Athens, GA- The popping of bottles and clinking of glasses could only mean one thing–wine is on the menu. Wine weekend consists of events and seminars for food and wine from all over the world. Hundreds of wines are offered at the Grand Tasting.

In addition to tasting wines, you can place bids in a silent auction and enter a raffle.

Volunteer Hannah Walters says, “I’m selling tickets for the Cultural Center Foundation for this beautiful lapel pin.”

The first wine weekend held in Athens four years ago only had about fifty members in attendance. This year the number is about 8-900 people.

Director of Marketing Meredith Faulkner describes local businesses participating in the event, “We have Five and Ten, the Last Resort… All different types of restaurants from around here are exhibiting or giving seminars.”

Wine Weekend promotes distributors and local businesses in Athens. The event continues to grow and evolve within the community.

Faulkner says, “All of the different people that have come out to sponsor us has really helped us to give back to those looking to go to college and apply for our scholarship.”

The glasses are now empty, but the future for three high school students is full and bright.

Reporter: Danielle Barker