November 13, 2007

Le Vin Nouveau, the Fresno State Winery’s annual tribute to a French fall wine tradition, will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at California State University, Fresno. A new feature this year is commemorative wine glasses and plates branded with the winery logo for participants.

The $15 admission also includes three tastes of wine, hors d’oeuvres and a cooking demonstration by Fredrick Clabaugh, executive chef of the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. In addition, special discounts on wine purchases will be available to event-goers.

The student-staffed winery, the first bonded commercial winery to operate on a university campus in the nation, is one of only a handful of wineries outside France to produce Nouveau-style wines, said Kenneth Fugelsang, winemaster and professor of enology at Fresno State

Those attending the event will be the first to sample three Fresno State Winery Nouveau wines, the first wines of the 2007 vintage.

“These wines are some of the most interesting wines we make,” Fugelsang said. “We produce these wines in less than eight weeks when most wines take 12 months or more. Even better is the fact that these wines pair perfectly with many holiday entrees.”

The event, which will highlight the history of Nouveau wines and information about the different styles used to make each wine is hosted by Fresno State Winery employees, members of the Enology Society, and faculty and staff from the Department of Viticulture and Enology.

Representatives from the Tenaya Lodge also will be available to give a sneak peek at the nationally-recognized Fresno State Winemaster’s Weekend. It will held at the resort Feb. 29 and March 1, 2008.

A drawing for a two-night reservation package for the Winemaster’s Weekend, which showcases Fresno State wine and other agriculture products, also will be featured at Le Vin Nouveau.

Reservation packages for the Le Vin Nouveau is open to the public. Guests must be at least 21 years old to attend. (No children allowed.) For more information, call 559.278.4867.