The third annual Suffolk Wine Festival will take place later this month and once again promises to be a successful fundraiser for several area nonprofit organizations.

The Suffolk Business Women sponsor the festival and in the past two years have raised $106,000 to support local organizations.

“Our main goal is to raise money for the charities,” said Deb Gayle, the wine fest chair.

This year, the wine festival will benefit the Suffolk Education Foundation, ForKids, the Children’s Center, the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk, the Suffolk Ruritan Club and the Suffolk Business Women scholarship fund.

Gayle said ticket sales are up compared to last year, so people are encouraged to buy their tickets soon.

The festival will feature tastings from 12 Virginia wineries and six Virginia craft breweries. Each brewery will feature two types of beer. A limited number of growlers also will be available for purchase and can be pre-ordered on the website.

Eight retail vendors and five food vendors also will be on site.

A new feature this year will be a designated driver wristband, Gayle said. Designated drivers get in at no charge and receive a white wristband. They will not be permitted to drink, but they can shop, eat and hang out with their friends.

“We thought that would encourage people to have a designated driver,” Gayle said.

Gayle said everyone is encouraged to come out to the event.

“The sun’s going to shine,” she said. “It’s going to be a great day.”

The Suffolk Wine Festival is set for 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22. Tastings end at 4:30 p.m.

The former Tidewater Community College campus at 7000 College Drive will be the setting for the event.

Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the gate. For $55, guests can get admission plus a growler.

Tickets are available online or at the following businesses: River Stone Chophouse, Mason’s Smokehouse and Grill, Uncork’d, Farmers Bank, Gwaltney Dental, the Suffolk Visitor Center or Xenith Bank.

For more information, including a list of participating wineries and breweries, visit www.suffolkwinefest.com.