What
Founders’ Dinner & Festival
When
Fri., Nov. 10 – Sat., Nov. 11
Where
Student Union
Agricultural Center
More Info
arizonawine.org
The Arizona Wine Growers Association is teaming up with the University of Arizona to host a Founders’ Dinner and a Festival at the Farm.
The event kicks off with a dinner honoring industry founders at the University Student Union in the South Ballroom from 6 – 9:30 p.m. on Friday, November 10.
The dinner is a chance to honor the Arizona Wine Growers Association’s forefathers.
Senior Executive Chef Michael Omo has created a four-course menu paired with Arizona wines from the Arizona Wine Growers members.
Tickets are $125 per person.
Arizona Wine Growers Founders’ Dinner Menu
First Course
- Mediterranean Santa Barbara Spot Prawn Cocktail – cured tomatoes, capers, nicoise olives, extra virgin olive oil
- Paired with Alcantara 2016 Sauvignon Blanc
Second Course
- Petite Wedge of Salinas Valley Greens – crispy proscuitto, dried goat cheese, heirloom tomatoes
- Paired with Bodega Pierce 2015 Athena
Third Course
- Black Trumpet Crusted Filet of Beef – golden chanterelle’s, yukon gold potato puree, wilted spinach, foie gras sausage, port reduction
- Paired with Callaghan Caitlin’s 2013
Fourth Course
- White Chocolate Teardrop – chocolate sphere, meringue, raspberry and pistachio creme
- Paired with Sonoita Vineyards Sparkles Brut
On the very next day, the wine festival begins at the University of Arizona Campus Agricultural Center at 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 11.
The Festival celebrates the best of Arizona’s three wine growing regions and urban wine areas with more than 20 wineries pouring over 125 wines.
Tickets are $15 for 6 wine tastings, and $20 for 10 tastings.
Wineries will also be offering sales by the glass, bottle, and even the case.
Participating Wineries
- Alcantara Vineyards & Winery
- Arizona Stronghold Vineyards
- Bodega Pierce Wines Arizona
- Callaghan Vineyards
- Carlson Creek Vineyard
- Chateau Tumbleweed
- Coronado Vineyards
- Dos Cabezas Winery
- Four Tails Vineyard
- Golden Rule Vineyards
- Keeling Schaefer Vineyards
- Kief-Joshua Vineyards
- Lightning Ridge Cellars
- Pillsbury Wine Company
- Sierra Bonita Vineyard
- Sonoita Vineyards
- Southwest Wine Center
- Su Vino Winery
- Wilhelm Family Vineyards
- Zarpara Vineyard
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Article written by:

Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.















