Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Third Annual Chicago Botanic Garden Wine Festival
Kicks Off Summer

Chicago Botanic Garden, June 6 – 7

 

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213, direct
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (April 30, 2009) — Celebrate summer with a weekend of wine tasting, food pairings and spectacular garden vistas. The Third Annual Chicago Botanic Garden Wine Festival allows novices and experienced oenophiles to develop their palates with seminars and demonstrations conducted by event sponsors, exhibiting wineries, Chicago area chefs, restaurateurs and specialty food shops.

Wine Festival hours are from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 6 and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 7. The Chicago Botanic Garden also kicks off its summer hours on June 6, staying open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through September 7 to allow visitors to enjoy beautiful sunsets over tranquil lakes and landscapes transformed by dramatic evening lighting.

Staged on the West Meadow behind Evening Island, the Wine Festival grounds are surrounded by lakes and garden vistas. More than 40 wineries, distributors and importers will offer samples of more than 250 wines from around the world. To complement the wide variety of wines that can be sampled, a selection of Chicago area chefs will conduct cooking demonstrations on the main stage. Wine experts will present seminars about the fine art of pairing food with wine. A musical stage will feature jazz, blues and light rock performances. Food from local restaurants and wine and beer by the glass will be available for purchase.

Tickets are $25 in advance; $28 at the door for Garden members; $30 at the door for nonmembers. Tickets include a souvenir wine glass, 10 tasting tickets, wine tasters' program guide and access to all demonstrations, seminars and musical entertainment. Designated drivers are admitted for $10, including two non-alcoholic drink tickets, program guide and access to all demonstrations, seminars and musical entertainment. Visitors under 21 are admitted free, when accompanied by an adult. Additional tasting tickets, 10 for $5, can be purchased onsite.

Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Chicago Botanic Garden Trolley will operate between the Garden and the Glencoe Metra station during event hours. Roundtrip tickets are $2; Garden members and children 5 and under ride free.

The Chicago Botanic Garden Wine Festival is presented by Harris, and is produced by inPLAY Events of Barrington, Ill., in joint effort with the Chicago Botanic Garden. For more information about the Wine Festival or to purchase tickets, call (847) 835-5440 or (847) 382-1480 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/winefestival.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. A program of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest is an organic vegetable and plant production enterprise that provides instruction in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture to residents of Chicago’s North Lawndale and West Side neighborhoods.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The Chicago Botanic Garden is also host to Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S., and a member of the Center for Plant Conservation. In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.