SULLIVAN UNIVERSITY TO HOST STATE WINE COMPETITION

FRANKFORT— The Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Grape & Wine Council have announced that the fourth annual Kentucky Commonwealth Commercial Wine Competition & Commissioner’s Cup will take place at Sullivan University in Louisville on Oct. 29.

With a goal of public awareness and education through promotion and recognition, the wine competition is the quintessential yearly guide to the best wines produced throughout the state. Eligible only to licensed Kentucky small-farm wineries, the competition assembles panels of expert judges made up of industry leaders throughout the nation to systematically assess and score entries.

“We are very excited to partner with Sullivan University for this year’s competition,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “Sullivan is one of the top culinary institutes in the country, and their expertise will help showcase Kentucky’s grape and wine industry.”

Tyler Madison, the KDA’s Grape & Wine Marketing Program manager, added: “It makes a lot of sense for us to work together. The facilities at Sullivan are incredible; it’s a perfect place to hold a top-tier wine competition. 

“What I’m looking forward to the most is working with some of the students,” Madison continued. “These students represent the next generation culinary scene, and we’ll have the opportunity to not only get them involved in the planning of a wine competition but also teach them about Kentucky wine.”

For more information about the Kentucky Commonwealth Commercial Wine Competition, visit http://competition.kentuckywine.com/.

Photo: Sullivan Provost Dr. Kenneth Miller (second from left) and National Center for Hospitality Studies Executive Director Chef David Dodd (second from right) recently traveled to Frankfort to meet with Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarrels (middle) to discuss the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup and other partnership opportunities.