Some 65 wineries from Iowa to France are pouring samples of more than 400 different wines as part of “Wine Fest Des Moines,” concluding today. A woman with an appropriate last name, Karrie Weinhardt is executive director of the second annual event which she says is for everyone from wine-tasting beginners to vine-ripened experts.Some of tonight’s gourmet dinner events cost up to 225-dollars per person, but Weinhardt says other attractions require much less of a financial commitment — they’re free. Art Smith, Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef, will be hosting a free cupcake-decorating seminar at the Des Moines Farmers Market starting at 10 A.M. He’ll have two-thousand cupcakes to spruce up with everything from sprinkles to frosting. Weinhardt says there are other events that focus on wine and wine-making, seminars about wine appreciation, cooking with wine and secrets from some of the finest chefs.While some 180 brands of wine from around the globe will be represented at the events, several Iowa wineries will be featured, including Summerset Winery in Indianola, Timberhill Winery in Leon and Tabor Home Vineyards near Baldwin. For more information, surf to “www.winefestdesmoines.com”.
