Wine Week 2009 will start in Pennsylvania on April 30 and feature three tasting festivals showcasing the world's most renowned wines and new varieties.

The week comprises the seventh annual Pittsburgh Wine Festival on April 30, the second annual Wine Festival in Hershey on May 1, and the eighth annual Philadelphia Wine Festival on May 2.

Proceeds from the festivals, in which culinary celebrities will also participate, will benefit healthcare institutions in each city.

"More than 150 winemakers, pouring 400 different wines, will attend the festivals this year," says Patrick Stapleton III, chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

"Their presence is a testimonial to the savvy consumers of Pennsylvania who want the world's best and most interesting wines to be available to them," he says.

Highlights of the tastings will include an exclusive preview of Penfold's Grange 2004 Shiraz from Australia and Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet and Joseph Phelps Insignia from California.

Pennsylvania is also a top destination for history enthusiasts as the place where the nation was born and where the Civil War's biggest battle was fought.

The state offers numerous attractions and activities that visitors can enjoy including U.S. Brig Niagara, the Ephrata Cloister and the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

The state capital Harrisburg is also home to the famous Farm Show featuring more than 200 events each year such as PA Garden Expo or Auto Boat Show.