Wingtip and Float Hybrid Partner to Deliver a Technology that Revolutionizes  the Spirits Shopping Experience   San Francisco, CA. July 22, 2015 – Wingtip, located in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District is a one-stop shop for the modern gentleman and those who adore them. Open to the public, the store features professional and casual clothing, a custom tailor, a cigar shop, barbershop, shoe shine stand, fly-fishing shop and more. Their members only club upstairs on the 10th floor has a parlor room, bar & lounge, golf simulator, wine cave, meeting rooms and dining options. Given that the Financial District, or #FiDi as the local businesses like to call it, has transitioned from white shoe service firms of yore to modern Wingtip shoe adorned professionals in the technology, marketing and financial services sector, it makes sense that this oasis should introduce an innovative technology to enhance the whiskey shopping experience. Wingtip partnered with San Francisco-based technology firm Float Hybrid to develop a unique interactive spirits display that responds to individual shopper interactions. The system uses Float’sAnything Interactive technology to activate on-screen content.  When a shopper approaches, a welcome screen is activated to encourage them to interact with the products and to delve further into background information via videos and press materials. The content on screen then changes based on the products the shopper touches. Product information, videos and whiskey recipe tutorials are all delivered to personalize the experience.   “There is a wealth of information online that shoppers are hungry for when shopping in the physical store,” says Keith Bendes, Business Development Director at Float Hybrid. “We are enabling that digital content to be delivered in real-time.” Float’s Anything Interactive technology provides the ability to update content in real-time and understand the impact of content changes on shopper behavior. External information including time of day, weather, spirits trends and season can all be linked to the type of content displayed, making the experience more relevant at the moment of engagement. The technology also tracks shopper interactions anonymously and provides that data to cloud-based analytics tools. This allows Wingtip to better understand shopping habits and their customer’s path-to-purchase. “Our whole approach at Wingtip and the Bank of Wine & Spirits in store is to customize the shopping and social experience. This technology enables us to elevate that experience for our customers and members. We have an array of spirits, particularly whiskies, as well as wines to keep our clientele engaged and coming back often,” says Kyle Nadeau, General Manager of the Bank of Wine & Spirits.     About Wingtip Wingtip is a "one-stop shop" for the modern gentleman. Housed in 22,000 square feet in San Francisco's Financial District, the store features a custom clothing department, professional & casual clothing, cufflinks, pens, leather goods, barware, cigar accessories, a barbershop, and shoe shine stand. And that's just the store. A private club for our best customers houses a bar & lounge, private parlor rooms, a boardroom, golf simulator, and a wine cave. The Bank of  Wine & Spirits at Wingtip, opened in the winter of 2014 and featured over 1,000 highly curated wines and spirits.  For more information visit http://wingtip.com/. About Anything Interactive Float’s Anything Interactive technology is a proprietary approach to defining user activity in specially defined zones of space. The technology responds to individual user interactions and tracks those interactions on cloud based analytics tools, bridging the gap between the online and offline world. For more information visit http://www.anythinginteractive.com/ or email keith@anythinginteractive.com.            For media queries, image requests or interviews, please contact Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates, press@charlescomm.com  or 415|701-9463.   ###

 ​   Randall Grahm Announces Crowdfunding Campaign for Estate Vineyard Project at Popelouchum Goal to Discover a New World Grand Cru Indiegogo Crowdfunding Campaign Kicks off July 21, 2015   San Juan Bautista, CA (July 21, 2015) – After a successful 35-year career of wine business disruption, Randall Grahm, owner and winemaker at Bonny Doon Vineyard, is poised for his next innovation, the realization of a long held dream to establish a living lab of a vineyard at Popelouchum, his 400-acre estate located just outside the historic town of San Juan Bautista in San Benito County in California’s northern Central Coast. Announced (appropriately) on a day in the Biodynamic planting calendar when it is optimum for sowing and planting root crops and flowers, Grahm is launching an IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign to raise $350,000. Entitled Popelouchum – The Project the aim is to undertake an ambitious breeding project of 10,000 new grape varieties onsite. After a thorough study in 2010 of the property by noted French soil scientists Claude Bourguignon and Lydia Gabucci-Bourguignon, and in response to a changing climate, Grahm has an optimistic vision to undertake in his words, “the discovery of a new grand cru in the new world.”   In many ways the summation of Grahm’s life’s work (on both the viticultural and vinification sides of the winemaking equation), he is envisioning planting a vineyard not dictated by spreadsheets and statistical analysis, but rather one that takes a long view to breed varieties with the innate ability to fight drought and disease pressures in a living laboratory. Grahm is inviting contributors to “Join him on a journey of discovery to change the way we grow grapes, to change the way we think about vineyards, to perhaps discover an entirely new vinous expression.” He states, “This initiative with its innovative methodology is intended to create a powerful model of true sustainability for the California wine industry.” Due to primarily high land prices and borrowed money for vineyard development, most growers rely on high inputs (fertilization, irrigation, denser vineyard plantations, and highly productive vines) to seek higher grape yields. The model that Grahm is proposing is one of fewer inputs (no trellises, end-posts, irrigation, wider vine spacing), and lower output (i.e. lower tonnage due to dry-farming), with significantly higher wine quality as a result. With support from the crowd-funding campaign, a major goal of the endeavor would be to establish a 501(c)3 status which would allow for crowd sharing with the community at large, the findings of the project over  the arc of a decade’s time.  The catalogue of discovery would be shared with others who want to pursue a similar path. “I'm looking to change the wine industry in a big way. It is part of my life's work to continue to push the boundaries of this very conservative business. I am seeking funds to potentially leave a rich legacy for the next generation of grape growers and wine drinkers.” The campaign has early support from industry leaders and academia, and it will run from July 21 (when it launched at 6:23 AM P.S.T.) for 31 days.  Contributors from levels starting at $5 to $5,000 will have the chance to earn rewards ranging from limited edition artwork and books signed by Grahm to having grape varieties named after them as well as enjoy events on the property pending the level of commitment. The biodiverse, dramatically beautiful property will include gardens and olive trees in addition to the vineyard plantings.       About Popelouchum "Popelouchum” is the Native American Mutsun people’s name for their historical settlement, located near San Juan Bautista between the Gabilan Mountains and Flint Hills.  The word can be translated as “village” and also, accurately enough, as “paradise.”  It was considered a sacred place, and was subsequently settled by the padres, who established a Mission nearby, known by many in popular culture to be site of the church featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Vertigo. The nearby town today is a witness to history with a beautifully preserved square surrounded that is the only original Spanish plaza remaining in California to this day. In Grahm’s words, “I first saw Popelouchum in my dreams before I observed it in ‘ordinary reality.’ It’s where my legacy can live on long after I’m gone.” About Randall Grahm  After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Plant Science in 1979, Grahm purchased property in the Santa Cruz Mountains and founded Bonny Doon Vineyard. He has been a tireless champion of Rhône grape varieties in the Central Coast since the inaugural vintage (1984) of Le Cigare Volant.  In 1989 he appeared on the cover of the Wine Spectator magazine, anointed as “The Rhône Ranger,” a moniker that has followed him ever since. Randall was named the Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year by the James Beard Foundation in 1994.  The University of California Press published his award-winning book, “Been Doon So Long: A Randall Grahm Vinthology” in 2009.  In 2010, the Culinary Institute of America inducted him into the Vintner’s Hall of Fame.  He lives in Santa Cruz with his family and thesaurus.   About the campaign To contribute to the campaign or learn more about the project, please visit http://igg.me/at/GrahmCru follow the social media campaign on Twitter at #grahmcru or Facebook at Popelouchum Winery & Vineyard. For media interviews please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415|730-0064 or Alexandra Fondren at alex@charlescomm.com 760|473-6190.       ###

      SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION CELEBRATES 35th YEAR WITH GLOBAL ARRAY OF WINNERS   26 Countries, 29 states with a total of 4,902 entries compete  in America’s largest International Wine Competition   SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A celebratory 35 years of the pre-eminent international wine competition in the United States wrapped up on June 14th with the San Francisco International Wine Competition.   Surpassing last year’s record number of entries, this year’s competition had a 7% increase in contenders from the year before.  The elegant downtown Hotel Nikko was once again the headquarters for this competition, judged by 50 leading palates from around the U.S. as well as Australia, Germany and New Zealand. Judges from the sectors of retail, restaurants, winemaking, media, and consulting judged over 4,902 wines from 26 countries and 29 states.  Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the two top selling wines in the U.S., remained dominant categorically this year with 544 entries, the largest category of the competition.   Pinot Noir showed its continual winning streak with 32 Double Golds, 20 of which were from the 2013 vintage. It was also the 4th year in a row that a Riesling wine won Best in Show White. The Winery Portfolio of the Year went to Delicato Family Vineyards of Napa, California; the Tasting Panel Magazine Winery of the Year went to Wolf Blass Wines, South Australia; and the André Tchelistcheff  Winemakers of the Year award went to Chad Richard, Robert Zeches and Shalini Sekhar of Furthermore Pinot Noir, California.      The competition continued its 100-point scoring system for all Gold and Double Gold medals, which was implemented last year.  Several new judges were added in 2015 including Eduardo A. Dingler, Corporate Beverage Director, Morimoto Restaurants in Napa; Ryan McHendry, Coordinator of Category Management, The Kroger Co., Cincinnati; and Bob Paulinski, MW, Senior Vice President of Wine at BevMo!. They joined noted wine talents such as winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett; Wine Enthusiast critic Virginie Boone; Court of Master Sommeliers’ Fred Dame, MS; and leading wine blogger Joe Roberts among others. When queried about the competition this year Bob Paulinski MW stated, "I’ve judged in wine competitions all around the world, but this was my first at the SFIWC. It impressed me with a great cast of judges, along with a thoughtful process that fairly judges each wine on its true merit.”  Phil Market, Liquor Manager of the Southern California division of Safeway who judged for the second time this year stated, “I’m truly amazed at the caliber of the judges at this competition. You have 50 judges from around the world with years of experience in wine, from retail, wholesale, restaurants, wineries, journalism and consultants, all at the top of their game.”     The medal count for 2015 included 254 Double Golds, a distinction given when a wine unanimously wins a gold medal by all the judges evaluating it, 538 Gold medals, 1,742 Silver medals and 1,568 Bronze medals. A complete listing of winners can be found at www.sfwinecomp.com on June 30, 2015.    Best in Show awards went to Champagne COLLET from France for their 2004 Brut Millésime (Best in Show Sparkling for the 2nd year in a row), Jeff Runquist for his 2013 Paso Robles Syrah (Best in Show Red), Framingham of Marlborough, New Zealand for their 2013 Riesling (Best in Show White), and Avignonesi for their 2000 Vin Santo di Montepulciano, Occhio di Pernice, DOC Tuscany (Best in Show Dessert Wine).   Other varietal and blend-specific “Best” awards were presented to 40 wineries from 8 different countries; eighteen different U.S. American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) were also awarded.  Best of Varietal award winners include Chateau Frank of the Finger Lakes, NY; Fess Parker Winery, Los Olivos, CA ; Spy Valley, New Zealand; Baileyana, Edna Valley, CA; Hiro Sake, Japan;  Harney Lane, Lodi, CA; Eberle, Paso Robles, CA; Shenandoah Vineyards, Amador County, CA; Catena Zapata, Argentina; Church & State Wines, Okanagan Valley, Canada; Becker Vineyards, Texas; Wolf Blass Wines, South Australia; Quinto do Tedo, Douro Valley, Portugal among many other notable winners.   The 2015 Label Competition was held on June 16th. Of the 152 entrants, 12 merited a Double Gold award for excellence in label design, more than any previous year. The 2015 Label Design judges included Joel Blum of the San Francisco International Wine Competition, Thomas Gronbukt of the Academy of Art University, and Patti Mangan from Imagine That Design Studio. Competition director Anthony Dias Blue, renowned food and wine authority and publisher, leads and organizes one of the most important and comprehensive wine competitions in the world.   Of this year’s competition he stated, “It is hard to believe that each year can improve upon the last, but it happened again this year.  At 35 years, we show no signs of slowing down.  Like a focused athlete, we’ve refined our judging roster, trained our staff who manages the logistics for close to 5,000 wines flawlessly, and continue to attract great entries from wineries around the globe.  I’m thrilled to see the bar of wine quality continue to rise for the trade and consumers. Our job is to deliver to the consuming public the best of the best.”    Tim McDonald, Director of Judging, said,  “I am beyond honored to work with Anthony Dias Blue and such a terrific pool of wine judges who cover every aspect of the wine industry and represent over $2 billion in wine sales collectively. Sommeliers, journalists, buyers, producers, importers and wholesalers make the San Francisco International Wine Competition the most prestigious wine competition held in America every year, as is evident in the results from our 35th year.”   For a complete list of winners and judges, visit the San Francisco International Wine Competition's website on June 30th: www.sfwinecomp.com. Find more on twitter at #SFIWC and @SFIntlWineComp.   For interviews and additional media needs, please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|730-0064     ###  

  Sherryfest 2015 spotlights dinners & seminars in New York City June 23-25th    New York, NY – Sherry lovers are eagerly anticipating the offerings for Sherryfest 2015 in New York City June 23-25th. Three consecutive days will feature fabulous rare sherry, pithy seminars, and expertly paired dinners hosted by some of Jerez’s most noteworthy producers. Seats are still available for seminars and dinners, highlights of which are on the website at http://www.sherryfest.com/events.   Four dinner events will showcase rare sherries paired alongside the cuisine of some of New York’s leading restaurants who have dedicated menus and bar programs which highlight sherry: Chef’s Club, Huertas, Toro and Racines, as well as a kick-off welcome party at Donostia.   Details include:   Tuesday June 23rd 6:30 PM at The Chef’s Club with the producers Tradicion and Delgado Zuleta Featuring four sherries from each producer ranging from Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso VORS, Manzanilla, Pedro Ximenez VORS and Moscatel, this four course meal will include a welcome sherry cocktail, smoked salmon and Comte croque monsieur, Sweetbread Viennoise with Morels & Asparagus, Blue Cheese and Apricot Marmalade followed by a chocolate and peanut house made candy bar.  All courses will have two sherries paired expertly with each dish.   Tuesday June 23rd 9 AM to midnight at Donostia with Williams & Humbert, Sanchez Romate and Lustau – Feel like a Spaniard with this late night fete in Alphabet City where a vast array of Pintxos and sherries will be shared in an “Omakase Vasco” menu highlights of which include: Alcachofa, Chorizo Picante, Tartaletas Erizo de Mar and Bonito, Tortillas of Sauteed Leek & Spinach and Morcilla & Chorizo, White Asparagus, Sardines with Romesco among many other tantalizing tastes.     Wednesday June 24th highlights two dinners both at 6:30 PM at Huertas and Toro Restaurants Huertas will feature the sherries of Barbadillo including Solera, Amontillado Principe, Obispo Gascon and Palo Cortado VORS. Emilio Hidalgo will also showcase their sherries including Fino La Panesa, Amontillado Tresillo and Oloroso Villapanes to be paired with a specially created menu by Chef Jonah Miller. .   Toro Restaurant will feature the sherries of Gonzalez Byass and Valdespino. There will be some special rarities served including Valdespino's Moscatel Toneles and González Byass' Apostoles! Also featured will be a fino course with Tío Pepe Fino en Rama and Inocente, Amontillado Viña AB and Tio Diego, Cardenal Palo Cortado and Pédro Ximénez Noe VORS.  The three course meal will feature an array of traditional Pinchos Y Tapas Frias Y Jamones which will include toasted bread with preserved sardines, goat butter & tomato, spicy shishito peppers with sea salt, Spanish tuna belly with a tomato tapenade and celery leaves on toast, as well as Jamon Serrano.   The Tapas Calientes will include marinated skirt steak with Cabrales blue cheese butter, patatas bravas, grilled garlic shrimp with Cacabel chiles and cauliflower and kohlrabi with pine nuts, golden raisins and anchovies. Dessert will conclude with churros with dark chocolate sauce.   Inaugural Grand Finale Dinner on Thursday June 25th will have a five course menu featuring the sherries of four producers including Williams and Humbert & Sanchez Romate & Valdespino & Lustau. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own fine and rare sherry bottles to share for the 4th course, which will be a BYOB special feature.   There are limited seats available for seminars on Wednesday and Thursday June 24-25th. Wednesday’s include:  Flor Aging in Manzanilla with Barbadillo, illustrating the development of flor in different microclimatic conditions; Aging Sherry without Flor with Bodegas Tradición & Delgado Zuleta, focusing on the sherries that are produced partially or entirely in an oxidative style: Oloroso, Amontillado and Palo Cortado; The Art of Blending with Lustau and Williams & Humbert, explaining the role of blending and describing the creation of individual sherries; Vintage Sherries with González Byass, presented by Antonio Flores, head winemaker, and including a selection of the house's añada sherries, some of the rarest sherries on the planet..   Thursday’s seminars are A History of Sherry in Cocktails with David Wondrich, noted author and contributor to Esquire Magazine, and Sherry in Wine Programs with Diez-Merito and Emilio Hidalgo, moderated by Levi Dalton. Sherryfest is the brainchild of noted wine writer Peter Liem, who authors ChampagneGuide.net and the recently published Sherry, Manzanilla & Montilla: A Guide to the Traditional Wines of Andalucía, and Rosemary Gray, Wine Specialist at Flatiron Wines & Spirits. Launched in 2012 in New York City, Sherryfest immediately became the largest sherry event to ever take place outside of Spain, and Liem has become one of America’s greatest advocates of this storied yet modern beverage. Featuring an array of tasting events, seminars, and sherry dinners with bodega representatives, the event has since expanded to include Portland, Toronto, and San Francisco.   Liem has called sherry “the hottest wine in New York,” and it has indeed been on an impressive, if still modest, comeback tour in the US in recent years. It has quickly become one of the most popular wine styles among sommeliers, writers, and the international wine cognoscenti, thanks to its excellent value and versatility with food. Imports have certainly increased over the last three years, with big houses like González Byass citing that shipments to the U.S. have increased threefold in the last decade.   Seminars range from $39-$49. Dinner prices range from $135-$145, which is all-inclusive of food, sherry, tax, and gratuity. All event attendees must be at least 21 years of age.  For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional event information, please contact Sarah Bray at info@sherryfest.com, or follow @Sherryfest on Twitter and Instagram.     # # #  

  Sherryfest 2015 arrives in New York City June 23-25th Peter Liem’s Popular Event with Intriguing Seminars, Dinners, and a Grand Tasting mark event’s 4th anniversary    New York, NY - Sherry aficionados are marking their calendars as Peter Liem’s popular sherry-focused event comes back to New York City June 23-25th this year.  Sherryfest is a week full of fabulous rare sherry, pithy seminars, and expertly paired dinners hosted by some of Jerez’s most noteworthy producers. The sought-after 4th edition of Sherryfest will be held in its originating city, New York, and will feature a variety of exciting events for both consumers and wine professionals. This year also debuts a cocktail-focused component for the event, solidifying the versatility of sherry around the country in leading bar and restaurant cocktail programs.  The full schedule of events includes four producer dinners and six seminars, as well as a Welcome Party to kick off the event series. The Grand Tasting day schedule includes two of the seminars including a History of Sherry in Cocktails with David Wondrich, noted author and contributor to Esquire Magazine, and Sherry in Wine Programs with Diez-Merito and Emilio Hidalgo, moderated by Levi Dalton. The first three dinner events will showcase rare sherries paired alongside the food of some of New York’s leading restaurants who have dedicated menus and bar programs to highlight sherry: Chef’s Club, Huertas, and Toro. The closing dinner will be the event's first-ever gala dinner, hosted by Racines NY. A full list of producers, dates, and times for these limited ticket offerings is here.     Seminar topics outside of the Grand Tasting day include Flor Aging in Manzanilla with Barbadillo; Aging Sherry without Flor with Bodegas Tradición & Delgado Zuleta; The Art of Blending with Lustau and Williams & Humbert; Vintage Sherries with González Byass.   Sherryfest is the brainchild of noted wine writer Peter Liem, who authors ChampagneGuide.net and the recently published Sherry, Manzanilla & Montilla: A Guide to the Traditional Wines of Andalucía, and Rosemary Gray, Wine Specialist at Flatiron Wines & Spirits. Launched in 2012 in New York City, Sherryfest immediately became the largest sherry event to ever take place outside of Spain, and Liem has become one of America’s greatest advocates of this storied yet modern beverage. Featuring an array of tasting events, seminars, and sherry dinners with bodega representatives, the event has since expanded to include Portland, Toronto, and San Francisco.   The primary bodega hosts for the dinners and seminars are Bodegas Tradición, Delgado Zuleta, Barbadillo, Emilio Hidalgo, Valdespino, González Byass, Lustau, Sánchez Romate, and Williams & Humbert. Also participating in the Grand Tasting are such distinguished names as Gutierrez Colosia, Rey Fernando de Castilla, Hidalgo-La Gitana and Díez-Mérito.   Liem has called sherry “the hottest wine in New York,” and it has indeed been on an impressive, if still modest, comeback tour in the US in recent years. Once derided as the démodé beverage of choice for the elder set (mostly thanks to the reputation left by the sweeter cream sherries), sherry—particularly dry versions such as fino and amontillado—has quickly become one of the hottest wine styles among sommeliers, writers, and the international wine cognoscenti, thanks to its excellent value and versatility with food. Imports have certainly increased over the last three years, with big houses like González Byass citing that shipments to the U.S. have increased threefold in the last decade. Grand Tasting registration is now open, and tickets for dinners and seminars are also available for purchase. The Grand Tasting at City Winery on Thursday June 25th is open to the wine trade from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and to consumers from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Though it is a free event, pre-registration is required for admittance. Seminars range from $39-$49. Dinner prices range from $135-$145, which is all-inclusive of food, sherry, tax, and gratuity. All event attendees must be at least 21 years of age. In addition to all the Sherryfest programming, there will be citywide in-store tastings on June 20th in addition to an official sherry cocktail evening at Pouring Ribbons also on the 20th.   For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional event information, please contact Sarah Bray at info@sherryfest.com, or follow @Sherryfest on Twitter and Instagram.       # # #  

ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE KICKS OFF U.S. MATTER OF TASTE TOUR IN CHICAGO Global Series of Exclusive Wine Experiences to Feature the World’s Top Rated Wines     CHICAGO, IL – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (eRobertParker.com), the world’s most recognized authority on wine, is debuting its inaugural Matter of Taste tour on U.S. shores in 2015 as part of a global series of exclusive events for eRobertParker.com members and guests.   The tour is a continuation of a global series of no-holds-barred fine wine tastings for eRobertParker.com members and their guests. Matter of Taste will feature hundreds of wines rated 90 points and above by The Wine Advocate, handpicked by its world-renowned team of experts. Each city will celebrate a distinct theme, focusing on various major wine regions with each stop.   Taking a connoisseur's look at ‘Rhone Varietals Across Terroirs’, the American leg of the tour kicks off in Chicago on Saturday, May 23 2015 with wines handpicked and presented by Wine Advocate reviewer, Jeb Dunnuck (who Robert Parker famously called “a younger version of myself writing about the Rhone”). The very special evening will provide members, their guests and new eRobertParker.com subscribers with the opportunity to get up close and personal with the vintners behind some of the world's most extraordinary wines, with four master classes preceding an expertly paired, four-course winemaker dinner.   The tasting reception and dinner will be held from 6:30pm - 11pm at the Park Hyatt Chicago’s Grand Salon Ballroom. Master Classes run from 3pm – 6:30pm and will feature the wines of Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle, Cayuse, Donelan Family, Le Vieux Donjon, La Peira, Domaines Lupier and Iberica Bruno Prats. Tickets are available for general purchase 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 Editor-in-Chief, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW. “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 walkabout tastings in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur followed by London in February 2015. Following the Chicago debut of Matter of Taste in the U.S., walkabout Grand Tastings will be held in Miami on September 26 2015, San Francisco on November 14 2015 and New York City on February 20 2016.     The three walkabout Grand Tastings offer a rare opportunity to experience the most iconic wines of the world in a casual walk-around tasting atmosphere. Additionally, Matter of Taste is proud to debut a semi-blind component for the first portion of each walkabout tasting, wherein members will have the opportunity to experience an entirely new slant on the traditional walkabout tasting experience.   Annual members of eRobertParker.com are entitled to discounted tickets ($250) to the Chicago Matter of Taste tasting reception and winemaker dinner. Non-member tickets ($349) include a one-year membership to eRobertParker.com and access to over 400,000 professional wine reviews and articles. Further details and booking information are available at a-matter-of-taste.com/. Stay tuned for further announcements regarding venues, reviewer-selected wines, Master Classes, ticket sales and private dinner events for Miami, San Francisco and New York in the coming weeks.   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.eRobertParker.com.   # # #

    Wine Hooligans Appoints Trellis Wine Group for National Account Sales   Novato, CA - Wine Hooligans has recently secured the national account on-premise sales expertise of Trellis Wine Group www.trelliswinegroup.com for both domestic and international markets. The portfolio of Wine Hooligans, known as a wine industry upstart company includes the brands of Cycles Gladiator, Stephen Vincent, Seamonster, Broadside and Goyette Wines.  Company President and Head Hooligan Dennis Carroll says of the appointment, “I’m excited to be working with Mark Crisler and his team at Trellis Wine Group again.  No one knows the National Account marketplace better than Trellis.  We look forward to building our brands together in future years.”   Mark Crisler, Founder and Chief Everything Officer of Trellis Wine Group has over thirty years of experience in the wine & spirits industry helping brands with market expansion, distributor management, and channel specific sales and marketing strategies. Working as an extension of the veteran sales team Wine Hooligans assembled in its first year of business, Trellis Wine Group will help position the portfolio crafted by winemaking talents Adam LaZarre, Brian Terizzi, Christian Tietje and Bob Goyette.  Crisler stated, “I am truly excited about working with Dennis and the Wine Hooligan’s team.  I see many opportunities to help guide and grow their wines into leading national accounts. I’m particularly proud that my mission of supporting artisan winemakers is in perfect alignment with that of Dennis Carroll.”    About Wine Hooligans After a series of wine industry successes including launching and establishing Purple Wine Company over a 12 year period as well as being part of the original Beverages & More executive team, Carroll created Wine Hooligans as a concept while on the beaches of Hawaii.  Wanting to create a company grounded in strategic sales which helps to create as well as reinvent brands working closely with artisan winemakers, distributor partners and the trade, Wine Hooligans was launched officially in 2014 http://winehooligans.com/   For media requests including interviews, images and more information, please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463 ext. 101.     #   #   #

  Wine, Food & Fun at Lodi Lake Lodi Wine Region Gears Up to Celebrate 11th Annual ZinFest Wine Festival on May 16th, 2015    Lodi, CA – Join your favorite Lodi vintners as they celebrate the 11th annual ZinFest Wine Festival with a weekend full of fabulous local wine, food and entertainment. Events will run May 15th through May 17th, with the main festival taking place on Saturday, May 16th, at Lodi Lake Park from 12 noon to 5pm. Additional weekend activities include the ever-popular (and sold-out!) Vintner’s Grille on Friday, May 15th, as well as Sunday’s Winery Tours & Open Houses on May 17th. More than 4,000 wine lovers are expected to attend this year’s festival.   The ZinFest Wine Festival will feature 200 handcrafted wines from over 40 Lodi wineries. Beyond the glass, guests will enjoy a selection of gourmet food from local restaurants, live music, and browsing one-of-a-kind merchandise from artisan purveyors such as local olive oils and reclaimed wine barrel furniture. In addition, ZinFest attendees are invited to expand their knowledge of Lodi wines and food pairings during any of the scheduled sessions at either the al fresco ZinFest Cooking or Wine Schools.   This year’s ZinFest Wine School begins at 1pm and features the following lineup:   1:00-1:40pm – Intro to Wine Tasting  ​Presented by Fred Swan, Certified Sommelier, San Francisco Wine School and norcalwine.com. 2:00-2:40pm – The Art of Blind Tasting  Presented by Catherine Fallis MS, a.k.a grape goddess®, Planet Grape LLC and Resident Master Sommelier, Summertime in a Glass. 3:00–3:40pm – Taste of Lodi’s Historic Vineyards Tegan Passalacqua, Turley Wine Cellars. 4:00-4:40pm – Lodi’s New Alternative White Wines Randy Caparoso, author lodiwine.com blog, “The LoCA Life & Times” and The SOMM Journal.   “We’re extremely excited to celebrate Lodi’s heritage with Zinfandel as well as showcase the region’s diversity of winegrapes at the 11th Annual ZinFest Wine Festival on May 16th," says Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “ZinFest is the quintessential experience for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Lodi Appellation’s unique terroir and climate, tasting its variety of exceptional wines, and meeting our passionate winemakers and growers.” For those who need more than great wine to float their boat, the ZinFest Vintner's Regatta will return after making a memorable splash at its debut last year. Brave local winemakers will again take to the high seas of Lodi Lake as they race across it in ‘boats’ creatively fashioned from wine barrels, hoping to de-throne 2014 Grand Champion, Macchia Wines.   This year, the festival weekend will cap off a week’s worth of pre-ZinFest festivities, kicking off on Monday, May 11th, when the world-class Amgen Tour of California wraps its stage 2 finish in Lodi.  Amgen Tour of California’s Lifestyle Festival will take place from 11am to 4pm at Hutchins Street Square in the hours leading up to the exhilarating closed course circuit in downtown Lodi. On Thursday, May 14th, Harney Lane Winery will celebrate ZinFest with Lodi chef Warren Ito’s legendary food and wine pairing creations on their patio, while LangeTwins Winery will host “Top Chef” contestant (and Stockton native) Michael Midgley as he creates a multicourse winemaker dinner. RSVP & details here. ZinFest tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.ZinFest.com or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at 209.365.0621. Advance tickets cost $55 per person and $65 the day of the event. Designated driver tickets are also available for $10 per person. Tickets include a ZinFest wine glass, wine tasting, and participation in all seminars and entertainment. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older, including designated drivers.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 100,000 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, 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 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.       # # #

2015 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION RESULTS 15TH ANNIVERSARY MARKS LARGEST COMPETITION YET     SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco World Spirits Competition hosted its 15th annual competition March 19-22nd at the elegant Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco. Continuing its tradition of record-breaking entries annually, this year the number of submissions totaled 1580 (up 7% from the year before) from 41 states, 66 countries covering 90 classifications.  Many categories of spirits experienced a marked increase this year most notably Gin (nearly triple the entries in 3 years), Bourbon, Rye Whiskey and Single Malt Scotch. Always a harbinger of trends in the marketplace, the competition is considered to be the rite of passage for top quality spirits as it has 41 of the world’s top professional palates serving as judges.   The competition has mirrored, and spurred, the spirits industry’s explosive growth over the last 15 years. The inaugural 2000 World Spirits Competition welcomed 12 judges and 292 entries in 59 categories. “We have always been a bellwether for trends in spirits consumption and growth. Our caliber of judges, our international reputation and professional organization of the competition helps the marketplace be assured of tremendous quality control and opportunities,” says competition director and spirits guru Anthony Dias Blue. “Over the last 15 years as we’ve witnessed this explosive growth in spirits, we also note that the further sub-categorization of aging and types of spirits is proliferating.  We are in an exciting time in the beverage business.”   In addition to ace palates, glassware is as paramount to the high performance outcome of competition as the liquid it holds.  For the first time in its 15-year run, the competition featured exclusively the NEAT glass. The new industry standard for spirits tasting, with a patented design, NEAT glasses are scientifically engineered with a compressed lip and flared rim to enhance the judging experience. “We have rigorously tested the NEAT Glass in comparative tastings with other spirits glasses,“ says Blue. “It is the only glass that eliminates alcohol burn while enhancing aroma. It showcases all the nuance and complexity that the spirit’s producer intended.”   Top Awards Leading winners from the sweepstakes included Best in Show Un-Aged White Spirit went to Kappa Pisco ($35), Elqui Valley, Chile out of 603 submissions.  Best in Show Aged White Spirit was awarded to Parce 12 Year Old Rum ($60) from Colombia out of 169 submissions.  Best in Show Whisky went to Craigellachie Single Malt Aged 23 Years ($297) from Speyside, Scotland out of 497 whisky submissions (last year there were 297.)  Best in Show Brandy was awarded to Gautier Tradition Rare Cognac ($165) from Charente, France out of 118 brandy submissions and finally Best in Show Liqueur went to Croizet Liqueur d’Orange au Cognac ($179) out of 154 entries. Other highlights included Best Gin, which went to Master’s Dry Gin ($39), Barcelona, Spain out of 134 entries, Best Bourbon which went to Kentucky’s Knob Creek 9 Year Old Small Batch Bourbon ($31) out of 95 Bourbons, Best Tequila went to Villa Lobos Reposado Tequila ($47) from Jalisco, Mexico and Best Vodka went to Colorado’s Woody Creek Single Potato Vodka ($32) out of 168 entries.    Awarded annually, this year’s Tasting Panel Magazine Distillery of the Year went to Kavalan Distillery of Taiwan by winning 4 Double Golds and two Silvers for their Single Malt Whiskies submissions.  Importer of the Year went to Diageo North America, and the Director’s Award of Excellence went to Beam Suntory Inc., headquartered in Deerfield, IL for its excellent portfolio of spirits. Additionally, in the Packaging Competition this year there were 22 Double Gold medals awarded, the most ever.  There were 143 entries presided over by 3 judges.     A complete list of awards categorically will be posted to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition website on April 6th, please visit http://sfspiritscomp.com/ at that time for more information.     Judges Forty-one international judges gathered this year with several notable judges returning to the roster, including noted spirits writer and author David Wondrich, double degree Doug Frost, MS, MW, leading NYC based mixologist Julie Reiner and writer Sean Ludford.  Tony Abou-Ganim, aka the Modern Mixologist has directed the judging now for his 6thyear and says of the event, “I continue to be flattered and humbled to be a part of a competition with some of the best palates in the world. I look forward to it all year and it is a great way for an established or unknown spirit to gain credibility in this business.   The winners feel the impact of the competition’s results in significant ways and use the results to help build both their sales and reputations globally.” For more information about the judges, please visit http://sfspiritscomp.com/about/judges.   About the Competition Founded in the new millennium year of 2000 by noted wine & spirits critic and competition director Anthony Dias Blue, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has gained a reputation as the leading gauge for spirits trends and top quality products in the country. Noted journalists, distillers, beverage directors, mixologists, restaurateurs, Master Sommeliers, hoteliers, consultants, educators comprise the august body of judges.   The continued growth of entries (more than 100 this year) annually points to an undeniable love affair with distillate products in the United States.   For interviews, images and media information, please contact Kimberly Charles at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463 ext.101. Please also like our page at San Francisco World Spirits Competition on Facebook, and follow the competition on Twitter and Instagram at #SFWSC.     #   #   #

    Oregon Craft Saké Brand Momokawa Announces Package Refinement America’s #1 Craft Saké Brand Momokawa Announces Label Relaunch   Forest Grove, OR – The advent of spring always signals fashion week in NYC and Milan and appropriately this March, Momokawa, the number one craft saké brand in the United States, is unveiling striking new label colors for their award-winning SKUs.   Momokawa’s top-selling line of ultra-premium junmai ginjo saké is refreshed in new colors and matching closures representative of their jewel-inspired names. The pioneering Oregon-based craft saké brewer modified the packaging in such a way that the new colors pop off the shelves allowing consumers to clearly differentiate and locate each Momokawa saké variety. The striking colors bring to life the accompanying, iconic splatter design labels originally created by master label designer Jeffrey Caldewey.   “The color refinement is a direct result of observations by both retailers and consumers that the differences between the bottles were very subtle and hard to differentiate,” says Brian Lynch, VP of National Sales for SakéOne.   For ease of consumer identification, America’s number one ultra-premium saké[1], Momokawa Diamond, will retain its original blue label color and Momokawa’s ultra-premium organic products will retain their original green label color.   Within each newly dressed bottle, the award-winning craft saké that makes Momokawa America’s #1 craft saké brand remains the same.   The new labels will launch this spring, 2015; the new Pearl label will release mid-March, the Silver label late April, and the Ruby label April to early May.   Consumers and trade professionals can see the new packaging in person at several upcoming events, including: SF Vintner’s Market, April 11-12, Saké Fest PDX, June 25, Tales of the Cocktail New Orleans, July 15-19, SF Outside Lands, August 7-9, and Joy of Saké NYC, September 18.   Label launch support materials are available upon request, including a trifold brochure, printable 6-up shelf talkers, and bottle images.   About Momokawa Saké:   Momokawa is Oregon craft Junmai Ginjo saké, brewed with time-honored techniques and the pioneering spirit of the Pacific Northwest.  Launched in 1998, Momokawa was the first commercial craft saké brand in America, and the first saké brewery in Oregon.   According to the latest Nielsen statistics that tracked the last 52 weeks of sales up until January 3, 2015, Momokawa is America’s number one craft saké brand, America’s second largest selling ultra-premium brand in retail, and Momokawa Diamond is America’s number one ultra-premium saké.   For interviews, images and media information, please contact Kimberly Charles at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463. #   #   #   [1] Nielsen 52 weeks through January 2015  

                 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Marks 15th Anniversary with Largest Number of Entrants Ever   San Francisco, CA – More than fourteen hundred different bottles of high-end spirits under one roof for one weekend in the heart of San Francisco – sounds like the best ever pop-up bar or swank soiree in the world.   And it just might be for the 42 spirits professionals among the best palates and personalities in the world of spirits, who will be judging the largest international spirits competition in America.   The 15th Annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition, from March 20-22, 2015 will pit the world’s best whisk(e)ys, gins, tequilas, mezcals, sojus, baijius, rums – you name it – against each other  at the elegant Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco.   The competition has mirrored, and spurred, the spirits industry’s explosive growth over the last 15 years. The inaugural 2000 World Spirits Competition welcomed 12 judges and 292 entries in 59 categories. The 2014 competition saw over 400 spirits from the United States alone, and this year, for the second consecutive year, more than 1,400 spirits will participate in 90 categories.  “We have always been a bellwether for trends in spirits consumption and growth.  Our caliber of judges, our international reputation and professional organization of the competition helps the marketplace be assured of tremendous quality control and opportunities,” says competition director and spirits guru Anthony Dias Blue.   Entries continue to pour in for the 2015 competition with an extended deadline of March 11th.   The list of judges is as impressive as the bottle list. Blue, the Executive Director and competition founder, is a James Beard award-winning radio host, the Editor-in-Chief of both The Tasting Panel Magazine and The SOMM Journal, as well as the author of 9 spirits, wine, and food-focused books.   Over the last 15 years, he and his director of judging, Tony Abou-Ganim, the Modern Mixologist, have recruited the industry’s top writers, bartenders, and personalities to judge, including Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Doug Frost, who judged the inaugural 2000 competition, and Esquire Magazine and Saveur spirits writer David Wondrich among many others.   In addition to ace palates, glassware is as paramount to the high performance outcome of competition as the liquid it holds.  For the first time in its 15-year run, the competition will exclusively use the NEAT glass. The new industry standard for spirits tasting, with a patented design, NEAT glasses are scientifically engineered with a compressed lip and flared rim to enhance the judging experience. “We have rigorously tested the NEAT Glass in comparative tastings with other spirits glasses,“ says Blue. “It is the only glass that eliminates alcohol burn while enhancing aroma. It showcases all the nuance and complexity that the spirit’s producer intended.”   The breadth and detail of entrant categories exemplifies America’s cocktail revolution, and evolution, and the competition has become the rite of passage for the highest quality bottles that line the shelves of leading restaurants and bars. Cachaça and nut liqueurs get their own Best in Show categories, for instance, while the competition organizes whisk(e)y entrants into 13 different sub-categories – from best Single Malt to best Irish Whiskey to the best over-11-year-old single barrel Bourbon.   “Every year with this event we see the emerging trends in the spirits category. Often, our event is a launchpad for a burgeoning trend to be taken seriously. Prior to our event, smaller categories such as Pisco, Calvados, Cachaça and Mezcal were little known in this country. Now, bartenders and journalists worldwide turn their attention to our results to gauge the marketplace,” says Director Blue. “Over the last 15 years as we’ve witnessed this explosive growth in spirits, we also note that the further sub-categorization of aging and types of spirits is proliferating. We are in an exciting time in the beverage business.”     About the Competition Founded in the new millennium year of 2000 by noted wine & spirits critic and competition director Anthony Dias Blue, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has gained a reputation as the leading gauge for spirits trends and top quality products in the country and worldwide. Noted journalists, distillers, beverage directors, mixologists, restaurateurs, Master Sommeliers, hoteliers, consultants, educators comprise the august body of judges.   The continued double-digit growth of entries annually points to an undeniable love affair with distillate products in the United States. For interviews, images and media information, please contact Kimberly Charles at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463. Please also Like our page at San Francisco World Spirits Competition on Facebook, and follow the competition on Twitter at #SFWSC.     #   #   #

    Lodi Wins 2014 ‘GEELA’ for the Region’s Sustainability Efforts Lodi Rules™ is honored by Jerry Brown at the annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Ceremony in Sacramento   Lodi, CA – Governor Jerry Brown’s annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) ceremony honored the Lodi Winegrape Commission and its Lodi Rules™ for Sustainable Winegrowing program last night at the California Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Sacramento. The award represents the highest environmental award in the state of California. The Lodi Winegrape Commission was one of twelve California organizations that received the distinction, recognized for its mission to address major environmental, economic and social challenges facing California agricultural industry.   "We are honored to receive this recognition of the innovative leadership of the Winegrape growers of Lodi and their commitment to sustainability, the community and farming for generations to come,” said Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission.   Lodi Rules™ is California’s first 3rd party-certified sustainable winegrowing program. It promotes practices that enhance biodiversity, soil and water health, community and employee well being, ensuring that quality grape-growing 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.   Launched in 2005, Lodi Rules™ grew out of the Lodi Sustainable Winegrowing program, which was awarded a 2006 GEELA for success with promoting grower adoption of Integrated Pest Management practices. Since then, the Lodi Rules™ has expanded and evolved, with the program growing to over 85 farming operations, and 20,000 acres of Lodi vineyards that have been certified. There are an additional 6,000 acres certified from Sonoma to Soledad. Over twenty wineries now produce wines that bare the Lodi Rules™ seal on the label.   These region-wide standards have been endorsed by Protected Harvest, a non-profit organization comprised of scientists, academics and environmentalists that certifies farmer’s use of stringent environmental growing standards.   There are now 101 farming practice standards in six chapters: Business Management, Human Resources, Ecosystem Management, Soil Management, Water Management, and Pest Management. Go to www.lodiwine.com for a complete list of updated Lodi Rules™ standards.   The 2014 GEELA finalists were chosen by a panel of judges that included the Governor’s Office and the secretaries of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency; the California Department of Food and Agriculture; the California Environmental Protection Agency; the California Health and Human Services Agency; the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency; the California Natural Resources Agency; and the California State Transportation Agency. For more information on the GEELA program and this year’s award recipients, please visit www.calepa.ca.gov/Awards/GEELA/.   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 80 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.    For media inquiries regarding Lodi Rules, the Lodi region and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.   ###

    Lodi Native Project to debut at ZAP’s 2015 Zinfandel Experience The critically acclaimed wines will be featured at exclusive trade & media seminars   San Francisco, CA– ZAP’s 24th annual Zinfandel Experience will go au naturel to showcase its flagship grape in its most authentic form in 2015. The acclaimed Lodi Native Project will make its debut at the annual Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Zinfandel Experience, as the focus of two trade seminars surrounding the January 29-31 events.   Lodi Native™ is a collaborative project by six winegrowers of like mind, living and working in the Lodi American Viticultural Area – particularly Lodi’s historic Mokelumne River sub-AVA.  Their mission:  to turn the spotlight on the region’s heritage plantings – many of them dating back to the late 1800s – through sensible viticulture and minimalist winemaking practices, beginning with native yeast fermentation and use of no new oak.  The focus is on Zinfandel, but on the taste of vineyards rather than varietal character or brand.   2012 was the inaugural vintage, but the ever-growing crescendo of accolades surrounding the project have ensured a 2013 (and beyond!) release, as well as a growing list of wineries hopeful to participate in future vintages.   The result has been overwhelmingly positive, with Vinography founder and JancisRobinson.com contributor Alder Yarrow recently calling the project: “One of the most exciting things to happen to California wine in years”.   The project will be featured at ZAP’s select, invitation-only trade workshops and seminars, geared towards media as well as restaurant/retail/distribution professionals.     Zinfandel is Rising, Wednesday, January 28 Rock Wall Wine Company (2301 Monarch, Alameda CA 94501) 1:00pm - 2:00pm Seminar -- 2:00pm - 5:00pm Tasting   The Wednesday, January 28th event, entitled Zinfandel is Rising, will take place at Rock Wall Wine Company in Alameda. Moderated by multi-award-winning wine journalist Randy Caparoso, SOMM Journal Editor-at-Large and architect behind the Lodi Native Project, the seminar will feature a presentation of Lodi Native wines as well as a selection of first-rate Zinfandel contemporaries aimed to challenge previously-held assumptions about the grape variety.   Caparoso’s distinguished panelists are wine.com’s Wilfred Wong, NOPA’s Lulu McAllister and Wine Spectator’s Tim Fish, all of whom will address the versatility, potential and trajectory of the varietal in today’s retail, restaurant and digital markets.   2 complimentary tickets per qualified media or trade. Additional tickets can be purchased for $25 each. Call the ZAP office to place an order (530.274.4900), or check the appropriate box when registering to attend ZAP.   Sommelier & Winemakers Terroir Workshop, Saturday, January 31, 11:45am – 3:15pm Golden Gate Club & Film Centre Presidio of San Francisco 135 Fisher Loop, SF, CA 94129 The Sommelier & Winemakers Terroir Workshop will kick-off the Saturday, January 31st series of ZAP events at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio (also available exclusively to trade and media and officially co-sponsored by The SOMM Journal). The first workshop of the day offers another chance to sample the Lodi Natives and meet some of the winemakers behind the project. Lodi AVA Segment (11:45am - 12:15pm) ·       Randy Caparoso – The SOMM Journal & LodiWine.com contributor ·       Tim Holdener – Lodi Native Project & Macchia Wines ·       Layne Montgomery – Lodi Native Project & m2 Wines The Saturday workshops will focus on Zinfandel from the perspective of sommeliers: with an emphasis on terroir. In addition to the Lodi Native workshop, Caparoso will moderate four sommelier/winemaker workshops focused on some of California’s undervalued and/or overlooked Zinfandel regions. Trade and media entrance is complimentary - first come, first seated. More information can be found on the Zinfandel Experience website.   Trade tasting is for qualified trade or media only. Qualifications for trade: You must be a representative of a licensed on-or off-premise wine buyer/seller.  This includes Distributors & Licensed Brokers, Restaurants and Retailers.   For event media inquiries and registration please contact Patricia Schneider - patricia@elementalmeme.com   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 80 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.   About the Lodi Native Project   The Lodi Native mission is to demonstrate to more sophisticated consumers, media (print and blogosphere) and gatekeepers (such as specialty retailers and sommeliers/restaurateurs) that distinguished, distinctly identifiable vineyards exist in Lodi, similar to other great wine regions of the world. To encourage preservation and appreciation of old vine plantings – well as of Lodi’s long tradition of grower/custodians – by focusing more attention on vineyard sites, vis-à-vis real and tangible sensory expressions in each bottling. To build professional camaraderie, a culture of information sharing, and new challenges for Lodi’s Zinfandel specialists. Click here for winemaking protocols.   For media inquiries regarding the Lodi Native project, the Lodi region and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.   About ZAP   About Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) Zinfandel Advocates & Producers is a 501(c) (3) non-profit, educational organization dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history. Winegrowers, winemakers and wine enthusiasts comprise the membership. The common focus is the preservation and recognition of Zinfandel as America’s grape. The Zinfandel Experience is the largest single varietal tasting of its kind, now celebrating its 24th year.   ZAP Media Contact: Paticia Schneider 415-717-7595 or patricia@elementalmeme.com       # # #    

      The Ultimate Pre-Valentine’s Weekend Escape Lodi’s 18th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend, February 7th & 8th, 2015 featuring BRIX Chocolate   Lodi, CA – Few culinary delights inspire romance quite like wine and chocolate and no wine region marries the two together better than Lodi! Northern California’s favorite pre-Valentine’s Day celebration marks its 18th year when Lodi’s annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend returns next month. Winery tastings and events are scheduled for Saturday, February 7th and Sunday, February 8th, from 11am to 4pm each day. The ultimate romantic California getaway, treat someone special to Lodi Wine Country and fall in love with the diversity of handcrafted wines from the Lodi region alongside decadent chocolate treats by BRIX Chocolate.   BRIX Chocolate (www.brixchocolate.com) returns as the high-end confectioner and official chocolate sponsor of this year’s celebration, generously donating the commemorative chocolate treats that all event attendees will receive. BRIX is the first line of chocolates specifically blended to compliment wine, based on the varietal. At the root of BRIX is single-origin Ghanaian chocolate (known for its red fruit tones) mixed with the highest quality confectionery chocolate. The result is a blend so pure in flavor that it actually enhances those nuances found in great wines, without confusing the palate.   In addition to exceptional wines and select chocolate, event attendees to Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend will have the exclusive opportunity to visit over 50 participating wineries over the course of two days and engage in various activities such as wine and chocolate tastings, barrel sampling, live music and winery tours. Over 100 prizes will be awarded to lucky wine and chocolate lovers, including one Lodi Wine Country Getaway, earned by the attendee who finds the “Golden Ticket” hidden within the wrapper of their chocolate treat included with entry.   “Lodi’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend is the quintessential occasion for anyone interested in one of the greatest gustatory pleasures: the pairing of wine and chocolate,” said Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “Not only does this event offer exceptional wines, but one can experience the passion, heritage and variety of the Lodi wine region.”   Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.lodiwineandchocolate.com or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at 209|365.0621.  Advance tickets cost $55 per person and $65 per person on the day(s) of the event.  Tickets include a wine glass, a chocolate treat from BRIX Chocolate, wine tasting and admission to all participating wineries. Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday and there is no charge for designated drivers. ALL attendees must be 21 and over to attend.   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.   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 80 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.   # # # 

***MEDIA ALERT***MEDIA ALERT***MEDIA ALERT***         Lodi, California’s 18th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend February 7th & 8th, 2015   WHO: Presented by LoCA – The Wines of Lodi, California. Over 50 boutique Lodi wineries specializing in quality, handcrafted wines.  WHAT: This year marks the 18th occasion of one of Northern California’s favorite Valentine’s Weekend celebrations: Lodi’s annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend. Bring someone special to Lodi Wine Country and fall in love with the diversity of handcrafted wines from the Lodi winegrowing region along with sweet & savory chocolate treats at more than 50 Lodi wineries. Advance tickets cost $55 per person and $65 per person the day of the event. Tickets include an event wine glass, a chocolate treat from event sponsor Brix Chocolate, an event map and guide, wine tasting and admission to all participating wineries. Don’t forget to check your chocolate treat for a “Golden Ticket” and a chance to win a Lodi Wine Country Getaway or one of over 100 additional prizes!   Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the winery’s hosted activities including wine and chocolate sampling, live music, barrel tastings and cellar tours.  Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday. There is no charge for designated drivers. All guests (including designated drivers) must be 21 years of age or older. All tickets are non-refundable. Guests should be aware that there is a new policy regarding large groups and full-sized buses. For more details on this policy, guests may visit the event website. WHEN: Festivities are scheduled for Saturday, February 7th and Sunday, February 8th, from 11am to 4pm each day.  WHERE: At participating wineries throughout the entire Lodi Wine Region. For additional details on locations, please visit lodiwineandchocolate.com.  MORE: The Lodi Wine Region, which has been a major winegrape growing region since the 1850’s and today is farmed by over 750 growers, is home to more than 80 boutique wineries. Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Lodi wine region features over 100,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.  With 100 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 dozens of others. In addition, Lodi is the leading wine region 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, visit www.lodiwine.com CONTACT: For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com # # #