Wine enthusiasts enjoyed several new wines at the Fresno State Winery’s Flavor of the Fall Wine Tasting event on Saturday afternoon.
The Fresno State Winery started hosting the event 10 years ago. This year, the event featured four newly-released wines. They included the 2015 Pinot Noir, the 2015 classic Chardonnay, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2012 Saviez Syrah. The event also featured pumpkin painting for children.
Fresno State Winery marketing director Kevin Smith said the event benefits the wine tasting community in Fresno and allows them to sample upcoming wines.
“Wine lovers really enjoy being able to taste new releases,” Smith said. “There are a lot of wine enthusiasts in Fresno. If it weren’t for the Fresno State winery and other wineries in the county, they would have to travel to places like Napa to go to a nice winery.”
Smith said the event costs $400 to $500 to host. The revenue earned from the event will go to the College of Agriculture’s general budget. Some of the revenue will help fund research programs for the winery, Smith said.
Most of the wines featured at the event were created by Fresno State winemaker Matt Brain. Brain joined the Fresno State Winery in June of 2015.
Around 80 to 150 usually attend Flavor of the Fall, Smith said. The winery also hosts a similar wine tasting event during the spring.
Fresno State Winery club members were invited to pick up their wine shipments during the event and voted for their favorite of the four newly featured blends. The winning blend will be released to the wine club in 2017. Winery club members also received a 10 percent discount off of featured bottles.
Fresno State Enology students from Smith’s marketing class worked the tasting booths during the event. Enology student Ryan Miller said one of the most popular bottles was the newly featured Pinot Noir.
“It has a fruitiness to it, but it still has a good balance of acidity,” Miller said.
Smith said he enjoys seeing the community come together to enjoy new blends of wine.
“I love seeing the wine club members and our repeat guests chatting and connecting,” Smith said. “Having a glass of wine in your hand brings people together.”
