By Steve Harmic, Penn State DuBois
DUBOIS – A group of Penn State DuBois fans have completed a winemaking experience with Starr Hill Winery of Curwensville, which resulted in their very own wine, Blue and White Zinfandel, and in funding for Penn State DuBois Athletics.
Donated by winery owner Kenn Starr, The Starr Hill Wine Making Experience has been a regular auction item at the Lion Wine and Cheese for four years. It’s a big win for campus athletics, since the winning bid goes directly to the programs. Plus, Starr donates a portion of the proceeds from the wine sales to campus athletics as well.Â
At last year’s Lion Wine and Cheese in February, a group of friends and family, including Carrie Wood, Tonya Richards, Shannon Richards, Lois Richards, Brittany Barrett and Rhonda Barrett, shared in winning the Winemaking experience. They just recently completed the bottling, and got the wine on the shelves.
“We had the opportunity to blend, name, create a label and bottle this wine. It was a wonderful experience,” said Wood, who is also a campus alumna and a past president of the Penn State DuBois Alumni Society. “We blended a white zinfandel, and of course, named it Blue and White Zinfandel. I believe we did about 500 bottles by hand.”
“The opportunity to purchase an experience to name, design, blend and bottle your own wine is one that few offer,” said Starr. “If you, or a group of you, are wine lovers this opportunity at Penn State DuBois is for you.Â
“Traditionally the highest bid item at the PSU Wine and Cheese, Starr Hill Winery has brought to the campus a total of $3,000 to help support campus athletics. A portion of every bottle sold goes back to the event. The wine this year, Blue and White Zinfandel will be a sell out fast.”
The wine is available at Starr Hill locations only while supplies last.Â
The next Lion Wine and Cheese is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 8, at Penn State DuBois. Tickets will be available for purchase later this fall. Contact Ken Nellis, athletic coordinator, for more information at 814-375-4857, or kcn3@psu.edu