WineMcGee.com today released their new event management suite, designed to help restaurants, wine retailers, and wineries promote, ticket, and mange their wine events.

The Web site also creates a new marketplace for wine lovers to purchase tickets to wine tasting events, classes, festivals, and dinners online directly from event hosts.

“It’s a very exciting time in the industry and we’re thrilled to be connecting our users to local wine tastings and events,” said Michael Siegler, founder of WineMcGee.

“We want to continue to help people experience and learn more about wine, and our new marketplace does exactly that.”

WineMcGee.com is driven by a growing social community of wine drinkers and direct relationships with retailers, restaurants, wineries, and event management companies.

The new management suite helps streamline the marketing process for event hosts, provides comprehensive e-ticketing, email list management, invite, and RSVP functionality.

The Web site has already proven useful to local Chicago restaurants and public relations firms.

“WineMcGee is a new and extremely useful service for me. Since it launched, I have been posting my client’s wine dinners on the site and we have had a great response,” says Sherri Maddick, Owner of Maddick Media Public Relations.

“What I love about this site over similar sites that exist on the internet is that it looks as beautiful as it is functional. It’s also very simple to use! Founder Michael Siegler has a true passion for wine, which I think comes across in the way he has created this new venture.

I have been doing public relations for independent restaurants for 23 years and I have witnessed many changes in the media. This is a wonderful new addition for those directly involved in the hospitality business. Everyone should try it and see how it can help increase guests in their restaurants.”

The new event management tools were built to address the major problems facing event hosts today.

When posting an event, hosts can make use of the one-click publishing system, which instantly pushes the event to Facebook, Twitter, and several other event sites online.

The ticketing platform is full-featured and easy to use, and the email list management tools allow hosts to track bounces, opt-outs, and conversions.

Chicago Web Site ‘WineMcGee.com’ Unveils Wine Tasting Marketplace | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The event will be held at the Vermilion River entrance (south entrance) of Matthiessen State Park. Matthiessen, located on the southwest side of Starved Rock State Park, is about 95 minutes west of Chicago.

Co-sponsored by Prairie State Winery and August Hill Winery, the festival has attracted about 30 wineries from all over Illinois. You can check them out on their Web sites before you go or merely wander around the festival to sip and see what you want to take home.

Participating wineries: Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass, August Hill Winery, Utica, Baxter’s Vineyards & Winery, Nauvoo Berryville Vineyards, Claremont, Blue Sky Vineyard, Makanda, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Chicago Suburbs, Fox Creek Vineyards, Olney, Fox Valley Winery, Oswego Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery, Galena, Illinois River Winery, Utica, Kickapoo Creek Winery, Edwards, Lasata Winery, Lawrenceville, Lavender Crest Winery, Colona, Mary Michelle Winery & Vineyard, Carollton, Massbach Ridge Winery, Elizabeth, Owl Creek Vineyard, Cobden, Pheasant Hollow Winery, Whittington, Piasa Winery, Maryville, Prairie State Winery, Genoa, For places to stay see Starved Rock article, Spirit Knob Vineyard & Winery, Ursa, Starved Rock Market Place, Utica, Vahling Vineyards, Stewardson, Village Vintner Winery, Carpentersville, Von Jakob Vineyard, Pomona, Waterman Winery & Vineyards, Waterman, Wild Blossom Winery, Chicago and Willett’s Winery & Cellar, Manito.

Admission: Entry is $15.00 which includes a commemorative “Vintage Illinois at Starved Rock” wine glass and 5 tasting tickets. Visitors must be age 21 and older to participate in wine tasting so bring  photo ID. Addtional tasting tickets can be purchased within the festival for $1.00 each.

Tickets purchased in advance are $15.00 but include 7 tasting tickets.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sept. 19 and noon – 5 p.m. Sept. 20

Starved Rock Lodge will cater the food tents but there are several good eating places nearby. With Labor Day weekend come and gone, it should be easier to find accommodations and less crowded restaurants. This is also a chance to visit scenic, historic Starved Rock.

More Information: Starved Rock Lodge 1-800-868-ROCK (7625), Prairie State Winery 815-784-4540 and vintageillinois.com.

More Than 30 Wineries Showcased at Vintage Illinois Festival and Wine Tasting at Starved Rock Lodge Sept. 19-20 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Set in the shadow of Millennium Park and framed by the breathtaking Chicago skyline, The Windy City Wine Festival brings more than 250 international and domestic wine varieties, presented by more than 40 festival vendors, to the scenic Daley Bicentennial Plaza.

For a complete list of participating wine vendors, visit windycitywinefestival.com.

Festival guests have the unique opportunity to interact face-to-face with wine makers and brand experts, expanding their wine knowledge and discovering the blends that best suit their taste. To complement the wine’s finish, many of the Chicago area’s finest restaurants will offer gourmet specialties.

Beer lovers will enjoy The Blue Moon Beer Garden, a beer garden experience within the festival, which features ample sampling of Blue Moon beer varieties.

“We are excited to celebrate our fifth year returning to Daley Bicentennial Plaza, one of the most beautiful locations for a festival in the city, with an international selection of new wine blends,” said Scott Janess, one of the Windy City Wine Festival organizers. “The relaxed setting takes the fear and mystery out of learning about wine. Our festival is the perfect opportunity for everyone from the wine enthusiast to novice to have a good time with friends and walk away with a new appreciation for wine.”

Interactive wine seminars and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs and wine experts such as Chef Scott Walton and Chef Thomas Rice of Markethouse Restaurant, The Hearty Boys and Master Sommelier Serafin Alvarado, Director of Wine Education for Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois, will educate guests on new recipes and the best food and wine pairing combinations.

A music stage will be set up where live jazz, blues and light rock will be played by top local talent. The Michael Heaton Band, a self-described “bluejean rock” band, will have festival-goers dancing on Friday night as they play original hits inspired by the likes of Tom Petty, John Mellencamp and John Hiatt. The Erin Bode Band, the melodic jazz band will serenade guests on Saturday evening with unique twists on pop classics. Soulful songstress Kim Massie of St. Louis follows to entertain the crowd with her powerful bluesy voice. [Please see entertainment schedule below].

Participants can easily navigate their way throughout the park and make note of their favorite wines with a detailed map of the festival vendors. A list of all of the wines being sampled with prices will be provided. Binny’s Beverage Depot will offer 10% off any wine ordered at the festival, which can be picked up at any of their 22 area stores.

Fletcher-Jones Audi will be displaying select models of their latest Audi Q5 on-site at the festival. Audi specialists will be available to answer questions.

Meet the Experts

Executive Chef Scott Walton and Chef Thomas Rice of Markethouse join the festival to share recipes from their acclaimed restaurant, which boasts an original menu marrying Heartland basics with fresh, regional specialty ingredients from around the globe. Chicago-area native Scott Walton brings more than 15 years of culinary talent. A graduate of the Joliet College of Culinary Arts and the Culinary Institute of America, Walton recently served as the executive banquet chef for the Sheraton Chicago Hotel Towers.

In addition to serving in various capacities at noted Chicagoland restaurants, Walton also ran his own catering and restaurant consulting business, Culinary Creations by Walton. Walton resides in Willow Springs, Ill. and is currently a member of the American Culinary Federation and Club Chefs of America.

An accomplished culinary professional with 12 years of experience in classical and modern cooking techniques, Thomas Rice serves as chef de cuisine of Markethouse. Rice is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, after which he worked for more than two years with renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten at Jean-Gorges and spent time in France under the tutelage of acclaimed Chefs Alain Ducasse and Paul Hamberlin at their respective Michelin top-rated restaurants. Rice resides in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood and is a Chicago native.

Jessica Bell founded The Midwest Wine School (MWS) in June 2007, which is an organization dedicated to providing high-quality and unbiased wine education in a relaxed and fun atmosphere for wine lovers throughout the Midwest. Bell received a Diploma in Wine & Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in London and a certificate in Viticulture and Vinification from the American Sommelier Association in New York City.

Most recently she has been designated as an Ambassador of Armagnac and an accredited instructor of several French wine-making regions, after extensive travels and passing the Master-level exam. She has also worked for a winery in Spain and subsequently became an accredited Spanish Wine Educator. Jessica currently offers wine-related classes in Milwaukee and Chicago, consults for area restaurants and retailers and is the Beverage Expert on the television program Wisconsin Foodie. Bell received her Bachelor degree in Economics and Spanish from Duke University.

Serafin Alvarado, Master Sommelier, is the Director of wine education for Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois as well as an Ambassador of Cotes du Rhone Wines, shares food and wine demonstrations both days of the festival. After moving to Chicago in 2001 to work alongside Chef Charlie Trotter at his famed restaurant, Alvarado’s passion for wine was launched into a successful career. In October of 2005, Serafin received the Bill Rice distinguished “Sommelier of the Year Award,” and most recently, Crain’s Chicago Business Magazine included Serafin Alvarado in its “40 Under 40″ issue.

Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh of The Hearty Boys, one of Chicago’s most beloved caterers and restaurateurs, bring their charm and unparalleled knowledge of food and wine to the Windy City Wine Festival. Best known for their hit Food Network TV show “Party Line with the Hearty Boys,” Smith and McDonagh share fun and interactive cooking demonstrations with guests, Friday, Sept. 11.

Event Information

The Windy City Wine Festival will take place Friday, Sept. 11 from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 12 from 3 to 10 p.m. in Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park, just east of Millennium Park. For each night of the festival, ticket sales end at 8:30 p.m., alcohol sampling and sales end at 9:30 p.m.

Ticket Information

Adult Wine Tasting Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. Advance tickets can be purchased through Sept. 10, 2009. This ticket price includes a souvenir wine glass, 10 tastings, a Festival Program and food and wine demonstrations and musical entertainment.

Additional tasting coupons may be purchased at the festival. For $5, guests will receive 10 additional tastings.

Designated Driver Tickets are $10 in advance or at the gate. This ticket includes two non- alcoholic drinks, a Festival Program, food and wine seminars, access to cooking demonstrations, musical entertainment and a souvenir wine glass upon departure. Attendees under 21 are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult.

For groups of 15 or more, tickets are $22.50. To reserve group tickets call 847.382.1480 or GroupTix at 1-877-4GRP-TIX (447-7849). For more information, visit grouptix.net.

Tickets can be purchased online now at windycitywinefestival.com or by phone at 847-382-1480. Tickets will be available for purchase on-site at Daley Bicentennial Plaza on the day of the festival. Parking is available in city lots and at the Monroe Street Garage located directly beneath the park.

A portion of the Festival proceeds benefits The Grant Park Conservancy.

The Windy City Wine Festival sponsors include Fiji Water, Binny’s Beverage Depot, Blue Moon Beer, Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal LLP, Black Box Wines, WILV 100.3 FM, Cotes du Rhone Wines and Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois.

Windy City Wine Festival ENTERTAINMENT schedule

Friday, September 11

6:00-6:30 pm                                   Cooking/wine demo by Master Sommelier Serafin Alvarado

6:35-7:05 pm                                   Cotes du Rhone wine seminar with Jessica Bell

7:10-7:40 pm                                   The Hearty Boys Cooking Demonstration

8:00-9:45 pm                                   The Michael Heaton Band performs

Saturday, September 12

4:00-4:30 pm                                   Cooking/wine demo by Chef Scott Walton and Chef Thomas Rice
of Markethouse Restaurant

4:35-5:05 pm                                   Cooking/wine demo by Master Sommelier Serafin Alvarado

5:50-7:20 pm                                   The Erin Bode Band performs

7:30-8:00 pm                                   Cotes du Rhone wine seminar by Jessica Bell, Founder of Midwest Wine School

8:15-9:45 pm                                   The Kim Massie Band performs

Windy City Wine Festival Returns for its Fifth Year to Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park Sept. 11-12 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.