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| Larry Ruvo from Bubbleicious |
The
40th annual UNLVino concluded on Saturday, April 12, with the largest ever
Founders’ Grand Tasting featuring themed culinary villages, art experiences,
helicopter entrances and an immensely vast collection of wines, spirits and
beers. Proceeds from the evening hosted at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center
for Brain Health went to the UNLVino Scholarship Fund, which benefits students
at UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.
The
men of the hour were UNLVino’s co-founders – Dean Emeritus of UNLV's Hotel
College, Dr. Jerry Vallen and Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada’s Senior
Managing Director, Larry Ruvo – who were honored with the Dom Pérignon Award of
Excellence for their foresight to create Nevada’s original wine event 40 years
ago.
“The
tradition that was started by Dean Vallen and Larry Ruvo 40 years ago is the
gift that keeps on giving,” said UNLV President Donald Snyder. “We’ve had
millions of dollars worth of scholarships that have resulted from UNLVino, and
it gets better every year.”
Ruvo
said, “All I can say is thank you everyone for supporting – and believing in –
our dream.”
The
Founders’ Grand Tasting was re-imagined for the 40th anniversary to be larger
than life, which was spotlighted with beloved UNLV mascot Hey Reb’s grand
entrance to the event via helicopter. The festival held 80 booths featuring
hundreds of premium beverages from legendary suppliers like Francis Ford
Coppola, Freixenet, Inglenook, C. Mondavi & Family, Far Niente, Riboli
Family Wines and Banfi Vintners.
Additionally,
guests explored the grounds filled with a variety of experiences including:
· Retro-Fitted Stage: No ordinary
backdrop would do for the 40th Grand Tasting. The main stage was fitted with
neon lights from the old Showboat Hotel that sparkled throughout the night.
Guests gathered for an exhilarating live auction where bids soared well into
thousands of dollars for high-end packages, where all proceeds went directly to
the scholarship fund.
· Sake Village: A Zen-themed garden
located off the Keep Memory Alive Events Center’s breezeway highlighted an
array of sake tastings alongside some of Las Vegas’ favorite Japanese
restaurants. Among the crowd pleasures were Aburiya Raku’s Grilled Kobe Beef
Skewers, Shibuya’s Wagyu Beef Tartare and Jasmine’s Sweet & Spicy General
Tso’s Chicken.
· Beer Garden: Surrounding a seated area
of picnic-style tables were trucks serving some of the best brews from around
the country including Brooklyn Brewery, Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head and Anchor
Brewing, among others. Among the favorite food options in the area was Engine 1
Pizza that served its signature slices from a one-of-a-kind fire truck decked
out with a wood-burning oven.
· Arts Galore: Artwork was spread
throughout the festival beginning with an arch welcoming guests at the entrance
inspired by world-renowned artist Romero Britto’s 40th UNLVino commemorative
painting. An interactive community project – The Wishing Tree – was displayed
outside of the Sake Garden where guests personalized wine corks with their
wishes and hung them on the immortalized tree’s branches. Local artists
displayed their works including Jessica Galindo, Joseph Watts, Lil’ Art Bodega,
Niki J Sands and Working Girls Design, Inc.
· Student Hospitality: Patrons lined up
inside the Keep Memory Alive Events Center to taste culinary creations by UNLV
students under the direction of Chef Mark Sandoval, including a raw bar that
was one of the most popular stations of the evening as well as sumptuous
desserts like Strawberry Cheesecake Bites, Éclairs and Cream Puffs. Additionally,
nearly 600 UNLV volunteers contributed to the success of the Founders’ Grand
Tasting, an excellent hands-on learning experience for students at the Hotel
College.
The
40th annual UNLVino festivities featured four evenings of events, kicking off
with Sip & Savor at Spago inside The Forum Shops on Wednesday, April 9, and
hosted by world-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck. At the event, attendees mingled
with the chef and enjoyed an exquisite selection of premium wines and gourmet
food from Puck’s six distinct Las Vegas restaurants.
· Sip & Savor Photos (Credit: Matt
Carter/LV Action Images)
· Sip & Savor Video: B Roll &
Interviews
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 co- founders, Larry Ruvo and Dr. Jerry
Vallen.
· Mayor’s Proclamation Photos (Credit:
Joe Tholt)
Night
two of UNLVino, its second annual BAR-b-q, was 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.
· BAR-b-q Photos (Credit: Matt Carter/LV
Action Images)
· BAR-b-q Video: B Roll & Interviews
On
Friday, April 11, guests sipped bubbly and savored fine cuisine with
internationally celebrated pop artist, Romero Britto, under the stars at The
Venetian’s Doge’s Palace Plaza. One of UNLVino’s most beloved events, Bubble-Licious
delighted patrons with an evening of champagne, sparkling wines and delicious
selections from The Venetian and Palazzo’s restaurants.
· Bubble-Licious Photos (Credit: Joe Tholt)
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.
