Wine festival scores big at Heinz Field
The only thing missing was the fireworks.
There were plenty of sparklers, however, flanked by chenin blancs and chardonnays, shiraz and cabernets, and ports and late-harvest ice wines that caressed the tongue like nectar.
The sold-out 2005 Pittsburgh Wine Festival Thursday night at Heinz Field attracted more than 2,000 people who toasted, tasted and savored vintages from more than 150 wineries from around the world.
In its third year, the festival has expanded to include four days of seminars, tastings and wine dinners. This year, a final tasting will be held Saturday with a live jazz concert to raise money for the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild.
Today's activities are three wine seminars and dinners at 11 area restaurants. The seminars and jazz concert are sold out.
The bright afternoon streaming through the stadium's windows along the East and West Club Lounges yesterday gave patrons the perfect light to admire wines from California to Pennsylvania, France to Italy, Argentina to Chile, New Zealand to Australia, and dozens of points in between.
"It's our third sellout here," said Ed Harrell, president of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, which presents the festival in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. "Pittsburgh is obviously a wonderful wine town. ...If Bacchus had a wine cellar, this would be it."
One man attending the VIP tasting, which cost $250 a person, barely got in the door before snapping up some of the bargains in a makeshift wine shop set up by the PLCB. Only half an hour into the event, and he already had bought a case of wine. The only problem was that he hadn't brought a car.
Enjoying their second year at the tasting were Dr. Bill Kennen, an orthopedic surgeon, and his wife, Michelle, from Greensburg, Westmoreland County.
"It's incredible," said Bill Kennen. "We went for a week to visit Napa, and we could go to maybe 11 or 12 wineries. But here, you can taste multiple things. It's a blessing -- plus you can buy them here, too."
The Kennens were with friends Amy and David Master of Mars. "One of the most exciting things last year was that Tim Mondavi (of Robert Mondavi Winery) was here," David Master said. "He signed bottles for us. To think that a Mondavi came to Pittsburgh! We are new to the city -- about six years -- and you can see (the city) growing, the excitement."
He looked around the East Lounge as patrons lined up for pours. "These tickets are very expensive -- and we are jam-packed."
The four said they will be at The Carlton restaurant tonight at One Mellon Bank Center for a dinner/tasting featuring selections from Castello Banfi.
They can thank Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Chairman Jonathan H. Newman for making many of their favorite vintages widely available.
Newman, who took over the reins at the board three years ago, took a state system viewed by many as a dinosaur and turned it into a plus, promoting Pennsylvania as a market to be tapped.
"My goal was to make Pennsylvania a wine-friendly state. And creating three festivals to showcase excellent world-class wine has allowed us to trade up our consumers and show Pennsylvania has great wines at great prices," Newman said, as he chatted with the winemakers who took over Heinz Field's East and West Club Lounges for Thursday night's VIP and grand tastings.
"Pittsburgh has the most excitement and is the sexiest of the three wine festivals," he added. The others are in Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
Newman brought high-end wines to Pennsylvania at moderate prices by talking to vineyards and buying full lots and late releases. A result: Rather than Pennsylvanians crossing borders to buy wine, people from other states are making purchases here, Newman said, relating the tale of a California man who found his favorite $60 a bottle Napa Valley wine in Pennsylvania for $30.
The sea of wines at Heinz Field, just part of the fruit of his efforts, dazzled ticketholders.
A group of employees from Mylan Laboratories gathered to discuss what to taste next. Patricia Sunseri, senior vice president and a member of the board of directors, was enthusiastic. She had brought her cousin, a fan of port, and a friend -- Dolores Belich, of West Mifflin -- who was delighted at the array of cabernets.
"This is fantastic, a great affair," Sunseri said, adding that she also was seeing many business associates. Mylan's chief financial officers, Ed Borkowski, and his wife were lost somewhere in the crowd, "and they brought two other people."
Steve and Lisa Abramovitz, of Shadyside, returned to Heinz Field Thursday for their third festival.
"It's an excellent opportunity to try something new and to taste before you buy," Steve Abramovitz said.
"It's such a beautiful event," his wife added. "We always end up bringing bottles home,"
