CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – March 4, 2010 – WTCI's Art of Dining Wine Dinner, scheduled May 3rd at 5:30 p.m. at St. John's Restaurant, will have an interesting twist this year. Guests will be able to sample the winning wine from a PBS special, THE WINEMAKERS, which follows a diverse group of twelve men and women through one of the most uniquely challenging and rewarding professions in the world: the business of making wine. The six-episode series will air Saturdays beginning April 3 at 2:30 p.m., providing an opportunity for the community to learn about one of the wines they will be served at this multi-course dinner.

“The Art of Dining has become a highly anticipated annual tradition that offers a relaxed atmosphere of celebration and is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Paul Grove, WTCI President and CEO. “We wanted to make the event even more special during our 40th anniversary year by featuring the winning wine from the PBS series, THE WINEMAKERS. This event provides friends of WTCI a unique  opportunity to explore the fine points of pairing food and wine while at the same time helping WTCI continue to provide quality programming and services to the community.”

Also new to the wine dinner this year: guests will have an opportunity to purchase an "instant cellar" of featured wines from the dinner, including the winning wine from THE WINEMAKERS.

The wine dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m. at St. John’s Restaurant, one of Chattanooga's most acclaimed restaurants. It will feature fresh and elegant cuisine prepared by St. John’s Restaurant’s very own Chef Daniel Lindley. To reserve your table, call 423-702-7808. Reservations for this event are $150 per person, and corporate tables are also available. A special Chef’s table is available for $175 a person and will include the opportunity for a VIP discussion with St. John’s wine steward.

WTCI’s Art of Dining will take you on a tour through time, cuisine and delicious wine during this finely prepared five course event. Seating is limited - reserve your tickets today.  Click Here to reserve you tickets online now.

About THE WINEMAKERS

THE WINEMAKERS follows a diverse group of twelve men and women through one of the most uniquely challenging and rewarding professions in the world: the business of making wine. Over the course of six half-hour episodes, this real-life cast of characters will experience every aspect of the wine industry from the ground up — with one goal in mind — to win the chance to launch their own wine brand. A Public Television first, join us as our fearless contestants undergo a series of grueling challenges devised by real world winemakers, as well as top chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs and industry leaders. And they'll be judged every step of the way, by some of the toughest critics around: a "who's who" of real experts in the realm of food and wine. The stakes are high and the competition is fierce. But in the end, only one will earn the title they all aspire to: "The Winemaker". The series will air Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. on WTCI, beginning April 3.

Get your tickets online now.