[Columbia, SC] - On Saturday, May 19, as dusk falls on Riverbanks Botanical Garden, wine connoisseurs can sample from 150 domestic and imported wines while exploring the beauty of the Garden. A limited number of tickets will be sold and proceeds support conservation and education efforts at Riverbanks. Tickets can be purchased online at www.riverbanks.org or at the Zoo or Garden entrance.

“This event is a wonderful opportunity for the public to enjoy and explore the Garden at the most beautiful time of the year,” said Satch Krantz, executive director of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “The splendor of the surroundings coupled with great wine and music make this an evening that you definitely do not want to miss.”

Upon entering the Garden, the delightful ambiance will set the stage for the evening. Guests will receive a tasting glass and a wine guide. A short stroll along the Treetops Bridge will lead you through the tranquil Shade Garden into the award-winning Walled Garden. Guests can discover new wines at stations set up throughout the pathways and nibble on delicious delicacies that are offered to complement the wines. Wine professionals will be available to answer questions about each wine’s origin and flavor.

Delicate scents of roses will permeate the air and entice guests into the Old Rose Garden. Riverbanks' Old Rose Garden incorporates old roses with the perennials, annuals, vines and shrubs that complement them. For wine enthusiasts with a green thumb, freshly planted summer annual designs will be on display. It will be a great opportunity to see these plantings in a fledgling stage.

As the wine flows, so will the sound of smooth live jazz by Little Cat Z. The local four-man band, led by vocalist Don Russo, is back by popular demand.

This year the Capital Group of South Carolina is the exclusive wine partner of the Wine Tasting at Riverbanks Botanical Garden. The tasting will take place from 7:00 to 9:30pm on Saturday, May 19. Admission is $40 for Riverbanks members and $50 for the general public; all tickets will be $50 on the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.riverbanks.org or at the Zoo or Garden entrance.

To prolong the evening, Embassy Suites Hotel of Columbia is offering an overnight “Wine Tasting” package. Please call (803) 252-8700 for details.