This year, the 8th Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival in Des Moines, has added a new feature to its' already robust schedule of activities. Not only will participants have the opportunity to enjoy tasting wine from 25 Washington State premier wineries, sample northwest cuisine from 8 different food merchants, and enjoy live entertainment from 5 local bands, they can also learn about the wines they love. Wine classes are now being offered and will be available each day of the event starting at 5:30 pm on Friday, March 2nd.
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Drew Tekell
Sommelier at The Scotch & Vine |
<><> The wine classes will be taught by Drew Tekell who is the Sommelier from Des Moines's very own Scotch & Vine Restaurant. Drew has been with Scotch & Vine since its grand opening in June 2011. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, AZ in 2003 with a degree in Culinary Arts, he moved to the Seattle area in January of 2009. With 15 years hospitality experience in all aspects of the restaurant industry, Drew also has received the level 1 sommelier certificate in 2007 and is BarSmarts certified. Since joining The Scotch & Vine, he has been working on developing the wine and spirits programs, as well as teaching wine classes in the restaurant. In a interview with Drew, he stated, "I absolutely love wine, food, and all that they have to offer. I am thankful that I can use this knowledge to help educate and further other people's understanding of what I love so much".
The classes at the wine festival will cover a large variety of wines from different regions. They will also cover some of the fundamental topics such as proper holding and storing techniques for various AVAs/Appellations/Varietals; pairing tips for wines; tasting notes and how to differentiate flavors in wine & how they are made.
So if you are already somewhat of an wine connoisseur and just want to increase your knowledge base or if you are just a beginner, you are sure to find a class that suit your needs. We hope you will come enjoy the wine and stop by to see Drew at Poverty Bay Wine Festival on March 2-4 at the Landmark Event Center in Des Moines.
For more information about the Poverty Bay Wine Festival or to purchase tickets, please visit www.dmrotary.org .
 What would you do with $1,000.00 worth of wine? Hold a neighborhood block party, add select vintages to your personal wine cellar or perhaps host your very own wine tasting event? At the 8th Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival on March 2-4 at the Landmark Event Center, you now have a chance to find out.
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| Stephanie Porter |
The Rotary Club of Des Moines is pleased to have acclaimed jazz singer, Stephanie Porter, perform at the 8th Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival. Porter, a Seattle native, is a naturally-gifted vocalist, who has had a passion for music her whole life.
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| Performance at Jazz Bones |
“It’s in my inner fabric,” said Porter. “Most of my childhood memories are associated with music in some way.” When she was a baby, Porter’s father made her a reel-to-reel tape of “The Wizard of Oz,” which she listened to almost every night for years. Her mother, who has always loved Ella Fitzgerald, would pick Porter up and dance with her on her hip to Ella records. “I think listening to the freedom of Ella’s voice soaring over melodies inspired me and helped open my mind at a young age,” said Porter. “We had stacks of records too. I would listen to album after album and heard so many renditions of songs. I didn’t have a favorite. I loved hearing all the expressions each artist had. I listened to them all.” Porter was brought up in a house rich with music. Her family is filled with musicians – from vocalists to pianists to horn players. Her grandfather, Pietro Carrabba, performed in bands at the first-ever world’s fair. He played in theaters and was a well-respected teacher. He passed his gift on to three of his children.
Over the years, she has performed at numerous festivals and special events. She has also headlined at high-profile galas for such organizations as the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. In addition to the Northwest, she has performed in venues across the country, as well as Canada, France and England.
Porter will perform on Sunday, March 4th from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at the Landmark Event Center in Des Moines.
The complete entertainment line up can be found on http://www.dmrotary.org/winefestival.php
Tickets for the Poverty Bay Wine Festival are on sale now - $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door. To purchase tickets please visit www.dmrotary.org
When you come to the 8th Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival, make sure you come with an empty stomach! Not only do we have 25 wineries and two breweries at the festival, we also have eight food merchants who are offering delectable Northwest cuisine and desserts.
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| The Roving Pizzaioli |
New to the festival this year, but certainly not new to pizza fans at the Des Moines Farmers Market, is Roving Pizzaioli. Roving Pizzaioli is a mobile wood fired pizza company based out of Normandy Park. It's easy to spot the Roving Pizzaioli because of their very distinctive copper wood fire oven, which is set on wheels. Co-owners, Marshall Hansen and Walter Smith, along with their team create all kinds of pies, but their specialty is NY style pizza by the slice. At the festival, they will be on hand all three days making warm yummy cheesy goodness, which (we might add) pairs quite nicely with a glass of wine.
 Another new offering at the festival is the Poverty Bay Bistro, which will be operated by Rotarian Vince Koester, owner of Koester Landscape Management. Those who know Vince, know that his true passion is cooking. Vince can make a mean burger and is always on the lookout for the perfect burger! Some of the menu choices at the Poverty Bay Bistro will be grilled chicken cesar salad, poached wild salmon, beef stroganoff, and (of course!) a mean cheeseburger. Proceeds from the restaurant will go to fund the charitable projects of the Rotary Club of Des Moines.
Other food merchants available at the wine festival include: For more information about the Poverty Bay Wine Festival or to purchase tickets, please visit www.dmrotary.org.
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