Wine tasting event to raise money for downtown projects

Clarence Plank: PNT staff writer

The Portales Winter Wine Festival and fundraiser Saturday is being billed as the social event of the holiday season by its organizers at Portales MainStreet.

“It’s a social event,” said Nicole Wilkening, community affairs coordinator. “Pecos Flavors Winery is going to be serving wine and beer selections so people can taste them.”

Tickets are $25 and available at Portales MainStreet Office or city hall, Woody’s Jewelry and Doerr and Kundson, P.A.

The annual event features live entertainment by Andy Mason.

Vines Italian Restaurant is serving hors d’oeuvres — a fried cheese ravioli with a basil marinara and butter roasted garlic alfredo, according to chef Victor Castillo — for the event.

Money from the festival will be going toward renovations to the Portales Inn and the Yam Theater for renovations, the organization’s Facade Improvement Program and promotions for different events, such as Live on the Square campaigns.

“All the money we’ve raised from the ticket sales to gain access into the event goes toward MainStreet and other projects,” Wilkening said. “It is just a social event for community members and a nice way for people to get together for the holidays.”

This marks the fifth year for the event.