Outstanding wines, beer, cheese, appetizers and desserts prepared by top regional restaurants and wineries will highlight the March 4 Vines event at CSU Stanislaus.

The area’s signature wine tasting event is hosted by the University’s Office of Alumni Affairs and sponsored by E. & J. Gallo Winery. It will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the CSU Stanislaus Main Dining Hall, and feature a live jazz quartet and silent auction sponsored by Boyett Petroleum to benefit the Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Vines is open to the public, 21 years and older. Tickets are limited and can be purchased by calling (209) 667-3131. In addition to wine and food tastings, guests with $35 tickets receive a keepsake tasting glass and a tasting journal. Those with $50 tickets will have access to the VIP Lounge. The VIP Lounge is sponsored by Liberty Property Management, and will feature wines from highly rated Napa Valley wineries: Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel and Dolce.

From wine novices to advanced wine enthusiasts, Vines is a casual and fun evening for all experience levels. Participating wine and food vendors to-date include Abundance Vineyards; Bacchus Food & Spirits; Bodega Del Sur; Borra Vineyards; Bronco Wine Company; Burrough’s Family Farms; Chartwells Campus Catering; D’ Art Vineyard; Delicato Family Vineyard; Dustbowl Brewing Company; Frog’s Tooth Vineyards; Harmony Wynelands; Hatcher Winery; Ironstone Vineyard; Lange Twins Winery & Vineyard; McManis Family Vineyard; Mokelumne Glen Vineyard; Surla’s Restaurant; Toscana’s; Two Guy’s on Broadway; and Vito’s Ristorante & Pizza.

Vines is the first in a series of programs this year celebrating the 50th anniversary of CSU Stanislaus, which held its first classes in 1960. Other events of note will include a May 15 Spring Reunion, fall gala and a number of other special programs commemorating 50 years of CSU Stanislaus excellence.

To learn more about Vines, call (209) 667-3131 or visit www.csustan.edu/alumni/vines.