Global Series of Exclusive Wine Experiences to Feature Top Rated Wines from Around the World on Saturday, February 20, 2016 Robert Parker Wine Advocate (RobertParker.com), considered the world’s most recognized authority on wine, is bringing its Matter of Taste tour to New York City on Saturday, February 20th at the elegant Mandarin Oriental hotel as part of a global series of exclusive events for RobertParker.com members and guests.   A no-holds-barred wine tasting experience, Matter of Taste New York is built around an all-star cast of Wine Advocate Reviewers and 150+ of their favorite wines. The globe-trotting Matter of Taste walkabout tastings have celebrated different regional themes with each city, but the wine focus of New York’s installment will be “Reviewers’ Choice: Icon Wines of the World.” All eight reviewers on the publication’s expert team – led by Robert M. Parker Jr. himself – have nominated their favorite finds from throughout the wine world to feature at New York’s Matter of Taste, all of which have been scored 90 points or above.   Events will include a VIP preview hour, the grand walk-around tasting as well as a selection of rare wine Master Classes. There will also be range of intimate, exclusive dinners on offer on the days surrounding the events, at some of New York City’s most feted and sumptuous restaurants.   Held from 2pm-6 pm in the grand Ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the walkabout will include an unrivaled line-up of some of the world’s most incredible wines, spanning a vast range of grapes, regions and styles. Rock star winemakers will be pouring their wines, including iconic names such as: Château Pontet-Canet (Pauillac), Château Haut-Bailly (Pessac-Leognan), Verite (California), Cayuse (Washington), Clarenden Hills (Australia), Cullen (Australia), Greywacke (NZ), Kumeu River (NZ), Niepoort (Portugal), Fontodi (Tuscany), JJ Prum (Germany) and Marcus Molitor (Germany) – just to name a few!   Three Master Classes will be offered onsite throughout the day of the grand tasting.  Estate Director Don Weaver and winemaker Cory Empting will host a seminar on Harlan Estate, often referred to as California’s “First Growth”. A Master Class featuring Lokoya will focus on a library selection of vintages from the famed winery’s mountain appellations, hosted by Lokoya winemaker Chris Carpenter. Vintage Port enthusiasts will enjoy “A Century of Colheitas, The Jewel of Ports,” during which Wine Advocate reviewer Mark Squires will take guests through a century of his favorite Colheitas including the legendary Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman’s 1863. A complete list of featured wines as well as tickets for both the Grand Tasting and all the Master Classes are available at a-matter-of-taste.com/.   “Matter of Taste is our way of saying a heartfelt thank you to our members who we know are the most passionate & knowledgeable wine lovers on the planet,” said Wine Advocate Editor-in-Chief Lisa Perrotti-Brown. “It’s a tasting for members to experience world-class wines in an entirely new way while meeting the winemakers and estate owners who craft them. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to welcome new members into the world of The Wine Advocate.”   The Matter of Taste series commenced in 2014 and has since traveled to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London, Chicago, Miami, Manila, Jakarta and San Francisco. Following New York, the tour will head back to London on April 21, 2016.   Annual members of eRobertParker.com are entitled to discounted tickets ($120) to the Matter of Taste Grand Tasting. Non-member tickets are $180 and include a one-year membership to eRobertParker.com and access to over 400,000 professional wine reviews and articles. All Master Classes are $180 each. Tickets may be booked during the pre-sale window from December 16th 12 Noon EST until December 23rd 12 Noon EST, for $120.  General ticket sales will commence from December 23rd at 12 Noon EST onward. Further details and booking information are available at a-matter-of-taste.com/.     About Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate           For more than 35 years, The Wine Advocate, and later RobertParker.com, has been the global leader and independent consumer’s guide to fine wine. The brand was established by world-famous Robert M. Parker, Jr., the only critic in any field to receive the highest Presidential honor from three countries – France, Italy and Spain. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate provides a wealth of information to its subscribers, including a searchable database of more than 400,000 professional wine ratings and reviews plus articles, videos, daily news content, online retail availability and pricing, an active, professionally moderated bulletin board, a mobile app for easy access to the comprehensive online database of reviews, and much more. For more information, visit http://www.RobertParker.com.   For Media Queries please contact:         Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren Charles Communications Associates +1 (415) 701-9463 press@charlescomm.com  

Lodi growers vote overwhelmingly to continue funding of the region’s marketing, education and research commission The California Department of Food & Agriculture announced last week that the Lodi Winegrape Commission referendum passed with 90.2% of the region’s growers voting in favor of continuation.   Local growers first voted to fund the Lodi Winegrape Commission in 1991 and every 5 years growers have the opportunity to vote on continuation of the Commission’s efforts. The Commission in turn collects an annual assessment on the gross value of the winegrape crop to fund its activities. The mission of the Commission is to serve the common interests of all California Grape Crush District 11 winegrape producers and to enhance the profitability and visibility of winegrape production through marketing and promotion of Lodi winegrapes, viticultural research, sustainable viticulture, and grower and public education.   The Commission represents almost 800 winegrowers farming nearly 110,000 acres of winegrapes and has successfully moved the Lodi region forward as a high-quality, environmentally sound production area.   The Commission’s objectives are to: Raise awareness of the Lodi winegrape production region among "influentials" -- the wine trade, the press and consumers. Enhance recognition of the Lodi region through expanded use of the Lodi appellation on wine labels, by facilitating development of wineries in the district and by supporting wine-oriented tourism. Provide growers with information, materials, education and strategies directed at profit improvement. Facilitate two/way communication among growers and vintners concerning characteristics of quality that enhance value of grapes and wine. Create opportunities for Lodi- growers to supply vintners serving higher retail price segments, improving the relative value of their grapes in the California market. Conduct a proactive viticultural research program to maintain Lodi technological and viticultural leadership in the winegrape industry. Identify and encourage implementation of environmentally benign and economically viable pest, weed, disease and cultural strategies through the district-wide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.   This latest endorsement comes during an exciting year for Lodi. In 2015 alone, Lodi was selected to host the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference and, most recently, was awarded Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s prestigious Wine Star Award for Wine Region of the Year.   The Lodi Wine & Visitor’s Center and Commission website received a significant facelift in 2015 (showcasing the release of a well-received promotional video encapsulating some of highlights of the region). Additionally, the Commission also provides growers a resourceful and informative industry focused website, www.lodigrowers.com.   Other highlights of the last five years have included the launch of the highly successful LoCA consumer marketing campaign, the Lodi Rules™ for Sustainable Winegrowing program winning the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award in 2014 and increased leadership in the industry through participation and support of industry organizations such as the National Grape & Wine Initiative, American Vineyard Foundation, Unified Wine & Grape Symposium and others. “Through the vision, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit shown by the growers of the Lodi winegrowing region, the Commission is well positioned to be an industry leader in terms of meeting its mission of promoting and supporting Lodi grapes for many years to come,” said Camron King, Executive Director.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the Lodi wine region features 110,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.   With more than 75 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long known as a superior producer of Zinfandel, including an estimated 2,000 acres of pre-Prohibition own rooted vines, the area also produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay. More recently, Lodi has begun producing varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others.   Lodi has been a major winegrape growing region since the 1850’s, and today is farmed by over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.  In addition, Lodi is one of the leading wine regions in sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which implements green-farming practices.   For more information about the Lodi wine region, please visit www.lodiwine.com.   For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional information regarding the Lodi Winegrape Commission, please contact Executive Director, Camron King, at 209|327-4727 or camron@lodiwine.com.

Now open to the public, consumers are invited to tour the winery and taste current releases   Emeritus Vineyards is pleased to announce the completion of the winery’s new tasting room. Located just two miles north of Sebastopol, in the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, the new space overlooks the Emeritus Hallberg Ranch vineyard: one of California’s most distinguished dry-farmed vineyards, and the site from which the winery crafts the #1 requested Pinot Noir in America’s Zagat rated restaurants.¹   The spacious new addition features wall-to-wall glass doors which open onto a wide terrace, enabling the former apple barn, now the Emeritus winery, to showcase the 110-acre Hallberg Ranch, a vineyard, that is becoming a living symbol of successful drought–resistant viticulture in California. Proprietor Brice Cutrer Jones is a firm believer that dry-farming techniques produce “the only honest reflection of a vineyard’sterroir.” Having just harvested his his fifth 100% dry-farmed vintage, Jones has received widespread acclaim for the Emeritus wines, for which he credits the dry–farming regime.   In addition to Wine & Spirits listing Emeritus in its 2015 ‘Top 100 Wine’ list,  Sunset Magazine dedicated a recent feature to Emeritus entitled “Less Water, Better Wine?” and Wine Spectator included the winery’s Hallberg Ranch Estate Pinot Noir as #26 on its ‘100 Most Exciting Wines of 2014’ list.   Situated on the famed Gold Ridge of the Russian River Valley (the eight-mile ridge known for its ideal soils and excellent micro–climate for Pinot Noir), the sleek, yet understated new tasting room appropriately keeps the focus on the breathtaking vineyard views. To build off the property’s agricultural legacy as a pre–Prohibition vineyard, turned apple orchard, and stay true to the land, Emeritus collaborated with FORS Architecture to combine the building’s heritage with a more modern aesthetic. The tasting room’s design plays on the building’s past as an apple processing facility, incorporating repurposed antique utilities from the orchard days. Emeritus worked with local Glass Architects to develop the building design, allowing visitors to experience views of both the vineyard as well as of the working cellar.   While the Emeritus hallmark hospitality remains unchanged, there is also much that has been inaugurated to ensure visitors are met with a feeling of intimacy with the space and its staff. Seating is private and personalized, with space both indoors and outdoors. Large groups can be accommodated as well. With its repurposed local furniture sourced from antique stores in Sebastopol and private lounge ambiance, the new space exudes rustic, elegance, juxtaposed with a streamlined modern flair.  A style reflective of those hallmark qualities in the unique Emeritus Estate Pinot Noirs.   Tasting appointments are suggested, though not required. Tours and any group larger than six people require a prior appointment. Tasting experiences range from $15/person for a flight of Emeritus single–vineyard estate wines (45 minutes), or with an advance appointment one can take a vineyard and winery tour before a tasting for $25/person (90 minutes).   The Emeritus winery and tasting room is open seven days a week from 10 am-3:30 pm, and is located on the Hallberg Ranch Estate at 2500 Gravenstein Highway North in Sebastopol. Make an appointment online or call Emeritus at 707-823-9463 for reservations.   About Emeritus Vineyards and Brice Cutrer Jones Emeritus Vineyards, is located two miles north of Sebastopol, California, in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Established in 1999, the winery is defined by a commitment to producing noble Pinot Noir of the most distinctive quality. Wines are crafted around proprietor Brice Cutrer Jones’s philosophy that soil gives wine its character, climate gives wine its personality, and man gives the wine its spirit (or style). The result is three Estate Grown and Bottled Pinot Noirs: Hallberg Ranch, from the home ranch in the heart of the Russian River Valley; Pinot Hill, from the Sonoma Coast (Sebastopol Hills/Wind Gap area); and William Wesley, from the mountain vineyards on the Sonoma Coast near Annapolis.   For press inquiries and images, please contact Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.    ¹ According to the 2015 Wine & Spirits Magazine restaurant poll.

At Wine Enthusiast’s annual Wine Star Awards in New York City January 2016 Lodi to be named the 2015 “Wine Region of the Year”   The Lodi Winegrape Commission is excited to announce that Lodi has been named “Wine Region of the Year” by the Wine Enthusiast, one of the world's most well regarded publications dedicated to wine, spirits, food and travel. The announcement was made this morning, with the actual award to be presented at the Wine Star Awards on January 25th - the publication’s annual black-tie gala dinner at the New York Public Library in New York City.  Each year since 2000, the editors of Wine Enthusiast have honored individuals, companies, regions and organizations whose vision has impacted the wine and spirits industries with their coveted Wine Star Awards. Wine Enthusiast’s stated purpose for the “Wine Region of the Year” award “is to recognize not only excellence in wine quality, but also innovation and excitement coupled with the courage to take risks and the skill to succeed.” With the “Wine Region of the Year” award, Lodi is recognized in good international company in the category with previous recipients including New York State, Paso Robles, Ribera del Duero, Colchagua Valley, Mendoza, Alexander Valley, Rioja, and the Rhône Valley.   “Being named Wine Region of the Year is exciting for Lodi as it recognizes the historic and ongoing commitment by our winegrowers, winemakers and Lodi wine region fans to grow, make, promote and enjoy amazing world-class wines from our region.” said Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “Lodi has been supplying winegrapes to wineries for generations and is emerging in its own right as a world-class wine producing region focused on heritage, innovation and our commitment to place and people through our leadership in sustainability. The future for the Lodi wine region is brighter than ever and all of our growers, winemakers and community are thrilled to be honored with this award and recognition.”   The other nominees for the 2015 “Wine Region of the Year” were Marlborough, New Zealand; Russian River Valley, California; Sicily, Italy; and Walla Walla, Washington.    About Lodi, California  Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 110,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.     A major winegrape growing region since the 1850s, today Lodi boasts over 750 growers. The region owes much of its recent success to the increase in critical and consumer attention paid to Lodi-designate wines. Known for its high quality winegrapes, Lodi was always a winegrowing region first – known best for specializing in viticulture and sustainability practices and selling its highly-coveted winegrapes to wineries and wine companies in Napa, Sonoma, and California’s Central Valley. However, the past 10-15 years has seen astronomical growth in demand for Lodi wines, as well as in tourism to the wine region, incentivizing winegrowers to hold on to larger percentages of their crop for craft production under their own labels. The result has been a dramatic shift in quality perception, with explosive growth enhanced by a friendly business culture that emphasizes collaboration, community and innovation.   Today, Lodi is home to over 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at both domestic and international wine competitions.  In addition, Lodi is one of the leading wine regions when it comes to sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which recently won Governor Jerry Brown’s annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) - the highest environmental award in the state of California -  for its mission to address major environmental, economic and social challenges facing California agricultural industry.    With more than 100 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long renowned for its high-quality Zinfandel production, including an estimated 2,000 acres of pre-Prohibition own rooted vines, the area also produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay. More recently, Lodi has been gaining consumer traction for its other exciting varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Kerner, Gewürztraminer, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others.   2015 has seen a tremendous swell of support and recognition for the Lodi wine region. In addition to the prestigious GEELA award, Lodi was also selected in August 2015 to be the host for the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference, the pre-eminent gathering of hundreds of wine bloggers and wine writing professionals who come together for educational sessions, networking and social gathering.  For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com. For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.    

           With an exhilarating year of impressive growth and ensuing accolades behind them, Brian and Stephy Terrizzi, founders of Broadside Wines, will mark their first anniversary with Dennis Carroll and his Wine Hooligans portfolio of artisan wine brands.   Broadside Wines – led by its highly acclaimed flagship wine, the single vineyard Margarita Cabernet from Paso Robles – partnered with Wine Hooligans one year ago with the intention of expanding distribution across the county and developing an everyday affordable Cabernet from Paso Robles.   During the last year, 30 markets have been added and a 2013 Paso Robles Cabernet introduced across the country.    The reception has been overwhelming: The Paso Robles Cabernet was just named one of Eric Asimov’s Fall Wine: 20 Under $20 in the New York Times while Ray Isle of Food & Wine included it in his 15 Great Summer Wine Values list.  It was the only California Cabernet on either publication’s list.  Wine Enthusiast gave the Paso Cabernet a ‘best value’ designation and 88 points, while the wine also received a Gold Medal from the Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition in its inaugural vintage. A remarkable series of accolades for a new wine.    About Broadside Wines   Broadside’s aim is to bring value to the world of boutique, hand-made wine. Founders Brian and Stephy Terrizzi are committed to bringing their luxury craft-winemaking experience to the everyday table, rejecting the notion that great wines can only be enjoyed at a premium. When they parted ways with their former partner last year, it allowed the Terrizzis to bring on a new collaborator in Dennis Carroll and his Wine Hooligans.   The Wine Hooligans infrastructure and financial backing has allowed the Terrizzis to make an even bolder statement in quality/price ratio. "Our original wine, the Broadside Margarita Cabernet, has received an overwhelmingly positive response over the years, and though it over-delivers for the price, at over twenty dollars it’s still a special occasion wine for most consumers," says Brian. "With this new investment from the Hooligans’ team we now can produce our Broadside Paso Robles Cabernet, a wine that a larger segment of the population can enjoy on a regular basis. It's gratifying to be able to produce a wine of character that restaurants can pour by the glass for $10 or less and consumers can find for around $15 a bottle." Stephy's ten years of experience managing vineyards all over Paso Robles has helped her to find the many interesting and overlooked vineyards that the Terrizzis use in crafting this wine.   Carroll added, “At Wine Hooligans, we believe artisan brands are made by talented artists.  Brian and Stephy have used their deep roots in Paso Robles and their talent to create a wonderful Cabernet that can be enjoyed every day.  We are happy to play a role in helping expand distribution of this unique brand.”   In keeping with the Broadside name (as well as the Terrizzis’ shared love of literature), the brand is an ardent supporter of the literary arts, as official wine sponsor for the San Francisco based literary festival Litquake, as well as of Zyzzyva, one of the nations top journals of the arts and letters.    About Wine Hooligans Wine Hooligans, LLC was created by wine industry veteran Dennis Carroll together with an expert team of artisan winemakers.  Positioned as a passionate disruptor of conventional wine marketing and sales, Wine Hooligans is a brand acquisition and development company, which brings people, places and products together to make exceptional wines in a wide variety of categories.  The portfolio consists of Cycles Gladiator, Sea Monster, Broadside, Goyette and Stephen Vincent.  More information can be found at www.winehooligans.com. 

  Global Series of Exclusive Wine Experiences to Feature Top Rated Wines from California, Oregon and New Zealand on Saturday, November 14, 2015     San Francisco, CA (October 8, 2015) – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (eRobertParker.com), the world’s most recognized authority on wine, is bringing its inaugural Matter of Taste tour to San Francisco on Saturday, November 14th at the elegant Palace Hotel, as part of a global series of exclusive events for eRobertParker.com members and guests.   A no-holds-barred wine tasting experience, Matter of Taste San Francisco is built around 150 of the most iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays of California, Oregon and New Zealand, as well as cult-classic Rhone blends from California’s original Rhone Ranger pioneers. Each featured wine is rated 90+ points by The Wine Advocate and hand-picked by Editor in Chief, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, and Reviewer Jeb Dunnuck.   Taking a connoisseur's look at ‘The New World Across Terroirs’, Matter of Taste San Francisco offers a chance to compare and contrast winemaking styles and terroirs, demonstrating how these noble grapes thrive in some of the New World’s most significant wine regions. The Grand Tasting will be held from 1:00pm – 6:00pm at the Palace Hotel in downtown San Francisco, and will provide eRobertParker.commembers and guests with the opportunity to get up close and personal with the vintners behind some of the world's most extraordinary wines in a casual walk-around tasting atmosphere.   In addition to the Grand Tasting, three exclusive Master Classes will be offered for those who wish to delve a bit deeper. Perrotti-Brown will host ‘Single Vineyard Chardonnay,’ featuring 12 classic (RP 92–99) wines, including examples from Kumeu River, Paul Hobbs, Morlet and nine other producers. Perrotti-Brown will also moderate ‘Pinot Noir Across Terroir,’ including ten excellent (RP 93-98) scoring wines from Rippon, Kistler, Paul Lato and Calera. A special ‘Rhone Titans of California’ Master Class, will be co-hosted by John Alban (of Alban Vineyards) and Jeb Dunnuck, and will also include Andy Smith of DuMOL Wines, Allison Tauziet of Colgin Cellars and Justin Smith of Saxum Vineyards. A complete list of featured wines as well as tickets for both the Grand Tasting and all three Master Classes are available at a-matter-of-taste.com/.   “Matter of Taste is our way of saying a heartfelt thank you to our members who we know are the most knowledgeable wine lovers on the planet,” said Perrotti-Brown. “It’s a tasting for members to experience world-class wines in an entirely new way while meeting the winemakers and estate owners who craft them. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to welcome new members into the world of Robert Parker.”   The Matter of Taste series commenced in 2014 with events in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur followed in 2015 by London, Chicago and Miami. Following San Francisco, the tour will travel to New York City on February 20, 2016, featuring ‘Iconic Wines of the World: Reviewers’ Choice.’     Annual members of eRobertParker.com are entitled to discounted tickets ($50) to the Matter of Taste Grand Tasting. Non-member tickets ($99) include a one-year membership to eRobertParker.com and access to over 500,000 professional wine reviews and articles. All Master Classes are $80. Further details and booking information are available at a-matter-of-taste.com/.   About Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate            For more than 35 years, The Wine Advocate, and later RobertParker.com, has been the global leader and independent consumer’s guide to fine wine. The brand was established by world-famous Robert M. Parker, Jr., the only critic in any field to receive the highest Presidential honor from three countries – France, Italy and Spain. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate provides a wealth of information to its subscribers, including a searchable database of more than 500,000 professional wine ratings and reviews plus articles, videos, daily news content, online retail availability and pricing, an active, professionally moderated bulletin board, a mobile app for easy access to the comprehensive online database of reviews, and much more. For more information, visit http://www.eRobertParker.com.   For More Information:         Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren Charles Communications Associates +1 (415) 701-9463 press@charlescomm.com

San Francisco, CA - Cycles Gladiator, historically a top selling extreme value portfolio of California appellated wines, is rolling out a new look with the 2014 vintage. Acquired in 2013 by the sales & marketing start up Wine Hooligans, Cycles’ evocative and iconic label of a winsome naked red-headed beauty with her bicycle, has returned to accompany its original winemaker, Adam LaZarre. Cycles has put into gear a more focused appellation program with long term contract grape growers in the Central Coast and has a portfolio that includes Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot and Pinot Noir. The updated label was the initiative of Head Hooligan Dennis Carroll together with multiple award-winning winemaker LaZarre who aimed to revitalize the wine quality along with its branding. The updated label design brings back the provocative beauty, who was previously de-emphasized on the label. Originally conceived during the Belle Epoque period in Paris, the poster was created by one of many bicycle companies who advertised the newfound freedom from domesticity that women found through access to the bicycle.   Wine Hooligans and Carroll have now restored the label to its former glory, bringing the image back to its original size and focusing production on the versatile and quality driven Californian Central Coast. Trade clientele of Wine Hooligans have praised the revitalized look.  Lee Christopher of Bottles and Barrels, a division of Kentucky Eagle has stated, “Cycles Gladiator is back where it belongs, in the capable hands of Adam LaZarre. I met Adam in 2003 and the wines he made were incredible back then. The new label is fantastic and consumer reaction has been really positive.  Now that Adam has been reunited with the “Lady on the Bicycle” I couldn’t be happier to be back in business with my friend again.” Dave Robertson of Paustis Distributors in Minnesota shares, “The new label is not only cleaner and easier to read, but sales have picked up since we introduced it back into the market. The wine quality definitely showcases Adam’s talents.” Production’s return to its Central Coast roots, where the Paso Robles-based LaZarre lives, has brought winegrowing and winemaking all under one roof.  LaZarre ensures that each vineyard is hand-picked at the most ideal time. He brings small production detail to larger scale production. The wines have already shown great promise winning gold medals at the 2015 Sunset Magazine and Long Beach Grand Cru wine competitions, along with a Best Buy from the Wine Enthusiast. Originally conceived as a brand  in 2005, LaZarre, a former non-commissioned officer in the Navy with 20 years of winemaking experience, created Cycles Gladiator with the mindset to “produce really great wines that taste two to three times the price, [knowing] that, on any given night, someone somewhere is enjoying my wine.” That is still the wines’ credo today. Dennis Carroll brings over 20 years of sales and marketing as well as operational experience to his newly formed companyWine Hooligans. As the former President of Purple Wine Company, Carroll was responsible for building and shaping such household brand names as Mark West, Avalon and Four Vines. His most recent endeavor Wine Hooligans, seeks to create and reinvent artisan wine brands to reach wine lovers all over. To do so, Carroll has gathered four wine makers and five different brands under the Hooligans umbrella, those include Cylces Gladiator, Sea Monster, Broadside, Goyette and Stephen Vincent.  More information can be found at www.winehooligans.com.  

San Francisco, CA, August 25th 2015-  Charles Communications Associations is an independent creative marketing communications firm focused on media, marketing and branding that helps local and global companies create, build and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective firms particularly in the international wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. Realizing the constantly growing potential of new media as marketing platforms, Charles Communications develops and executes strategies for clients driven by an in-depth understanding and experience with social network sites, blogs and other platforms.   We are seeking a fall and/or winter intern at our agency and are accepting resumes of qualified candidates. Criteria are included here:   Opportunities Available: Fall/Winter 2015 Internship Available    Job Description: We are looking for a part time intern (3-4 days a week) who can work at our hip downtown Financial District #FiDi San Francisco office and who will jump in and contribute to our smart, fast paced team. We need a smart, detail oriented, resourceful individual who is self-motivated, not afraid to ask questions, enthusiastic, and willing to learn.  Responsibilities: Be familiar with CCA’s clients and our general marketing strategies Assist with CCA’s social media channels Work on client projects as needed such as event support, social media, research, press releases and more Assist with general office operations Qualifications: Familiarity with Macs & Excel in particular Up-to-date on the latest social media trends and social media savvy in a variety of channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc. THIS IS KEY -we want STRONG STRATEGIC experience in social Timeliness, attention to detail and accuracy are key to this position Excellent written & verbal communications skills Ability to work well with others while also running projects independently at times Applicants must have at least 1 prior internship in an agency environment Takes ownership of each task, being thoughtful and thorough in execution Familiarity of CisionPoint, MailChimp, and Vertical Response is a plus! Knowledge of the food & wine industry   Highly motivated and eager to learn   Compensation: This internship offers a combination of school credit and a bi-weekly stipend. Several of our internships in the past have resutled in full time employment.    To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter, along with the answers the following questions:   1.     What most interests you about working in Marketing? 2.     What are the top 5 media outlets you read in your free time and why? 3.     What is the most recent memorable food and/or wine experience and what made it so?   For further information and background, visit our website at www.charlescomm.com. Also visit our blog at www.alltheswirl.com, our page on Facebook, follow us on Twitter at @CharlesComm or on Instagram @AlltheSwirl.   ###

San Francisco, CA – As we at Charles Communications Associates (CCA) prepare to welcome September, we would like to share our quarterly current client roster as well as some exciting staffing updates:   The list of CCA’s current clients is as follows:   The Bank of Wine & Spirits at Wingtip, San Francisco, CA* Broadside Wines, Paso Robles, CA Cycles Gladiator Wines, Central Coast, CA Emeritus Vineyards, Sebastopol, CA Hourglass Vineyards, Napa, CA Huneeus Vintners, Chile, South America Matter of Taste, Nationwide, USA 2015-2016 Parallel Wines, Napa Valley, CA Popelouchum Crowdfunding Project with Randall Grahm, San Juan Bautista, CA* SakéOne, Forest Grove, OR SherryFest, New York, NY The Lodi Winegrape Commission, Lodi, CA The Wines of Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay Wine Hooligans, Paso Robles, CA Temecula Olive Oil Company, Temecula, CA* *Denotes new as of our last quarterly announcement   Additionally, CCA would like to announce the appointment of Ana Roselli, as Account Coordinator starting October 6th.  Ana recently completed her MBA in Social Venture/CSR and hails from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and in addition to her work as a key part of the account team, she will help focus on growing the socially responsible client base.    Please feel free to reach out to either Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren via email at press@charlescomm.com or by phone at (415) 701-9463.   About Charles Communications Associates Founded in 2003, Charles Communications Associates, LLC (CCA) is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm based in San Francisco, California, that helps local and global companies create, build, and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective marketing firms in the wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural, and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. In 2013, CCA formed a strategic alliance with Cornerstone Communications Ltd in New York City to better provide clients with contacts and a network in two of the most important media and wine markets in the country.     ###

***MEDIA ALERT***   Lodi Celebrates 2015 Harvest with Sip Savor Lodi The 2nd annual three day festival to include an al fresco harvest dinner in downtown Lodi, cellar tours and special events at 35+ Lodi wineries   WHO:  Presented by LoCA - The Wines of Lodi, CA and Lodi Appellation’s vintners.   WHAT: The 2nd annual three day festival will include an al fresco harvest dinner in downtown Lodi and a weekend full of special activities and cellar tours at over 35 Lodi wineries. Festivities kick off the evening of Friday, September 25th with a picturesque, al fresco Harvest Dinner on Pine Street in downtown Lodi, featuring farm-to-table highlights paired with Lodi’s most unique and delicious wines. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can enjoy wine and barrel tastings, live music, delicious food and more as they tour the Lodi region during special cellar tours and activities at participating wineries.   WHEN: The harvest dinner is scheduled for Friday, September 25th 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The winery cellar tours and activities will take place Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th. Times will vary by winery.   WHERE: Lodi, CA   MORE: Tickets for the dinner can be purchased at www.sipsavorlodi.com or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at (209) 365-0621. No ticket is required for Saturday & Sunday’s winery events and cellar tours. Additional charges may apply toward the purchase of wine or food at participating wineries. Guests must be 21 years of age to attend all events.   ABOUT: Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 110,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.  With more than 100 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. A major winegrape growing region since the 1850s, today Lodi boasts over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.  In addition, Lodi is one of the leading wine regions when it comes to sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program.    CONTACT: For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional event information, please contact Jenny Heitman of the Lodi Winegrape Commission at 209|367-0737 or jenny@lodiwine.com.     ###

   Temecula, CA – Temecula Olive Oil Company, a leader in the growing and production of California extra virgin olive oil, has appointed Bob Lawrence, as CEO of the Temecula, California based company. Established in 2001, the company has flourished with its original home store in historic downtown Temecula, followed by locations in Solana and SealBeach and historic downtown San Diego. Beloved by visitors and loyal club members, the company is poised for its next growth phase which will include new club offerings this fall, a yet to be announced new location among many other initiatives.   Lawrence comes to Temecula Olive Oil Company (TOOC) with over 20 years of retail sales, operations and marketing experience. His most recent position was that of CEO of Brandsource in Tustin, CA a business-to-business network of appliance, electronics and home furnishings stores numbering 4,500. His experience with the wholesale, retail, financing and IT aspects of running multiple operations with consistent branding will serve him well with TOOC. His first order of business with the company which he joined formally in July 1, 2015, is to drive brand awareness in the company’s tasting rooms as well as offer a loyal customer base new offerings.      “With over 80% of purchases online being searches by brand, the opportunity for expansion of our products, which include olive oils, vinegars, condiments and beauty products, the possibilities for growth are endless,” states Lawrence. “We have a great reputation for leading the way in certified California extra virgin olive oil production and the growing sophistication of the consumer puts us squarely in their sights for expanding our message beyond the current base.” Lawrence joins an executive team which includes Thom Curry, President and fellow Co-Founders Nancy Curry, and Catherine Pepe. Of Lawrence’s hire, Curry shared, “"We are very excited to welcome Bob to the TOOC family, his past track record, unwavering commitment to quality, customer service, and our brand standards is exceptional. We are confident that our team member and guest experience will continue to flourish under his leadership."   For more information about TOOC please visit  https://www.temeculaoliveoil.com/. For interviews, images and inquiries, please contact Kimberly Charles at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463.   #   #   #

                                            2016 WINE BLOGGERS CONFERENCE COMING TO LODI, CALIFORNIA Hundreds of Wine Bloggers to Attend Conference in Lodi’s Premier Wine Country August 11-14, 2016  Lodi, CA, August 17, 2015 – It was announced over the weekend at the 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference (WBC) that the 2016 conference will take place August 11-14th in Lodi, California. Hundreds of citizen and industry wine writers for online platforms and print publications, will gather with other wine and social media professionals from around the world to meet, learn, and share at WBC’s ninth annual conference. This is the first time the conference has come to Lodi.   The annual Wine Bloggers Conference is the pre-eminent gathering of citizen wine bloggers, industry bloggers and wine writing professionals who come together for educational sessions, networking and social gathering.  It is the platform from which many learn about regions, wine brands, new offerings and evolving trends.  Wine blogging continues to drive consumer interest with wine in interactive and innovative ways, and the region of Lodi, with over 750 growers and 85 wineries, has similarly been progressive in its outreach and education to the trade, media and consumer audiences.   With its dynamic wine country and historic downtown, Lodi is well positioned to host WBC 2016. Attendees will gather in downtown Lodi’s charming Hutchins Street Square to spend four days immersed in educational wine seminars, networking, grower and winery visits, wine tastings, and – of course – blogging. WBC is an excellent opportunity for wineries to showcase their wines to a discerning and influential audience. Programming and dinners are expected to take place at various wineries and local businesses throughout the region. Given Lodi’s grounding in the grower culture, this conference will allow wine bloggers, writers, winery representatives, regional association representatives and others to interact directly with growers, many of whom have been in the region for 5 to 6 generations, thus providing literal hands-on experience for the attendees. The Lodi Winegrape Commission’s Executive Director, Camron King, announced the 2016 location over the weekend at the 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference in the Finger Lakes Wine Country in Corning, New York, host location to this year’s Conference.   Following the announcement, King said: “The historic Lodi wine growing region is excited to welcome the wine blogging and writing community as well as our colleagues in the industry and others into our vineyards, wineries and our home. Lodi is an important part of the American wine industry and we are pleased to be working with Zephyr Adventures to put together the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference that will be educational, immersive, relevant and enlightening to the blogging community, but will also provide attendees with an in depth Lodi vineyard experience like no conference has provided before!”   Plans for the conference continue to develop and will be announced through the Wine Bloggers Conference over the coming months atwww.winebloggersconference.org. All interested in learning more about Lodi and being involved in the conference should start making their plans to attend soon.  Registration for WBC 2016 is now open.   Follow LoCA – The Wines of Lodi, California (@Lodi_Wine) and 2016 Wine Blogger’s Conference (@WineBloggersCon) on Twitter and use hashtags #WBC16 and #LodiWine to keep up with the conversation, programming and news.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 110,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings. With more than 100 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long renowned for its high-quality Zinfandel production, including an estimated 2,000 acres of pre-Prohibition own rooted vines, the area also produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay. More recently, Lodi has begun gaining consumer traction for its other exciting varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Kerner, Gewurztraminer, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others. A major winegrape growing region since the 1850s, today Lodi boasts over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.  In addition, Lodi is one of the leading wine regions when it comes to sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program.   For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com. For media inquiries, images and interviews, please contact Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.   About the Wine Bloggers Conference   The Wine Bloggers Conference is the premier gathering of online wine writers. Entering its ninth season, the conference provides a forum for bloggers and writers to network; includes educational content on blogging, technology, and social media; and provides intense experiences in the local host wine industry.   The Wine Bloggers Conference is organized by Zephyr Adventures, which has been running active tours around the world for the last 18 years. In addition to Zephyr’s active tours, its sister company Taste Vacations runs wine, beer, food, and spirits tours that leave the physical activity at home. Zephyr also organizes the Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference, International Food Blogger Conference, FitBloggin’ Conference, and Wine Tourism Conference.    For more information please contact info@winebloggersconference.org.   ###

The Lodi Winegrape Commission Releases Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing Certification Program – 2015 Report  Lodi’s sustainable winegrowing report quantifies the Lodi Rules™ for Sustainable Winegrowing program’s decade of growth, evolution, and – most importantly – grower adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices   Lodi, CA,  – Marking the program’s 10th anniversary, today the Lodi Winegrape Commission released Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing – 2015 Report. As the first regional sustainable winegrowing certification program to publish a report of this kind, its purpose is to demonstrate Lodi’s commitment to sustainable farming with a transparent peak into the log books and official records of the region’s farms and vineyards. Lodi Rules™ ranks among the most rigorous and comprehensive programs in the country – the report demonstrates both how and why.   The Lodi Rules™ for Sustainable Winegrowing is California’s original 3rd party-certified sustainable winegrowing program and is the first to be able to claim a decade of certification. It promotes practices that enhance biodiversity, soil and water health, community and employee wellbeing, ensuring that farming needs are met today without compromising the needs of future generations. The goal of the program is to support grower adoption of sustainable practices and to communicate this commitment to wineries and the general public. Lodi Rules™ has been and continues to be used as a model for other sustainable winegrowing certification programs internationally.   “Here in Lodi, sustainability is more than an idea. The Lodi Rules program is designed to help growers make sustainability tangible. To be certified, we farm in a way that meets rigorous environmental, social, and business standards. For me, sustainability means farming the right way for the right reasons. The Lodi Rules program is my template to be a better grower, a better steward of the land, a better business owner, and a better citizen. I’m excited for the world to read this report because I’m proud of my Lodi Rules-certified vineyards and I want everyone to know it,” says Chris Storm, Vino Farms, and Chair, Lodi Winegrape Commission Lodi Rules Committee.   The 2015 report notes that a growing number of wineries are incentivizing growers to participate in the Lodi Rules. In 2014 alone, over $1.4 million was paid to growers in bonuses for Lodi Rules certified winegrapes.   Furthermore, the report serves to quantify how winegrowers participating in the Lodi Rules™ program have been successful at adopting its flagship sustainable practices. For example, in the ecosystem management chapter, 92% of growers have installed nest boxes for raptors and birds to increase habitat biodiversity. In the human resources chapter, 62% have implemented a safety rewards program to incentivize their workforce to take extra precaution against on-the-job injury. In the soil management chapter, 93% of growers have used cover crops to prevent soil erosion. Overall, adoption rates averaged across each of the six chapters ranged from an impressive 77% to 90%.   Launched in 2005, Lodi Rules™ was awarded a Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) earlier this year (its second since the program’s founding). Since its inception, Lodi Rules™ has expanded and evolved, with the program growing to over 85 farming operations, and 20,000 acres of certified Lodi vineyards. There are an additional 6,000 acres certified from Sonoma to Soledad. About 25 wineries now produce wines that bare the Lodi Rules™ seal on the label.   The Lodi Rules is the only sustainable winegrowing certification program whose standards have been accredited by Protected Harvest, a non-profit organization comprised of scientists, academics and environmentalists that certifies farmers’ use of stringent environmental growing standards. Certification plays a key role in establishing transparency and trust between growers, wineries, consumers, and others across the supply chain. It ensures that sustainability claims made on wine labels are accurate and substantiated.   Visit www.lodigrowers.com for more information about the Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing certification program. The 2015 report can be accessed online.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the Lodi wine region features 100,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings. Lodi has been a major winegrape growing region since the 1850’s, and today is farmed by over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.  In addition, Lodi is one of the leading wine regions in sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which implements green-farming practices. For more information about the Lodi wine region, please visit www.lodiwine.com.     For additional information regarding the Lodi Winegrape Commission, please contact Executive Director, Camron King, at 209|327-4727 or camron@lodiwine.com.   

SakéOne to be featured at Outside Lands 2015 Festival  Third year as sole saké to be poured at WineLands   San Francisco, CA –SakéOne, America’s first craft saké producer and importer of a diverse portfolio of Japanese saké is pleased to announce their third year as the only saké company featured at the 7th annual Outside Lands. The highly popular San Francisco music & arts festival draws over 70,000 music lovers from all over the world.  For the past two years, SakéOne, has debuted new products at Outside Lands including  Momokawa Organic Junmai saké on draft in 2013 and KIBO the premium grade canned Junmai saké in 2014.   Located in the center of the newly relocated Wine Lands tent within the festival, SakéOne will feature four sakés this year, two Oregon craft sakés, Momokawa Organic and g joy and two imports, KIBO and Hatkutsuru Sayuri Nigori. Patrons will use Bison Bucks to purchase either a pour or taste.  The offerings include a range of styles and rice polish percentage, giving tasters an opportunity to experience the diversity of saké all in one place.   This year, Wine Lands will feature over 30 wineries pouring their diverse offerings. SakéOne will be the only saké company featured in the tent and every year the eclectic epicurean crowd flocks to experience and enjoy saké with the fantastic food offerings.  Elsewhere around the festival, there will be additional areas highlighting Northern California’s elite culinary scene including Beer Lands, Choco Lands and Cheese Lands.   Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival will take place on August 7-9 at San Francisco’s historic Golden Gate Park. More information can be found here http://www.sfoutsidelands.com/.  Social media for SakéOne for the festival this year includes:  #DrinkColdSaké #OSLsaké #SakéBetweenSets @SakéOne @KiboSaké on Twitter and on Instagram @sakeoneoregon or Facebook /sakeoneoregon.     About SakéOne  SakéOne is America’s first craft saké producer and compliments its own fine products with a growing portfolio of fine Japanese saké imports. Its Oregon craft saké brands Momokawa, Moonstone, and g Saké are joined by import brands Murai Family, Yoshinogawa, Kasumi Tsuru, SakéMoto, Hakutsuru, KIBO and Tombo. A leader committed to saké education at the wholesale, retail and consumer levels, SakéOne is focused on expanding the enjoyment of premium saké in the United States. For more information, visit SakéOne’s website at www.sakeone.com.    For media information and interviews, please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463.         ###

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, the world’s most recognized authority on wine, is bringing its inaugural Matter of Taste tour to Miami as part of a continuing global series of exclusive events for eRobertParker.com members and guests.   The American leg of the tour continues in Miami on September 26, 2015. Featuring 150 of the most iconic wines of South America and Spain, each rated 90+ points by The Wine Advocate and handpicked by its world-renowned Spanish and South American wine expert, Luis Gutiérrez, Matter of Taste offers the opportunity to experience the most iconic wines of the world in a casual walk-around tasting atmosphere.   “We are delighted to reward our subscribers, their guests and new ‘members’ to the Miami stop in a series of events we are planning across the globe,” said Editor-in-Chief, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW.  “Subscribing to eRobertParker.com gives consumers access to hundreds of thousands of independent wine tasting reviews by Robert Parker and our team of wine experts. Matter of Taste brings the very best of these reviews to life, providing readers with the opportunity to taste and meet the people behind these extraordinary wines and to mingle with our critics who recommended the wines. Ultimately we want to transform the traditional and somewhat static wine review subscription model into a much more compelling and dynamic membership opportunity.”   Matter of Taste Miami will be held on Saturday, September 26 from 1pm to 6pm with a special preview tasting for VIPs from 12 noon within Miami’s famed Moore Building - a stunning 1921 landmark building located in the city’s Design District. A series of high profile master classes will run from 11am to 630pm.   Tickets to the walkabout tasting are specially priced at $50 for eRobertParker.com members (master classes will be priced separately). Non-member tickets are $99 and will include a free one-year, annually renewing membership to eRobertParker.com.  Ticket sales open at 10am on August 6th. American Express® Card Members can take advantage of an exclusive two week pre­sale beginning July 23 at 10am.   To view the full list of incredible wines to be tasted please visit: www.a-matter-of-taste.com.   Following Matter of Taste Miami, the tour travels to San Francisco on November 14, 2015, followed by New York City on February 20, 2016, with more cities in the U.S. and worldwide to be announced soon.  Each city will celebrate a distinct theme, focusing on various major wine regions with each stop.   More information from www.a-matter-of-taste.com or kcharles@charlescomm.com   About Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate    For more than 35 years, The Wine Advocate, and later RobertParker.com, has been the global leader and independent consumer’s guide to fine wine. The brand was established by world-famous Robert M. Parker, Jr., the only critic in any field to receive the highest Presidential honor from three countries – France, Italy and Spain. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate provides a wealth of information to its subscribers, including a searchable database of more than 250,000 professional wine ratings and reviews plus articles, videos, daily news content, online retail availability and pricing, an active, professionally moderated bulletin board, a mobile app for easy access to the comprehensive online database of reviews, and much more. For more information, visit http://www.eRobertParker.com.   MATTER OF TASTE MIAMI DATE: Saturday September 26, 2015 VENUE: Moore Building, 4040 Ne 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137 MASTER CLASSES: 11am- 630pm VIP PREVIEW: 12 noon- 1pm WALK-AROUND TASTING: 1pm-6pm    ###