Reggae, food trucks on Bella Terra Vineyards groundbreaking party menu

Wineries are known for hosting parties and celebrations of all kinds, from birthdays to anniversaries to bridal showers.

So as Bella Terra Vineyards prepares to construct a new building at its site in Hunker, it seems only natural to throw a groundbreaking party.

Bella Terra is inviting patrons to celebrate with a “Taco Reggae Jam” on Sunday.

The 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 7 event will include Wizdom World Beat Reggae Band from 2-6 p.m., multiple food trucks and drink specials all day.

“Construction on the building starts the week of Oct. 8, so this will be the last event on the event lawn as you know it,” reads a post on the vineyard’s Facebook site.

Owners Jay and Joanna Bell opened the vineyard at 121 Sunny Lane two years ago.

It’s become a popular addition to the area’s roster of wineries, with evening and weekend food, entertainment and drink specials drawing crowds to the lakeside lawn.

The Bells’ intention always was to construct an event space, Joanna Bell stated shortly after opening.

The one-story site is expected to accommodate about 150, Jay Bell says. “It will have a rustic, industrial look, with concrete floors.” A 20-foot barn door will lead to the event space and winery, with the winery separated by an oak barrel wall, he says.

Visitors will be able to look through the wall and see the production space, Bell adds.

The increased space will enable the owners to increase production and offer different wines, he says. It also will expand the size of the tasting room.

The likely plan is to expand from the current Thursday through Sunday hours of operation to seven days a week, he says.

“We will still have events through October. People can see the construction going on,” he adds.

Construction is expected to be complete in May.

Details: facebook.com

Mary Pickels is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Mary at 724-836-5401, mpickels@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MaryPickels.