist the caterer with dinner service and YVC students will serve wine.
YVC student Luis A. Lopez Martinez said the support provided by this annual event goes beyond financial assistance.
“It is also a validation of my aspirations and a source of motivation as I’m finishing up my degree,” said Lopez Martinez. “This scholarship will allow me to dedicate myself fully to my academic and professional goals without the added stress of financial constraints.”
Yakima Valley Vintners produces 400-700 cases of wine per year. Its award-winning wines were first released during the 2008 Yakima Valley Spring Barrel Tasting. Produced by students of the Vineyard and Winery Technology Program, these wines have now garnered the most Platinum awards of any student-made wines in the state. Tasting rooms in Yakima and Grandview offer the public an opportunity to taste and purchase YVV wines.
Tickets for the Grape to Glass Gala are $110 per person or $600 for a table of six. Tickets are on sale online or at the Yakima Valley Vintners Tasting Rooms in Yakima and Grandview.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available to make a larger impact on the lives of students in the Vineyard & Winery Technology Program. For more information contact Tasting Room Coordinator Annette Wattenbarger at 509.574.4906 or at awattenbarger@yvcc.edu.