• Hotel, Casino & Club News

Las Vegas Celebrates 37th Annual UNLVino Wine Festival March 31-April 2 to Raise Scholarship Funds

Three nights of extraordinary champagnes, sake, world-class wines, award winning cocktails and craft beer honoring celebrity chef Todd English will raise funds for UNLV hospitality student scholarship. Southern Wine and Spirits proudly presents Nevada’s largest and oldest Wine Festival-the 37th Annual UNLVino. Three of the hottest venues in Las Vegas will host three nights of education, fundraising and friendship from March 31-April 2, 2011. Felix Rappaport, President and COO of The Mirage and former Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous host Robin Leach will be honored with the Dom Pérignon Award of Excellence.

UNLVino 2011 kicks off Thursday, March 31, from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., with Bubble-Licious, hosted for the first time at Crystals at CityCenter. Style and taste senses mix together as world renowned champagne, sparkling wine and exotic champagne cocktails unite with couture, cuisine and entertainment at one of Las Vegas’ newest architectural and experiential landmarks. Tickets are $75 in advance and $100 at the door.

Nowhere outside of Japan will guests Catch the Fever! the way it’s served up at UNLVino. Over 100 premium sakes will be presented by Japanese Brew Masters on Friday, April 1, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. amidst the tropical pleasures of the exquisitely landscaped Mirage pool. Samplings of Asian culinary delicacies will add to the adventure and your palate with the sensations of sake. Ah, So Good! Tickets are $50 in advance and $75 at the door.

An Evening in Paris….Las Vegas style! The Grand Tasting wraps up this year’s UNLVino on Saturday, April 2, 2011 from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. at the Paris Las Vegas. The festivities continue a beloved and time-honored Las Vegas tradition. The world’s best vintners promise a huge portfolio of international wines plus there are award winning cocktails and craft beers. It’s an unparalleled wine-classic fundraiser to support the UNLV College of Hotel Administration scholars program. Tickets are $75 in advance and $100 at the door.

Since UNLVino was established in 1974 by the William F. Harrah Hotel College of Hotel Administration and Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada it has attracted tens of thousands of wine enthusiasts who “take a sip for scholarship” sampling the world’s finest wines and spirits. That support over the years has produced millions of dollars for scholarship programs benefiting students at UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.

The Dom Pérignon Award of Excellence will be presented by the students during UNLVino to three outstanding hospitality leaders. The William F. Harrah Hotel College students bestow this award on individuals who have distinguished themselves in the hospitality industry by setting an example through their inspirational leadership, character, and work ethic.

The 2011 Dom Pérignon Award of Excellence Honorees:

• Bubble-Licious Honoree
  Todd English – Chef & Restaurateur
• Sake Fever Honoree
  Felix Rappaport – President and COO of The Mirage
• The Grand Tasting Honoree
  Robin Leach – Celebrity Television Producer

Tickets are available at UNLVtickets.com or by calling (702) 739-3267. Log on to www.UNLVino.com