The Vine 2 Wine Classic – the rebirth of the Santa Clarita Valley Wine Classic, coupled with the former Vine 2 Wine event – will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Activities Center. The event benefits Circle of Hope, a local nonprofit that supports breast cancer patients and their families.

The single admission price of $75 in advance ($95 at the door, if tickets are still available) entitle attendees to unlimited tastings of hundreds of outstanding wines poured by about 50 wineries, as well as dozens of famous library wines and a terrific selection of excellent brews, served in the beer garden; as well as a gourmet buffet dinner, live music, souvenir crystal wine glasses and more. A silent auction will feature outstanding wines and gifts.

Discounted tickets will soon be available for designated drivers. The event till include a table of terrific non-alcoholic beverages.

The evening will feature tastes of some rare vintages including an amazing 1853 port wine –  Withwham’s Reserve King Pedro V Millennium Port – in cask for almost 150 years and bottled in 2001. Tastes of this beauty will be available to the first 30 lucky people who donate an extra $100 to the Circle of Hope for the opportunity.

Tickets are available at www.vine2wineclassic.com.  The event is expected to sell out, so reserve your tickets in advance.

Wineries interested in marketing their products at the event should contact Jeff Jacobson at jeffreyljacobson@hotmail.com. There’s no charge for wineries to pour and market their wines to and upscale crowd, and the event will be licensed for you to take sales orders. More than 700 people are expected.

Wine-knowledgeable volunteer pourers are also needed. Pourers’ tickets are half price $37.50), and pourers must be screened (e-mail Jeff Jacobson).

The Circle of Hope needs additional volunteers to assist with the event. Visit  http://circleofhopeinc.org/events/vine2wineclassic or call 661-254-5218.

Founded in 2004, the Circle of Hope is a Santa Clarita Valley charity that has assisted local uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients and their families with financial, emotional and educational support.