Three new vintages of Italian varietals – among the most popular of Fresno State’s award-winning student-produced wines – will be showcased at Vino Italiano! Thursday, April 19, at California State University, Fresno.

The annual spring event, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Fresno State Winery (2360 E. Barstow Ave.), is presented by the winery, the Enology Society and the Viticulture and Enology Department.

The Fresno State Winery will debut its 2006 San Joaquin County Pinot Gris (popularly known as Pinot Grigio), 2006 Muscat Canelli and 2005 Sangiovese. Also featured will be the award-winning Italian varietal blend Eclipse², the newest vintage of award-winning Barbera, as well as last year’s summer favorite, Solstice.

Vino Italiano! provides the local community an opportunity to taste the new wines in advance of public release.

“This event highlights another aspect of the hands-on education we give our students in teaching them about making good, true-to-style Italian wines,” said winemaker John Giannini.

The public is invited to the event. Admission is $10 per person, with a $5 discount available to Fresno State Wine Club members, faculty, staff, students and Alumni Association members.

Admission is payable at the door by cash or check. Individuals must be 21 years old or older to attend. Information: Jessup Wiley, winery marketing manager, 559.278.4867 or jwiley@csufresno.edu.

BACKGROUND

Fresno State Vineyards is the first university winery in the United States with a license to produce and sell wine commercially (1997).  Under the direction of the university’s winemaster and winemaker, students produce numerous varieties, many of which have received prestigious awards at international and national wine competitions. Fresno State Wines can be purchased at the Fresno State Farm Market, several retail outlets and at local restaurants. Details: visit www.FresnoStateWinery.com. Proceeds from sales benefit College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology programs.

The Enology Society is an organization independent of the university for individuals with an interest in the sensory evaluation of wine. Many upper-level enology students and people on and off campus join the society each semester. The society hosts weekly educational wine tastings, evaluating a different wine each week during the fall and meeting in the spring with guest winemakers to talk about processes used to produce wines being tasted. The Enology Society also provides support to the student Enology Club, Fresno State Winery and Department of Viticulture and Enology activities, such as co-sponsorship of events like Le Vin Nouveau each November and Vino Italiano in the spring.  Membership is $60 per semester or $8 per tasting.