The Vineyard and Winery Technology Program at Yakima Valley College will host the 13th Annual Grape to Glass Gala—A Winemaker’s Dinner on Saturday, May 21, at 6 p.m. The event will benefit vineyard and winery technology student scholarships. Held at the Yakima Valley College 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 four-course meal prepared by Bon Vinos. This year’s event highlights the “Rising Stars” in the local wine industry and includes pairing dinner with wines from YVC’s Yakima Valley Vintners but also featuring beers and wines produced by alumni of the program. In collaboration with YV-Tech Culinary Arts Program, students will assist the caterer with dinner service.
Student Lorenzo Sanchez said the support provided by this annual event is essential to helping students like him complete their degrees and succeed in Washington’s wine industry. He noted the scholarship money has helped eased the financial burden on him and his family.
“I am honored to be a recipient of the vineyard and technology scholarship,” Sanchez said. “I will make sure I use that money wisely to continue to help my childhood dream of graduating college.”
Yakima Valley Vintners produces 400-700 cases of wine annually and its student-crafted wines have garnered more than 185 awards over the last 13 vintages, most recently won six awards at the 21st Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Competition ranging in gold, double gold and platinum medals.
Tickets for the Grape to Glass Gala are $85 per person for the general public ($75 if purchased before May 3), $75 for Yakima Valley Vintners Wine Club Members and $500 for a table of six. Tickets are on sale online or at the Yakima Valley Vintners Yakima Tasting Room.