Thursday, July 10, 2008

Eight years after the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce first hosted a wine tasting to draw attention to the West Hills, the annual event has grown from 350 attendees to more than 1,000 and has sprouted a VIP area.

The eighth annual Wine & Dine in the Park at Robin Hill Park in Moon, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, will feature wines from Pennsylvania vintners, food from local restaurants and live jazz music.

Sally Haas is president of the 1,000-member chamber, which serves 31 communities, including Robinson, North Fayette and Sewickley. She said the event was conceived to showcase the communities around Pittsburgh International Airport.

"When people come out here, they tend to be rushing to the airport," Haas said. "We wanted to create awareness ... to draw people out into the community so they could see the quality of life, the kind of neighborhoods and atmosphere out here."

Robin Hill Park, on Thorn Run Road between University Boulevard and Beaver Grade Road, is a nature preserve developed on 52 acres bequeathed to the township in 1971. The property includes a Georgian-style mansion converted to an environmental center, an herb garden and a gazebo.

General admission is $30 a person and includes a commemorative wine glass, wine tastings and three food tickets. The jazz quartet Heavenly Harmonies will perform.

Participating restaurants include Bocktown Beer and Grill, Jacksons Restaurant-Rotisserie-Bar, Bravo! Cucina Italiana, the North Park Clubhouse and the Wexford Post Office Deli. Vintners include Glades Pike Winery, Starr Hill Vineyard and Winery, Wilhelm Winery and The Winery at Wilcox. Additionally, Vecenie Distributor will offer microbrew beer tastings.

A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $55 in advance ($65 at the door, if still available). They include general admission, as well as vodka tastings by Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries, champagne and a jazz pianist.

The event will be tented and will occur even if it rains. Trolley shuttles from parking areas at the Centria Building at 1005 Beaver Grade Road and Heritage Valley Health System at 935 Thorn Run Road will run throughout the evening.

"I hope people will come out and treat themselves," Haas said. "It's a wonderful event, and cheaper than filling your tank and drive miles and miles or having to fly somewhere. This is in your backyard."

Bonnie Pfister can be reached at bpfister@tribweb.com or 412-320-7886.