St. Louis Wine Festival September 27, 2008

St. Louis, MO….. September 27-28, 2008…..Going strong over the past couple of years, The St. Louis Wine Festival is back to tantalize your taste buds once again. Last year, over 6,000 people attended the festival held at Forest Park’s beautiful Grand Basin at the foot of Art Hill. This year, the creators of this festival, inPLAY EVENTS, expects to take the festival to an even higher level. The weekend festival will feature over 150 Missouri, domestic and international wines from more than 20 wine exhibitors, along with local area restaurants presenting selections from their menus. Once again, St. Louis’ finest local musical talent will be performing including: Kim Massie and Erin Bode. Judging from the level of last year’s attendance, it looks like this may be a great start to another golden St. Louis tradition.

Van Kampen Investments returns as the festival’s title sponsor and is committed to supporting the St. Louis Wine Festival through 2009. This high-end festival accomplishes the goal of taking the fear out of wine for the novice wine consumer and introducing new wine varieties to the experienced wine buyer while charging a nominal entrance fee.

Top St. Louis restaurants including Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar and Lucas Park Grille, among others, will make their best dishes available for purchase. The festival’s Seminar Stage, will feature a full working kitchen for “celebrity” chefs to demonstrate their culinary magic. The stage will also host wine seminars, presented by local and international experts. All of the wines featured at the festival will be available for purchase at a discount through the festival’s retail partner, Randall’s Wine and Spirits.

The festival will begin Saturday, September 27th (Noon-7pm) and Sunday, September 28th
(Noon-6pm). Tickets are $25 at the door for adults ($20 in advance), $10 for Designated Driver ($10 in advance). Group Ticket price of 15 people or more are $17.50 in advance. Patrons under 21 are free when accompanied by an adult. Adult tickets include a souvenir wine glass, 10 tasting tickets (a booklet for 10 additional tickets is $5), wine taster’s program guide and access to all demonstrations, seminars, musical entertainment and the opportunity purchase wine at discount. Tickets can be purchased at the festival entrance, by calling 888-210-0074 or online at www.stlouiswinefestival.com

The St. Louis Wine Festival presented by Van Kampen Investments is pleased to be working with its not-for-profit partner, The Flora Conservancy of Forest Park, which plays a key role in providing volunteers to assist in the operations at the festival. A portion of the festival proceeds will again be donated to the Flora Conservancy.

The Flora Conservancy is an organization made up of volunteers who love Forest Park and are interested in helping the city’s Parks Department rejuvenate, install and maintain garden beds in the park. The Flora Conservancy is currently maintaining 56% of the priority areas, which equates to a $500,000 contribution. For more information on the Flora Conservancy please call the Parks Department at 289-5300.

The St. Louis Wine Festival is produced and managed by inPLAY EVENTS. inPLAY EVENTS is a corporate events and marketing consulting company specializing in event creation and production, sponsorship analysis, sales and marketing, public relations, corporate hospitality management and athlete representation. inPLAY EVENTS produces wine festivals in Chicago, Cleveland and Naperville, Illinois and is known by its clients and sponsors for consistent quality and exceptional creativity in production, attention to detail and outstanding service.

Official Website: http://www.stlouiswinefestival.com/