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Grapevine's 9th Annual New Vintage Wine Festival is set for April 18-22, 2001, with a great lineup of food, art, new activities to enjoy - and of course, Texas' finest new vintage wines!

Festivities begin on Wednesday afternoon, April 18, when Grapevine will celebrate one of its favorite traditions - the Blessing of the Vines. If you have not seen this ceremony before, plan now to witness the festivities at 4:30 p.m. at Delaney Vineyards as Father Ken leads the ceremony for a bountiful harvest.

Later Wednesday evening, enjoy Winemakers' Dinners offered at Grapevine's fine restaurants. The fare will be memorable and exciting, and dining participants will have the opportunity to discuss the attributes of the wines with the experts themselves—the winemakers!

Thursday evening's fun will focus on the Grapevine Convention Center when the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce presents the Great Taste of Grapevine. There will be more food than you can eat from Grapevine's finest restaurants and great Texas wines to highlight the presentations!

The Park Place Jazz Wine Train leaves the Grapevine Cotton Belt Depot at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 20. An evening of fun, wine and dining is in store for all who take the Tarantula Train to Fort Worth and back on this special run. Seating will be limited. Outstanding food and wine will be served on the way to the Fort Worth Stockyards; great desserts and dessert wines will be served on the return trip to Grapevine!

Saturday fun begins with a heart-healthy run. Join in Grapevine's first CAREfest Run at 9 a.m. on the 21st. The run will promote heart health awareness; participants will receive t-shirts and free New Vintage festival admission.

Always a sellout, the Food and Wine Pairings Lunch is scheduled for Saturday at Noon the Grapevine Convention Center. Enjoy great gourmet cuisine and Grapevine wines with commentary by a professional chef.

Festival fun begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday at the Grapevine Heritage Center, 701 South Main. Enjoy the first tastes of Texas' new vintages plus international wines, great food and fine art. Set aside a weekend to learn more about Texas wines in a relaxed atmosphere of pleasant art, light music and friendly folks! The festival closes at 6 p.m. each day.

On Saturday evening, the excitement continues with a night of Austrian cuisine and culture at the Hyatt Regency DFW West Tower. This new black-tie dining gala—focusing on Grapevine's Sister City relationship with Krems, Austria—will feature the chefs, wines, music and dance of the Old World. Thinking about a trip abroad? This is the place to start! "Like an 'international' Texas Wine Tribute dinner!"

For details and prices for each New Vintage Wine Festival event, please contact the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 817-410-3185 or check the official website.

Edited by Cynthia Ward Cooper

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