BENTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The Lake Michigan College Mendel Center will host the sixth annual Winter Delights: A Festival of Wine, Food, and Jazz on Saturday, January 24, from 5 to 9 p.m. in Grand Upton Hall. The event will feature more than 20 Michigan wineries, local cuisine from a variety of restaurants and live entertainment by Chicago acoustic artist Pat McKillen.

According to Director of Conference and Event Services Tonya Martindale, more than 300 people attended last year’s Winter Delights.

“We have an outstanding array of local wines and delicious food, and guests can talk with winemakers and winery representatives in a warm and intimate atmosphere. It’s a great way to find relief from mid-winter cabin fever.”

Participating wineries to-date include: 12 Corners Vineyards of Benton Harbor, Burgdorf’s Winery of Haslett, Chateau Grand Traverse of Traverse City, Cody Kresta Vineyard & Winery of Mattawan, Cogdal Vineyards of South Haven, Contessa Wine Cellars of Coloma, Domaine Berrien Cellars of Berrien Springs, Fenn Valley Vineyards & Wine Cellar of Fennville, Free Run Cellars of Berrien Springs, Gravity of Baroda, Lawton Ridge Winery of Kalamazoo, Leelanau Wine Cellars of Omena, Lehman’s Orchards of Niles, Lemon Creek Winery of Berrien Springs, Round Barn Winery of Baroda, St. Julian Winery of Paw Paw, Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant of Buchanan, and White Pine Winery of St. Joseph.

Food vendors will include Old Europe Cheese/Reny Picot, Santaniello’s, Bistro on the Boulevard, LMC Conference and Events Services, and Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant. Café Mosaic and Purely Michigan will also have booths.

 

Entertainment

The New York Times has called Chicago-based singer-songwriter Pat McKillen “one of the most versatile emerging artists on the scene.” After getting his start as the lead singer of his 8th grade metal band, he began playing acoustic guitar in high school, and started writing while attending the University of Notre Dame. He plays his original alternative/acoustic music as well as covers regularly at venues around Chicago.

Event sponsors include the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council and the Southwest Michigan Tourist Council.

For more information, contact Tonya Martindale at (269) 927-8604.