Mark West Launches "Pinot for the People" Design Contest

Mark West Pinot Noir Launches National "Pinot for the People" Design Contest

Graton, CA, May 4, 2009… In honor of May Day 2009, Mark West Pinot Noir celebrates everyday hard working people with the launch of “Pinot for the People - T-shirt for the People” – a national design contest open to wine enthusiasts, designers and creative minds alike.

Participants are invited to submit their original (and witty!) designs for a special edition t-shirt to debut at the 2009 Pinot Days Wine Tasting Event in San Francisco, which attracts over 2500 wine enthusiasts each year. Mark West’s value driven, high quality Pinot Noir strives to offer the everyday wine drinker a quality wine without the price tag and pretentiousness that often accompanies this “high maintenance” grape. Mark West, known as the “Pinot for the People" - once again asks the consumer to be involved in their wine.

The winning artist will receive a $500 reward and their design will be made into t-shirts worn by and distributed to wine enthusiasts throughout San Francisco and Wine Country. In addition to the award money, the design will be featured on Mark West’s website and shared with the design community at CrowdSpring.com, an online marketplace for creative services. Entrants are welcome to submit as many designs as they would like.

The “Pinot for the People – T-shirt for the People” contest starts Monday, May 4th and ends on May 17th, 2009 at midnight. There is no purchase necessary to participate in this event.  All necessary information - including rules, where to enter, and background information is available online. Visit the Contest or for more information visit our website: www.markwestwines.com.

The winning design will be chosen after May 18th by the Mark West judging panel and announced via our Facebook Fan Page on June 1st, 2009. We will send a follow up email announcing the winner the following week.

About Mark West Pinot Noir
Mark West specializes in producing great value California Pinot Noir with varietal integrity and quality.  Mark West’s Pinot Noir appeals to a wide range of wine drinkers who enjoy an affordable everyday Pinot Noir at home or by the glass in restaurants. Mark West is one of the top five best selling Pinot Noirs in the country and was selected as one of the "Most Popular Pinot Noirs" in the 20th Annual Restaurant Poll in Wine & Spirits Magazine in April 2009. The eco-friendly winery in Graton has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency, granted an Energy Star Award and became an accredited Sonoma County Green Business in 2008.

For more information on Mark West wines and the people behind them, contact Kendall Johnson, Charles Communications Associates, kendall@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.

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