Drink and dine to assist students at UNLVino

6829586-0-4

If you are looking for a good wine pairing, try helping struggling college students while enjoying a fine glass of red.

All proceeds from the 38th annual UNLVino Wine Festival, planned from Thursday through Saturday, will go to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration scholarship fund.

The first event, Bubble-Licious, is scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave. It will feature champagnes, sparkling wines and exotic cocktails. Food will be available from Red Velvet Café and Spiedini Ristorante. Tickets are $100 in advance and $125 at the door.

The second tasting event, Sake Fever, is scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at The Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Exotic sakes, cocktails and craft beers will be available with accompanying cuisine from Japonais and FIN. Tickets are $60 in advance and $85 at the door.

The final tasting is scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Bally’s, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd. South. More than 1,000 international wines, cocktails and specialty beers will be available.

The Dom Perignon Award of Excellence will be presented to a hospitality figure each night, including Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, Excalibur and Luxor President Rene West and celebrity chef Michel Richard.

The event is made possible by donations from local businesses and the work of hundreds of student volunteers.

Last year’s events raised $120,000 for student scholarships, said UNLVino management course instructor Mohsen Azizsoltani.

"We’re not only educating our own students with this event, we’re educating the public," Azizsoltani said. "They can choose their wines when they go out and be more selective and learn to differentiate."

About 30 students in Azizsoltani’s class are responsible for putting on the event every year.

Senior Stephanie Fulkerson, who majors in culinary arts management, is one of five interns in the class who oversee the other student-managers. This will be her third year helping with the event.

"This is definitely the best class I’ve taken as far as real-world experience," Fulkerson said. "It gives me a chance to really get hands-on experience in event production and management.

"I love the challenge. I love that there’s 10 different balls in the air at one time, and you have to stay organized and keep going. A lot of people find it stressful. For me, it’s just an adrenaline rush."

Attendees must be 21 or older. Tickets can be purchased by calling 739-3267 or at unlvtickets.com. For more information, visit unlvino.com or call 877-413-8466.

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.