Keep Your Wedding Green with Domaine Carneros

Keep Your Wedding Green with Sparkling Wine from Domaine Carneros, the First Certified Organic Sparkling Vineyard in the United States

San Francisco, CA March 2009 - From all the organic eats and drinks being offered at restaurants, grocery stores and your local farmers markets, making healthier and environmentally conscious food and beverage choices is more of a priority than ever. So why not toast your special day in a green way?

From the beginning of the property's evolution over 20 years ago, the Domaine Carneros vineyard was farmed sustainably and the move towards 100% organic farming seemed like a logical and necessary progression. In April 2008, Domaine Carneros was certified organic under the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), which gave the winery the distinction of being the first certified organic sparkling winery in the United States.

By serving Domaine Carneros at your wedding, not only will you be serving one of the finest wines from California but also supporting a company whose goals include protecting the earth and its resources. "We've always taken an active role to preserve the health of the land," says Eileen Crane, CEO and Winemaker of Domaine Carneros. "Our first commitment is to produce the best wines and we believe that you achieve this through healthy vines, becoming organic was a natural evolution for us from the start."

Domaine Carneros sparkling wines, all grown from organically farmed grapes, are offered at various price points to meet the needs of betrothed couples. The 2005 Domaine Carneros Brut Vintage, rated 92 points by Wine Spectator, is priced at $26 per bottle, while the Cuvée de la Pompadour Brut Rosé is offered at $36 per bottle. For a luxurious splurge, the 2002 Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs can be purchased at $85 per bottle.  The search for green beverages does not have to end with sparkling wine at Domaine Carneros, they also offer the Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir, which is priced at $32 per bottle.

Domaine Carneros has garnered much press and acclaim not only for their high quality sparkling wines and pinot noirs but also for their commendable green practices. Here are some recent highlights:

• December 2008: San Francisco Chronicle, SF Gate, "Top 100 Wines 2008"
• September 2008: National Geographic Traveler, Intelligent Travel (Blog), "Napa Valley Nostalgia"
• May 2008: Sprig.com, Ask the Expert, "Eileen Crane"

Selecting Domaine Carneros as your sparking wine of choice is not the only way to green your wedding.  Always keep in mind that the key to an eco- and style- conscious wedding is to simplify, reduce, and reuse. One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to send wedding invites on recycled paper. Opt for 100% post consumer waste recycled invitations that are processed without chlorine. Additionally, encourage your guests to recycle their invitations, or have seeds embedded in the paper so that the guests can plant their invitations afterwards. How about a caterer who only uses locally grown organic foods? The quality of the produce is more likely to be better than that of more institutional offering. Another great idea is to donate any extra food to local charities or homeless shelters.  Local charities will be more than glad to come pick up any extras at the end of the reception meaning the only work you have to do is give them a  heads up call.

Supporting local farmers and companies with philosophies you agree with is always a great idea and a momentous occasion such as your wedding should be no exception.

For more information, please visit www.domainecarneros.com or contact Andrew Cha of Charles Communications Associates, LLC at Andrew@charlescomm.com or 415 701 9463 www.charlescomm.com.

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