Las Vegas Weekly

Wine + Lifehouse = potential for mass PDA

What began as a simple celebration of wine and good music has blossomed into one of the most anticipated annual summer events in Las Vegas. The Rock ‘N Roll Wine Amplified Festival is back for another massive pool party paring the fruit of the vine with rock, two things that owners Sonny Barton and Chris Hammond love dearly.

Based on the pre-sales, this event at Mandalay Bay Beach should be the biggest yet with a record number of wineries participating. Guests can sample more than 150 wines from 50 wineries as they dance to the sounds of Lifehouse at Mandalay Bay Beach.

“We want to pick a band that appeals to the broadest group possible because we draw a pretty diverse group of individuals to our events,” RNR Wine co-owner Chris Hammond explained. “We want to make sure the bands we choose will please them.“

So, you won’t be seeing Slipknot or Slayer on the ticket anytime soon. Wine drinking at an outdoor pool party is probably best paired with more mellow tunes like those from past performers Sugar Ray and The Gin Blossoms. Hammond, a big Lifehouse fan, thinks the band will be a great fit for the event.

In addition to the headliner, RNR Wine has amassed an impressive roster of local and visiting opening bands, including local singer/songwriter Nick Motil, a former mainstay at Margaritaville at the Flamingo, The Tender Box from LA and One Tree Hill’s Tyler Hilton.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing The Tender Box,” Hammond said, “We brought them out to do one of our events in January. … After the success of the January event they played, it was a no-brainer to bring them back in.”

In addition, this year’s fest will have DJ Robert Oleysyck spinning in the lagoon area.

Hammond explained, “We want to keep the energy high in all areas.”

Some wineries on Hammond’s not-to-be-missed list include Kim Crawford, Davis Bynum and Michael David. Rock ‘n Roll Wine also has their own line of wines including two new wines this year.

“We just released our newest vintage of our Reggae Rhapsody about two months ago, the 2007. It’s a blend of six different grapes. The Grotto is a 2006 four grape red blend.”

When asked if he expects a massive public make out session when the crowd hears Lifehouse’s “Hanging by a Moment,” Hammond responded, “If everybody’s has a couple glasses of wine, then I think that’s a definite possibility.”

With all the wine and sentimental music from Lifehouse, I sense a small spike in the local birth rate around mid June of 2010.