Tri-Cities Wine Festival planned Nov. 14

Wine lovers, grab your corkscrews: the 37th annual Tri-Cities Wine Festival is Nov. 14.

More than 80 wineries have provided 428 wines for this year’s event at Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. Judging has already been conducted and this year’s medal winners, along with a singular Best of Show honor, will be announced during the evening’s festivities.

While this year’s event doesn’t break records for the number of wineries or wines, Mary Binder of Tri-Cities Wine Society, said it’s still a premium event for the area’s wine connoisseurs and novices alike.

“There’s really something for everybody,” she said. “This is a great opportunity for people who are just getting into wine.”

Comments from this year’s judges have praised the field of entries which Binder says has become more diverse as the wine industry in the Pacific Northwest has grown, adding new varietals and blends.

There also will be a silent auction with items including art, gift certificates and wine. Proceeds will go toward scholarships for students studying enology and viticulture. About a dozen Tri-City restaurants and caterers will provide food, with some longtime participants joining newcomers.

And for those who want to tag along but aren’t that into wine? Two to three brewpubs also will be on hand.

The event runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., though wine society members can get in at 6 p.m. Tickets are $55 in advance, or $60 at the door. They can be purchased online via Ticketmaster or at the Toyota Center box office. The price is all inclusive, covering food and drink.

Binder advises those attending to make sure they have a photo I.D. and also have plans to get home after the festival ends.

This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 6:26 PM with the headline "Tri-Cities Wine Festival planned Nov. 14."