‘Wine and Jazz Festival’ rings in 17 years

The West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival begins this weekend at Camp Muffly and will feature a variety of jazz performances and local wines for tasting.

Though this year will be the event's 17th year, Keith Jackson, member of the Wine and Jazz Festival Board and chair of the West Virginia University Division of Music, said this year will be slightly different from past efforts.

"What's different about this year is we focus on larger ensembles. On Saturday we have Paul Scea/Eric Haltmeier Project, which is a very different space genetics avant-garde band," Jackson said. "On Sunday … our final group is very different. It's a tribute to Charles Mingus, who had controversial recordings in the '40s and '50s. We have an all-star cast from the region up to Pittsburgh."

Other bands performing include the WVU Jazz Ensemble, The Rick Perdue Band, Azucar, Roger Humphries and RH Factor, The Mon River Big Band, WV Wesleyan College Big Band and Bill Heid Quartet.

To accompany the jazz music, festivalgoers will have the chance to try an assortment of wines, from red and white to dry and sweet.

All wines offered at the festival are local.

The 2010 winery lineup includes Daniels Vineyard, Fisher Ridge, Forks of Cheat Winery, Jones Cabin Run, Lambert's Vintage Wines, Potomac Highland, West Whitehill and Wolf Creek.

Forks of Cheat Winery has been involved with the Wine and Jazz Festival since the event began 17 years ago.

Eric Deal, co-owner of family-owned Forks of Cheat Winery, said the company plans to serve 14 wines for sample at this year's festival.

Prices for those bottles of wine range from $10 to $12.

"We're expecting a great weekend; the weather is looking nice," Eric said. "This is by far the biggest of the wine festivals we go to with a great turnout, and it's great to have it right here in Morgantown – where my family is from."

The estimated 5,000 people who will be attending the festival will also have a number of restaurants to try and artisans to browse.

Chico's Fat Burritos, Jersey Subs, Edible Arrangements, Russ' Ribs, Synergy Chophouse, Golden Finch and Slight Indulgence will be available for on-site dining options.

Slight Indulgence is the longest attending vendor at the festival, having only missed the first initial event.

"We take our coffee, cappuccino, espresso, cheeses, baguettes, and we'll have pizzas on the grill. We also have a dessert, along with an iced tea," said Suzy Warman, co-owner of Slight Indulgence.

Slight Indulgence will offer products ranging from $2 to $12 at the festival.

"We've always supported the West Virginia wineries, and we always keep them in our stores. It's a fun weekend with friends and fabulous music," Warman said.

For those who would like to take a piece of the festival home with them, seven artisans will be selling everything from jewelry and bags to pottery and photography.

The following will be in attendance:

Earth Jewels – Rose Wirtz, Handmade Semi-precious gemstone jewelry ; Kevin Kauffman Pottery; Lora Hall, handmade bags and wine totes; Moose Antler Forge, specializing in iron work; Thousand Oaks Barrel Company, oak barrels for aging wine, whiskey, brandy and port; Roger Sealey Photography, art photos; Susan Witt / Monica Wilkins, original watercolors/stained glass; Valorie Richardson, "wine festival" theme jewelry.

"It's one of my favorite weekends of the year," Jackson said. "It's not just about the music and wine, but it's also about the energy.

Proceeds from the event will be put back into the community as scholarships, programs that encourage music in schools and sponsorships with local organizations.

The Wine and Jazz Fesitval has given back $225,000 over the years to organizations including Camp Muffly, the WVU Jazz Department, the WVU Foundation, United Way and Chestnut Ridge Park.

The Wine and Jazz Festival will be Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., with no alcohol before 1 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $15 per day, which includes a wine glass and free wine-tasting.

Buses will be provided free of charge Saturday only.

Buses will make trips from the Mountainlair to Camp Muffly beginning at 11 a.m. and will run through 1 p.m. Return trips will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will end at 6:30 p.m.