UNLVino's Bar-b-q A HUGE Success!! BE SURE & ATTEND NEXT YEAR!!

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Larry Ruvo, Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Dr. Jerry Vallen

 UNLVino’s 40th anniversary celebrations were in full force yesterday, Thursday, April 11. The second day of festivities began with a special presentation at Las Vegas City Hall, where Mayor Carolyn Goodman proclaimed April 9 – 12, 2014, “UNLVino Celebration Week” honoring the event’s founders, Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada’s Senior Managing Director, Larry Ruvo, and Dean Emeritus of UNLV’s William F. Harrah Hotel College of Hotel Administration, Dr. Jerry Vallen.

Later in the evening, UNLVino hosted its second annual BAR-b-q, a mixology-inspired poolside soiree featuring gourmet twists on barbeque favorites. Taking place amongst the gorgeous scenery of Caesars Palace Garden of the Gods Pool, guests imbibed on 16 signature cocktails from the city’s most talented bartenders and mixologists while raising scholarship dollars for UNLV’s Hotel College.

“It’s amazing that the event has been around for 40 years,” said UNLV Hotel College Dean Dr. Stowe Shoemaker. “We wouldn’t be here today it weren’t for the support of the Las Vegas community.”

Nectaly Mendoza, Owner of Herbs & Rye, was honored by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada’s Executive Director of Mixology & Spirits Education Francesco Lafranconi with UNLVino’s first-ever Chartreuse Award of Excellence. The local-favorite restaurant and bar’s General Manager Alenrry Iniguez also was present to accept the award.

Lafranconi said, “Nectaly Mendoza is a man of a true work ethic and integrity. But he of course couldn’t do it without his wonderful team, and we are honoring them for achieving their common goal of excellence in guest services and innovation. The Herbs & Rye team demonstrates the best customer service in Las Vegas and sets an example for all of us.”

Lafranconi also took a moment to recognize the owners of Downtown Las Vegas speakeasy The Laundry Room at Commonwealth for awards they recently acquired at the 2014 Nightclub & Bar Show, a convention which brought tens of thousands of hospitality professionals to the city.

The drinks flowed all night as guests sampled a bevy of cocktails from bars and restaurants all across the Las Vegas Valley, including:

·         Mendoza’s Herbs & Rye took a unique twist on the Bloody Mary, mixing Don Julia Blanco Tequila, blood orange puree, SBS Bloody Mary Mix and Victoria Beer.

·         Guests sipped on the “Not My Job” from Britney Kinsland and Karolina Bogdanska of Blind Pig, a cocktail featuring Double Cross Vodka; Pierre Ferrand Dry Orange Curaçao; as well as fig, orange marmalade and aromatic bitters.

·         Patrons enjoyed the wonderful “Mango Daiquiri” containing Pyrat XO Rum, fresh lime juice, passion fruit and mango created by District One’s Master Mixologist, Alaina Swirkowski.

·         Rose Signor from Atomic Liquors produced “The Cointreaudiction,” made with Cointreau, fresh orange and lemon juices and mixed with Green Herbal Liqueur.

·         The Downtown Cocktail Room team prepared a “Peruvian Picnic,” combining Pisco Porton, Italian Apertif, citrus juice and Sauvignon Blanc.

·         Guests at the Wayfarer Bar booth tried Mixologist Trey Picou’s “English Bazy,” made with Bulldog Gin, Campari Italian Apertif, plum bitters and fresh cucumber.

·         The cocktail masterminds at The Boozery used Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer, Absolut Herbaceous Lemon, fresh lemon juice and Runny Honey to construct the “Crab Hatter” cocktail.

·         Vanguard Lounge’s Landon Besherse had guests guzzling the “Jim Jones ‘BALLIN!’” cocktail, created from Grey Goose Le Melon Vodka, blood orange liqueur and fresh cucumber sour, topped with blood orange soda.

·         A tribute to Las Vegas’ former mayor, Keith Baker of Oscar’s Steakhouse poured “Oscar Goodman’s Cure-All Punch and Vigor Restorative Tonic,” made with Avion Silver Tequila, fresh lime and grapefruit bitters, topped with cranberry and pineapple juices.

·         Triple George stuck to the classics with a Blackberry Martini, shaking Rockefeller Vodka with fresh blackberries, pineapple and cranberry juices.

·         Poolside sippers enjoyed the “Dulce y Especiado” from Imperial Tacos’ Alex Penalosa, fusing Agavie Silver Tequila, Italian Amaro, bitter aperitif, lemon juice and Serrano-infused honey.

·         Rave reviews were given to Robert Wank of Echo & Rig’s “Chopin Tell,” made with Chopin Wheat Vodka, hibiscus syrup and fresh cucumber with an edible flower from Wild Hibiscus.

·         Jessica Fesler from Double Helix offered attendees a taste of summer with her artistic “Summertime Sour” drink made from DISARONNO Amaretto, American Bourbon and freshly made lemon sour mix.

·         Vintner Grill’s Ryan Wynnett provided thirsty guests with his “Casa de Rhubarb” cocktail made from Casamigos Blanco Tequila, ginger syrup, fresh strawberries and rhubarb.

·         DW Bistro’s Tyler Burt and Anthony Ortiz whipped up the “Jamaican Ginger Razz,” concocted from Stolichnaya Razberri, Jamaican ginger syrup, fresh lime juice and ginger beer.

·         Midtown Bar and Pizza Kitchen presented the “Midnight in Midtown,” featuring Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila and raspberry puree with pineapple and cranberry.

Guests also indulged in culinary selections from some of the city’s top restaurants, including Lobster Bisque from The Palm Las Vegas; Mozzarella Caprese Skewers served by Trevi; Spring Lamb Chops with tamarind glaze cooked up by Samba Brazilian Steakhouse; Chicken Searpariello Wings at Carmine’s NYC’s booth; and several buffet stations from the Caesars Palace culinary team featuring Lollipop Chicken Wings, Barbeque Sliders and Crudités.

DJ Tony Sinatra kept the party going all night with his musical stylings, while the crowd also was delighted with performances by UNLV’s Latin Jazz Ensemble. The university’s beloved mascot Hey Reb was on hand with members of the UNLV Scarlet Line Dance Team to get attendees pumped up, while event emcee Chet Buchanan encouraged guests to participate in UNLVino’s silent auction, where all proceeds will go back to the scholarship fund.

UNLVino kicked off on Wednesday with Sip & Savor at Spago, and the fun continues tonight, Friday, April 11 at the champagne-filled Bubble-Licious at The Venetian Las Vegas’ Doge’s Palace Plaza at 7 p.m. Tomorrow, Saturday, April 12 at 7 p.m., the Founders’ Grand Tasting will wrap up the 40th annual festival at the Keep Memory Alive Events Center at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

For more information visit UNLVino.com. 

About UNLVino

UNLVino was cofounded in 1974 by the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration and Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, the two organizations which continue to sponsor it today. Over the past 40 years, UNLVino has raised several million dollars for scholarships and other academic development needs of UNLV students. UNLVino is differentiated through unparalleled, hands-on student experiences at all levels of event planning, execution and promotion, as well as the impactful funds raised each year – all testaments to the celebratory weekend’s broader purpose – scholarship.  For more information, visit UNLVino.com.