Utica Zoo’s 17th annual Wine in the Wilderness fundraising event is Saturday, June 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Utica Zoo. Sample and purchase New York state wines, featuring a limited edition chardonnay by Mohawk Valley Winery with a custom Utica Zoo label.
Sample beers from Saranac Brewery or purchase wine slushies. You can look forward to live music by Simple Props and Remsen Social Club. The first 2,000 attendees will receive a free commemorative wine glass brought to you by Mohawk Valley Winery.
Designated drivers do not get a wine glass and will not be served alcohol.
Utica Zoo admission and light snacks are also included with ticket purchase. Additional farmers’ market vendors and food trucks will be on site. Wine in the Wilderness is a rain-or-shine event, and you must be 21 or older with photo ID to get in. Sponsored by: Mohawk Valley Winery, Bank of Utica, Townsquare Media, and PJ Green. All proceeds benefit the Utica Zoo.
Ticket prices:
General Admission: $35 in advance and $40 at the door
Utica Zoo Members: $30 in advance and $35 at the door – Member tickets are only available at the Utica Zoo gift shop and Eventbrite.com. Members can use their email as the promotional code on Eventbrite.com to get the member discount.
Designated Drivers: $20 in advance and at the door. Designated driver tickets to do not get a wine glass and will not be served alcohol at the event.
Tickets locations: UticaZoo.org/wine, Eventbrite.com, Utica Zoo Gift Shop, Mohawk Valley Winery, Bremer’s Wine & Liquor, City Liquors, Clinton Wine & Spirits, Seneca Wine & Liquor, Lotto Liquors, Liquor Loft, Ilion Wine & Spirits, Lichtmans Wine & Liquor, Rock’s Liquors, Village Liquors, Valley Wine & Liquor, and Yorkville Liquors.
Parking: Free parking at the Utica Zoo with free overflow parking at MVCC Payne Hall parking lot and the Parkway Rec Center. Shuttle buses will take you to and from the zoo at no cost. Attendees may be dropped off and picked up at the zoo. Free cab rides home brought to you by Martin, Harding & Mazzotti by calling 1-800-LAW-1010 at the zoo.
NYS Wineries: Mohawk Valley Winery, Ashley Lynn Winery, Crooked Lake Winery, Domhnall Vineyards Winery, Idol Ridge Winery, Lakeland Winery, Montezuma Winery, Pazdar Winery, Prospect Falls Winery, Stone Age Winery, Thousand Islands Winery, Warwick Valley Wine Co, Victorianburg Wine Estates, Yellow Barn Winery. More wineries may be added before the event takes place. For updated information, please visit UticaZoo.org/wine.
Food: light snacks are included with your ticket purchase and the following food trucks will be on site as well: Holy Smoques BBQ Fusion, Gypsy Lady Pizza, and Gyros from the Grapevine.
Zoo Hours: Please note that the Utica Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on this day and will reopen at 6 p.m. for the event.