Livermore, CA – Wente Vineyards will host their seventh annual The Front Porch Music Festival this Saturday, August 31st, and feature The Kin, from New York City, and Bay Area based, The Stone Foxes, as co-headliners.1   The Kin recently returned from a successful trip to Australia, where they toured with megastar, P!nk. The group just confirmed they will be the opening band during her U.S. tour as well, which kicks off locally at the Oakland Oracle Arena on October 10th, 2013. The Stone Foxes is a captivating new addition to the stellar lineup. Having performed at one of Wente Vineyards’ Homegrown concerts last year as well as Outside Lands in 2011, the group continues to sell out venues statewide. The complete list of artists in order of performance include: Garage Band Academy Lisa Marie Johnston Crawdad Republic The Front Porch Wolf Hamlin & The Front Porch Drifters The Stone Foxes The Kin The festival will be held on August 31st, 2013 at Wente Vineyards Estate Winery & Tasting Room (5565 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA 94550) from 2pm – 9:30pm. Food, wine and beer will be available for purchase; no outside food or drink is allowed. Tickets are $20 in advance and can be purchased at TicketWeb.com; tickets will be available to purchase at the door for $30. This event is recommended for ages 12 and up. Alternate routes to Livermore during the Bay Bridge's closure include taking 101 South to the San Mateo Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge to Richmond Bridge and BART. Details can be found here. About Wente Vineyards Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country; owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The winery draws from nearly 3,000 acres of Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. Wente Vineyards is distributed in all 50 states and in over 70 countries worldwide.  In 2010, Wente Vineyards was among the first wineries to receive the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing designation, and one of the only wineries to certify every aspect of its business. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and a top 30 wine company by Wine Business Monthly. 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California. Today, the Wente clone of Chardonnay is the most widely planted in California. This year, the winery celebrates its 130th anniversary.   Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations. The property features wine tasting, world-class concerts, award-winning fine dining and championship golf. For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com.   For media inquiries, please contact Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463. # # # [1] Due to scheduling conflicts, The Lone Bellow will no longer be a co-headliner at the event. The band is planning to perform at the winery in the near future.

***MEDIA ALERT*** MEDIA ALERT *** MEDIA ALERT ***     WHO: Wente Vineyards and Fifth Generation Winemaker, Karl Wente, will be hosting the seventh annual The Front Porch Music Festival, a full day of nationally acclaimed indie bands performing at Wente Vineyards Estate Winery & Tasting Room in the heart of the beautiful Livermore Valley.   WHAT: Due to the opening of the new Bay Bridge, the entire bridge will be closed from August 28th-September 3rd, 2013. There are two easy, alternate routes from San Francisco to Livermore, which include:   ·      101 South to San Mateo Bridge, taking 880 North to 580 East ·      Golden Gate Bridge to Richmond Bridge, taking 580 East   Please allow a little extra travel time due to this closure.    WHEN: - Bay Bridged Closed: August 28th-September 3rd, 2013 - The Front Porch Music Festival at Wente Vineyards August 31st, 2013, 2- 9pm   WHERE: Wente Vineyards Estate Winery & Tasting Room, 5565 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA 94550   MORE: Although the Bay Bridge’s closure requires savvy ways to get from San Francisco to the East Bay, this mini-Outside Lands style music festival is one not to miss. The stellar lineup includes a total of seven bands to include Karl Wente’s band (performing alongside former American Idol contestant, Wolf Hamlin) and two major names in the independent music genre: The Lone Bellow and The Kin.   The Lone Bellow kicked off their musical excursion in the Bay Area this year with their outstanding show at Outside Lands—footage can be viewed here. Their second and only other gig in the area will be at Wente Vineyards. The Kin recently returned from touring in Australia, where they were the opening band for pop sensation, P!nk. This will be their exclusive performance in the Bay Area as well.   About Wente Vineyards Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country; owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The winery draws from nearly 3,000 acres of Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California. Today, the Wente clone of Chardonnay is the most widely planted in California. This year, the winery celebrates its 130th anniversary.   CONTACT: For more information, please visit http://www.wentevineyards.com/news/events/harvest_wine_celebration1/.   For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.      # # #

Lodi, CA – Join Lodi Appellation’s vintners as they celebrate California Wine Month with the second annual Lodi Road Trip Passport. Kicking off on Sunday, September 1st, 2013, and running through Monday, September 30th, 2013, this month-long event boasts over 150 unique and engaging activities collectively, hosted by nearly 50 participating Lodi wineries.   Experiences like LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards’ Cycling Excursion on September 2nd or Klinker Brick Winery’s “Iron Man: Pick, Run, Stomp” Contest, taking place on September 28th, appeal to the adventure-seeking wine enthusiasts. Those interested in adding an educational element to their road trip are encouraged to check out vineyard tours, bottle-your-own-wine opportunities and blending seminars by Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards, Estate Crush, Harney Lane Winery and the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center. Over 14 Lodi wineries will offer food connoisseurs the ultimate gastronomical experience with delicious pairings of wine with creamy cheeses, rich chocolates, barbecued sausage or fresh-shucked oysters.   “Lodi’s Road Trip Passport is the perfect opportunity for visitors to meet and get to know our passionate vintners while experiencing the diversity of the region in an exciting, new way,” states Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “With such an action-packed calendar of festivities during the most exciting time of year, harvest, it will be extremely difficult to find a reason not to visit Lodi wine country this September.”   During the month of September, participating wineries will also be offering exclusive discounts on wine tastings and bottle or case purchases to those who purchase a Lodi Road Trip passport booklet. Passport holders can also expect to receive special offers from over 20 Lodi area restaurants, hotels and boutique businesses.   Passports are $20 per person and can be purchased online at www.LodiRoadTrip.com or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at 209.365.0621. Passport holders must be 21 years of age or older to enjoy Lodi wines; passports are non-refundable.   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 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. For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com. For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.   # # #

***MEDIA ALERT*** MEDIA ALERT *** MEDIA ALERT *** WHO: Historical wineries, Wente Vineyards and Murrieta’s Well, will be hosting celebratory festivities at their respective properties this Labor Day weekend for the 32nd Annual Harvest Wine Celebration in Livermore Valley Wine Country.   WHAT: Wente Vineyards will be sampling a selection of their award-winning wines, along with bites from Catering with Wente Vineyards and Scotty’s Catering for purchase. There will be live music from Georgi & the Roughweek on Sunday and Crawdad Republic on Monday. Small Lot wines will also be available to sample for a nominal fee.   Just five minutes down the road from Wente Vineyards Estate Winery & Tasting Room, Murrieta’s Well will feature a barrel tasting of 2012 Los Tesoros Malbec for a nominal fee, live music by Silent Partner, local vendor showcase and delicious food offerings from Dickey’s BBQ.   Tickets for the Harvest Celebration are $55 in advance and $65 day-of and can be purchased online at lvwine.org. This will give one access to tastings at all participating wineries. Designated driver passes are also available to purchase the day of the event for $10.    WHEN: Sunday & Monday, September 1st & 2nd, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.   WHERE: Wente Vineyards Estate Winery & Tasting Room, 5565 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA 94550 and Murrieta’s Well, 3005 Mines Road, Livermore CA 94550   MORE: The Harvest Celebration will be showcasing over 40 wineries in the Livermore Valley region. Included in the ticket cost is: entrance into the participating wineries, complimentary wine tasting at over 40 wineries, shuttle bus service between wineries (Sunday only), special activities all weekend long, wine discounts, a commemorative Livermore Valley Wine Country glass and a program.   Ticket sale proceeds will benefit the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association, a non-profit organization that supports the wineries and growers in the Livermore Valley American Viticultural Area.   About Wente Vineyards Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country; owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The winery draws from nearly 3,000 acres of Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California. Today, the Wente clone of Chardonnay is the most widely planted in California. This year, the winery celebrates its 130th anniversary.   About Murrieta’s Well With a deeply rooted history, unsurpassed terroir and rich winemaking heritage, Murrieta’s Well is one of California’s original treasures. The estate was originally propagated by Louis Mel in 1883 with vineyard cuttings from Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Margaux. During the same era, he built a gravity-flow winery into the hillside adjacent to the property’s artesian well. In 1990, Philip Wente and Sergio Traverso realized a lifelong dream to revive the historic property, and since then, the two have been crafting estate blends that highlight the best attributes of the terroir.   CONTACT: For more information, please visit http://www.wentevineyards.com/news/events/harvest_wine_celebration1/.   For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 orpress@charlescomm.com.      # # #

Fifteen of Wines of Uruguay's (WoU) 23 member wineries, an association focused on international export and committed to promoting the quality and image of Uruguayan wine throughout the world, will pour many of their finest wines in a 3-city U.S. trade tasting tour in Washington DC, Austin, and San Francisco this summer. Each winery will pour up to six wines with an emphasis on Tannat.  The events are for members of the trade and press.   The fifteen wineries on the U.S. tour are:  Antigua Bodega Stagnari – Artesana – Bouza – Carrau – De Lucca – Garzón – Gimenez Mendez – Irurtia – Juanicó – Marichal – Narbona – Pisano – Pizzorno – Toscanini – Traversa

   Washington DC: Monday, September 9, 1-5pm Embassy of Uruguay 1913 I Street NW Press Contact: Wendy Gordon (202) 412-6268; gordon.wendy@gmail.com   Austin, TX: Wednesday, September 11, 1-5pm Swoop House 3012 Gonzalez Press Contact: David Furer (954) 778-5712; uruguaywinetour@gmail.com   San Francisco, CA: Thursday, September 12, 12-5pm 12-12:45pm: Presentation and Discussion with Winemaker Francisco Carrau, Master Sommelier Gilles de Chambure and WoU Consultant David Furer Golden Gate Club at the Presidio 135 Fisher Loop Press Contact: Kimberly Charles (415) 701-9463; press@charlescomm.com    The U.S. and Canada are Uruguay’s largest export markets after Brazil. With more Tannat grown in Uruguay than the rest of the world combined, Tannat is Uruguay’s signature variety. Originating from the Madiran region of southwestern France, Tannat was brought to Uruguay in the 1870s. Wineries have also found success with Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Albariño and Viognier.   For more information, contact David Furer, WoU Consultant (954) 778-5712; uruguaywinetour@gmail.com or visit www.uruguaywinetour.com or WoU’s website www.winesofuruguay.com. # # #

Livermore, CA – Fifth Generation Winemaker Karl Wente of Wente Vineyards partners with the Bay Area’s leading indie music source, The Bay Bridged, Livermore Audi, popchips, Simply Fondue and European Wax Center to present the seventh annual indie music celebration, The Front Porch Music Festival Saturday, August 31, 2013. This year’s event will feature some of the category’s best performers including:  The Lone Bellow The Kin Wolf Hamlin & The Front Porch Drifters The Front Porch Crawdad Republic Lisa Marie Johnston Garage Band Academy “The music industry is constantly evolving, and being based in the Bay Area, one of the most innovative regions in the country, it’s a privilege to host a series that supports emerging talent,” states Karl Wente. “Music is constantly influencing my life in morethan one creative aspect—it’s a way for me to step back and reflect on everyday responsibilities.”   Located just 45 minutes east of San Francisco with a striking background of rolling hills and vineyards, Livermore Valley’s Wente Vineyards creates a picture-perfect setting for the full-day music festival. Guests will enjoy live music on the lawn, acoustic performances, and a variety of award-winning Wente Family Estates wines.   An avid proponent for supporting the local community, Wente Vineyards will feature regional food vendors at the festival, including Ken’s Wood Fired Pizza andGhirardelli Chocolate. Additionally, a portion of the event’s profits will go in support of the Wente Foundation for Arts and Education, the Wente family’s organization that financially supports arts programs and creates opportunities for talented children and students across the country.   The festival will be held on August 31, 2013 at the Wente Vineyards Estate Winery & Tasting Room (5565 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA 94550) from 2pm – 9pm. Food, wine and beer will be available for purchase; no outside food or drink is allowed. Tickets for the unbeatable lineup are $20 in advance and can be purchased atTicketWeb.com; tickets will be available to purchase at the door for $30. This event is for ages 12 and up only.   About Wente Vineyards Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country; owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The winery draws from nearly 3,000 acres of Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. Wente Vineyards is distributed in all 50 states and in over 70 countries worldwide.  In 2010, Wente Vineyards was among the first wineries to receive the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing designation, and one of the only wineries to certify every aspect of its business. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and a top 30 wine company by Wine Business Monthly. 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California. Today, the Wente clone of Chardonnay is the most widely planted in California. This year, the winery celebrates its 130th anniversary.   Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations. The property features wine tasting, world-class concerts, award-winning fine dining and championship golf. For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com.   For media inquiries, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.   # # #

HEALDSBURG, CA This summer, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery® is delighted to introduceScharffen Berger® Chocolate artisan chocolate into its Seasons of the Vineyard™ Wine Shop. Opened officially on July 1st, the shop will become the flagship store for Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker in Healdsburg Plaza. It will offer a range of gourmet chocolate for sale, wine and chocolate pairing events and a fun educational experience about bean-to-bar chocolate making. Throughout the years, guests of Seasons of the Vineyard have enjoyed one-of-a-kind shopping experiences, signature wine tastings from Ferrari-Carano and Lazy Creek Vineyards, and live performances by local jazz musicians. Now, Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker’s gourmet assortment of products, including gifts and baking chocolates, will be available for purchase in the boutique. The Seasons of the Vineyard tasting bar will also feature the Scharffen Berger chocolate in new, expertly coordinated wine and chocolate pairing events.   “The Ferrari-Carano team is very excited about the collaboration with Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker,” said Rhonda Carano, co-founder of Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery. “I have always had a fondness for delicious chocolate, as mygrandmother was a chocolatier. Some of my happiest memories are of watching her dipping chocolates on a marble slab. Those are the one-of-a-kind tasting experiences that I am thrilled to offer at Seasons of the Vineyard withScharffen Berger chocolate and Ferrari-Carano wines. It seems like a match made in heaven for the discerning palates of Healdsburg residents and visitors alike to experience.” In addition to its presence at Ferrari-Carano’s Seasons of the Vineyard Wine Shop, Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker will be sponsoring several concerts during the Healdsburg “Tuesdays in the Plaza” summer concert series. This community favorite for live entertainment features talented artists, and it will allow concert-goers an opportunity to try a sample of Scharffen Bergerchocolate. "I am really pleased with Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker’s new partnership with Ferrari-Carano wines. I think that the complex layers of flavors in Scharffen Berger chocolate complement the well-developed flavors of Ferrari-Carano's wine,” said John Scharffenberger, co-founder of Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker. “Scharffen Berger chocolate continues to make superior chocolate by sourcing the best quality cacao beans, just as Robert Steinberg and I did when founding the company. Our use of traditional chocolate making equipment, together with premium cacao, ensures the great flavor and great tasting chocolate we are known for.”   August 17th Special Event On Saturday August 17th from 2-6 PM, a series of events will be held at Seasons of the Vineyard Wine Shop to celebrate the launch of the collaboration. The event will include a baking demo by James Beard Award-winning chef, Joanne Weir, showcasing a new single-origin chocolate from Scharffen Berger called San Juan de Cheni, and a discussion of cacao bean sourcing from cacao expert, Ray Major. Schedule is: 2-2:45 PM Baking Demo by Joanne Weir, 2:45-3:15 PM Cacao bean sourcing talk by Ray Major, 4-6 PM Summer Jazz Session with Chris Amberg & his Hot Dogs featuring the Young Brauts.  For additional information about Seasons of the Vineyard, visit: www.seasonsofthevineyard.com or call (707) 431-2222. Also, visit www.ferrari-carano.com for more information about Ferrari-Carano wines. For more information about Scharffen Berger chocolates, visit: www.scharffenberger.com. For details about the Tuesdays in the Plaza concert series, visit: www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us. About Ferrari-Carano Since 1985, Ferrari-Carano has been a leading producer of world class, nationally acclaimed wines. Vintage after vintage, the wines exhibit a remarkable consistency of style and elegance. Unlike their corporate competitors, Don and Rhonda Carano's uncompromising commitment to quality and excellence is a reflection of their desire to produce memorable wines that enhance the pleasures of gracious entertaining and not focus on short-term financial goals. About Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker was established in 1997 in San Francisco, California, and first earned national recognition for its artisan-quality chocolate in 1998. Producing bean-to-bar premium chocolate, Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker is one of the world's finest chocolate makers. All Scharffen Berger chocolate is composed of proprietary bean blends from up to nine different cacao-growing regions throughout the world. Scharffen Berger chocolate has received recognition throughout the U.S. for its high quality chocolate.  # # # 

Livermore Valley, CA – The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation and The Wente Foundation for Arts Education will present checks to the beneficiaries of the Livermore Valley Wine Auction on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 5:00pm at the Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort and Spa, 4549 Cross Road in the Livermore Valley. Media and guests are invited to attend from 5:00pm to 6:00pm to enjoy a wine and cheese reception plus a short presentation and photo opportunity. Following the check presentation will be a dinner hosted by the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association. To RSVP for the reception and/or purchase tickets to the dinner, please contact Brandi Addington at membership@lvwine.org.    About the Livermore Valley Wine Auction The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation and the Wente Foundation for Arts Education are pleased to announce that $280,000 was raised at the 19th annual Livermore Valley Wine Auction on May 11, 2013 for the five beneficiary organizations:OpenHeart Kitchen, ValleyCare Foundation, Happy Talkers, Bankhead Theater, and Livermore Valley Education Foundation.    The Livermore Valley Wine Auction was generously sponsored by the following companies as Master Sommelier Sponsors: FedEx, Diablo Magazine, The Safeway Foundation, and The Rose Hotel.  Many other local companies sponsored at the Sommelier, Wine Lover, and Friends of the Foundation levels, as well as donated items to the live and silent auction. “The tremendous support we receive from sponsors and donors makes the Auction a great success,” said Peter Leary, President of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation Board.   The Wine Auction, held in the Barrel Room at the Wente Vineyards Estate Winery, was attended by approximately 300 guests who enthusiastically bid on 61 silent auction items and 22 live auction packages. In addition, the guests generously raised their bidding paddles during the Fund-a-Need portion, raising $30,000 for Open Heart Kitchen. During the silent auction, sixteen Livermore Valley winemakers poured their wines, showcasing the range and quality of wines grown and produced in the region.   About the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation and the Wente Family Foundation for Arts Education The mission of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation is to raise funds to improve the quality of life for under-served local children. The mission of the Wente Family Foundation is to provide support for arts education programs in the Livermore Valley and throughout the United States. For more information on LVWF, please contact Brandi Addington, Auction Manager, at auctionmgr@lvwf.org or (925) 321-8338. For more information on the Wente Foundation for Arts Education, please contact Kimberly Charles at kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463.      #   #   #

Making festival history, the increasingly popular beverage will be served for the first time at Wine Lands San Francisco, CA – Momokawa, a premium craft saké produced by SakéOne in Forest Grove, Oregon, will join Wine Lands for the first time at the fifth annual Outside Lands, San Francisco’s music and arts festival that draws 200,000 attendees from around the world. SakéOne is one of the leading producers of Junmai Ginjo (premium) saké in the United States, with Momokawa as its flagship American-crafted brand. In addition to pouring saké at the festival for the first time, SakéOne will be introducing its Momokawa Organic Junmai Ginjo saké on draft, which will be served from a 662-ounce/19.57-liter size keg using “Guinness Gas,” a blend of 75% Nitrogen and 25% CO2 to ensure the delicate saké’s aromatics and flavors stay fresh. The keg will be enclosed in a specially designed Japanese Taiko Drum, created by Brooklyn-based Draft Choice Corp. The San Francisco foodie crowd also loves indie music, so serving up an organic American made saké is a perfect fit for the ever progressive food & craft beverage scene in San Francisco. Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival will take place on August 9 – 11 at San Francisco’s historic Golden Gate Park. Joining Momokawa at Wine Lands will be an additional 30+ wineries. General admission tickets are currently sold out; 3-day VIP tickets are available here. For more information on Momokawa at Outside Lands, please visit http://www.sfoutsidelands.com/wine/. About Momokawa Re-launched in May of 2011, Momokawa is the core American brand of SakéOne, America’s premium saké company based in Forest Grove, Oregon. Deeply rooted in tradition and technique, Momokawa is celebrated and perhaps best known for pioneering the revolution of saké in the United States. Momokawa is a Junmai Ginjo saké, which is made from domestically-grown Calrose rice under the watchful eye of sakémaster, Greg Lorenz, with help from Japanese brewers by employing traditional Japanese production techniques. Momokawa currently produces six different labels: Silver, Diamond, Ruby, Pearl, Organic Nigori and Organic Junmai Ginjo. The company is focused on expanding the enjoyment of premium saké in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.sakeone.com/momokawa. For media information and interviews, please contact Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463. # # #

***MEDIA ALERT*** MEDIA ALERT *** MEDIA ALERT *** Enjoy a full day of live performances from nationally acclaimed indie artists and delicious wines from Wente Vineyards WHO: As an ongoing effort to support emerging musicians, Fifth Generation Winemaker Karl Wente and Wente Vineyards partner up with the Bay Area’s leading indie music source, The Bay Bridged, and welcome guests to their 7th annual The Front Porch Music Festival, held at Wente Vineyards Estate Winery & Tasting Room. WHAT: The concert will feature performances by nationally acclaimed indie artists with a variety of award winning wines from Wente Vineyards. Tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the door and can be purchased online at TicketWeb.com. This year’s line-up will include:   The Kin The Lone Bellow Wolf Hamlin & The Front Porch Drifters The Front Porch Crawdad Republic Lisa Marie Johnston Garage Band Academy WHEN: Saturday, August 31st, 2013 from 2 – 10 p.m. WHERE: Wente Vineyards Estate Tasting Room, 5565 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA 94550 MORE: Guests will be able to enjoy performances on the lawn with chairs and blankets. The festival will also feature regional food vendors; wine will be available for purchase, no outside drinks permitted. A portion of the proceeds will go towards the Wente Foundation for Arts and Education, the Wente family’s organization dedicated to supporting arts programs and creating opportunities for talented children and students across the country. This event is for ages 12 and up only. ABOUT: Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country; owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The winery draws from nearly 3,000 acres of Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. Wente Vineyards is distributed in all 50 states and in over 70 countries worldwide.  In 2010, Wente Vineyards was among the first wineries to receive the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing designation, and one of the only wineries to certify every aspect of its business. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and a top 30 wine company by Wine Business Monthly. 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California. Today, the Wente clone of Chardonnay is the most widely planted in California. This year, the winery celebrates its 130thanniversary. Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations. The property features wine tasting, world-class concerts, award-winning fine dining and championship golf. For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com. CONTACT: For more information, please visit http://wentevineyards.com/winery/the_front_porch_music_festival1/. For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.  # # #

         Graton, CA - Owner and CEO Derek Benham announced that Antonio Treviño has been promoted to Director of Winemaking Operations for Sonoma Wine Company and Purple Wine Company.  In this newly created role, he will supervise winemaking activities over the companies’ wine brands, control and private label wine programs and contract bottling services, as well as wine and grape sourcing.  Alex Cose will continue to lead winemaking at Purple Wine Company as Senior Vice President, while David Elliott and Richard Castle will continue to lead control label and private label winemaking for Sonoma Wine Company. Since joining Sonoma Wine Company in 2003, Treviño’s leadership has been instrumental in helping develop the winery into one of the North Coast’s leading winemaking facilities.  Holding positions of increasing responsibility, first as Senior Winemaker, and then as Director of Winemaking, he implemented measures to improve the winery’s production capabilities and services, improve energy efficiency and water conservation. It’s fitting that Trevino’s career has blossomed in the very cellar at the Graton location where he first began his career almost two decades ago, when the winery was under previous ownership.  His experience then led to winemaking positions at Hambrecht Vineyards and Wineries and Rodney Strong Vineyards.   “Antonio’s can-do attitude and steady-as-it goes demeanor has been a great asset to us as the companies have grown and evolved over the years.” commented Benham.   “The winemaking teams will now be collaborating more closely than ever under his leadership.” About Sonoma Wine Company Sonoma Wine Company is a crush-to-bottle contract winery offering crush, ferment, barrel, and bottle and warehousing services to wine programs of all sizes.  With superior customer service and a wide array of equipment, including state-of-the-art crush facilities, over two million gallons of stainless cooperage, and six modern bottling lines, the facility can tailor its services and highly experienced staff to match client’s programs.  The winery’s sustainability program contains innovations in water and energy efficiency and has been singled out for numerous awards.  Sonoma Wine Company is one of the few ISO-certified wineries in California offering contract services, and is certified by the California Sustainable Wine Growing Alliance.    About Purple Wine Company Purple Wine Company founded in 2001 by Derek Benham and based in Graton, California and was recently named to Inc. Magazine’s top 5,000 companies in 2012.  Its mission is to create wines of outstanding quality and consistent style from vintage to vintage.  The wines are bottled by its sister production company, Sonoma Wine Company using thoughtful and award-winning water and energy conservation practices while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Current brands include: Alto Cinco, Avalon, BEX, Four Vines and Cryptic.  Both Avalon and Four Vines were recently named Hot Prospect Brands by M. Shanken’s Impact Newsletter for 2012, tracking the most promising wine and spirits growth brands in the marketplace.  For more information, please visit www.purplewine.com.   For press inquiries, please contact Kimberly Charles at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.   #  #  #

                  Napa, CA & Jackson Hole, WY – Recent Top Chef Alum, Chef Elizabeth Binder, and Bunnery Natural Foods have teamed up to create a collection of recipes, which are a delicious twist on the traditional breakfast. The recent collaboration brings together Chef Elizabeth Binder’s love for cooking with local, fresh ingredients and Bunnery Natural Food’s all-natural products. With the motto “cooking from the heart with integrity,” Chef Elizabeth Binder, a Napa Valley based mother of two young children, is the ideal chef to collaborate with the wholesome, family-run granola & breakfast food company.   Chef Binder and Bunnery Natural Foods’ objective is to create unconventional breakfast recipes. According to Mintel, the estimated $12.5 billion breakfast foods category has experienced positive performance in recent years, posting gains of 19.5% in dollar sales from 2007 to 2011. Major national epicurean magazines have recently been introducing innovative recipes and twists on traditional staples such as Scallion Pancakes, Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes and Cinnamon Polenta Pancakes. Chef Binder’s innovative dishes strive to support this trend and offer even more unique ways to enjoy breakfast.   Chef Elizabeth Binder had an array of culinary experiences leading up to her appearance on the Emmy and James Beard-winning series “Top Chef” in 2012. Bunnery Natural Foods is an artisanal company based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming that creates 100% natural granolas, oatmeal and pancake & waffle mixes. Together, this dynamic duo have come up with some irresistible recipes including Bunnery Oats, Sunflower Seeds & Millet (O.S.M.) Double Chocolate Pancakes with Strawberries and Mascarpone and Bunnery O.S.M. Waffles with Vodka Cured Salmon. Click here for detailed recipes for these and other creative ideas using Bunnery Natural Foods' delicious blends.   About Chef Elizabeth Binder Executive Chef Elizabeth Binder was born and raised in South Africa where she attended the internationally recognized Christina Martin School of Food and Wine in her hometown of Durban. After working in South Africa, where at the age of 19, she became head chef at luxury hotel, Blue Mountain Lodge’s restaurant and cooked for F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, and the UK, where she cooked for Sir Terrence Conran’s Del Ponte and Sally Clarke at Clarke’s, she spent time traveling the globe to further deepen her knowledge of cuisine and experience of kitchens around the world. Seeking her next culinary adventure, she then moved to San Francisco where she worked with Traci de Jardin’s original team and eventually became the Executive Chef at award-winning, Italian-inspired Bar Bambino. In 2012, Binder was one of the four finalists on the Emmy and James Beard-winning series Top Chef.   About Bunnery Natural Foods Bunnery Natural Foods is a producer of all-natural, grain-based foods located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Bunnery Natural Foods granola blends and trademarked oats, sunflower seeds and millet (O.S.M) products are made from original recipes that have remained largely unchanged since the bakery’s beginnings. Bunnery Natural Foods owner Gérard Yvernault, a Jackson Hole resident since acquiring The Bunnery Bakery and Restaurant in 1990, spent much of his career in the luxury wine import sector before launching Bunnery Natural Foods products.  His insistence on the highest standards of quality, authenticity and balanced flavor translated seamlessly to the natural foods sector.     For media inquiries, images or interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.   # # #

Forest Grove, OR – SakéOne, America’s premium saké company, has released its second new imported saké for the year called Kasumi Tsuru, adding to the impressive domestic and imported portfolio of the company.  The saké category continues to climb in the United States, with over 100% growth in the last eight years1, as consumers learn more about this increasingly trendy and versatile beverage. Kasumi Tsuru, a small artisan saké brewer in the Hyogo Prefecture founded in 1725, has earned the reputation for brewing some of Japan’s finest examples of Kimoto style saké. The Kimoto method, a traditional technique developed in the early 17thcentury, involves a labor-intensive way of making the yeast starter, called Moto. This produces a saké that is deep and layered, with a unique sense of lightness and refinement. Kasumi Tsuru Kimoto Extra Dry Saké, available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $30 per 720 ml bottle, compliments a wide range of light to medium-bodied foods such as poultry, seafood, sashimi and salads, and can be enjoyed cold, warm or hot. The saké is also available in 300 ml and 1.8 liter bottle sizes. “We are very excited to bring Kasumi Tsuru’s Kimoto style saké to America,” states SakéOne President, Steve Vuylsteke. “The richness and complexity of this traditional and unique saké style is a great match for the diverse types of cuisine found in the United States. The addition of Kasumi Tsuru to our broad portfolio is further evidence of our commitment to being the number one choice for premium saké and saké education.” For more information, please visit www.sakeone.com. About SakéOne SakéOne was founded in 1992 as a joint partnership with Momokawa Brewing Japan originally as an importer, later to be the original American operated Kura (brewery).  SakéOne is the leading producer of “Ginjo” (premium) grade sake in the United States and today produces premium sakés under the Momokawa and G labels as well as innovative new products, such as the fruit-flavor infused saké under the Moonstone brand, in addition to its imported brands. Most recently, SakéOne released SakéMoto, a smooth and slightly dry sake with rice from the Yamaguchi prefecture, in addition to their newest American produced genshu saké, g fifty. SakéOne distributes its saké in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean.  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 sakeone.com. For media information and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463. -# # #-   1SakéOne- research compiled from Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates Saké Reports in October 2012

SAN FRANCISCO — A truly international competition wrapped up on June 16th at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, where another record number of wines were evaluated at San Francisco’s Hotel Nikko judged by some of the best palates in the country. Fifty two judges from the arenas of retail, restaurants, winemaking, media, and consulting from New Zealand to Las Vegas judged 4539 wines from 1400 wineries, 30 countries, and 29 states with wines from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Nevada entering this year for the first time. Best of the Nation awards went to 22 countries including several countries emerging into the US market: Brazil, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Serbia and China among many others, proving the true international nature of this event. The Portfolio of the Year went to Remy CointreauUSA New York, New York. The Tasting Panel Magazine Winery of the Year went to J.Lohr of San Jose, California and the André Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year went to Brooks Painter of V. Sattui in St. Helena, California. The medal count for 2013 included 178 Double Gold awards, a distinction given when a wine unanimously wins gold medals by all the judges evaluating it, 326 Gold medals, 1427 Silver medals and 1646 Bronze medals. A complete listing of winners will be posted in early July at www.sfwinecomp.com.  J.Lohr, a pioneer in California’s Central Coast was instrumental in bringing an awareness globally of this now acclaimed region. A winery with over 900 acres of estate vineyards in Monterey County today, Lohr’s innovative research and commitment to quality earned them the Tasting Panel Winery of the Year accolade this year. Brooks Painter of V.Sattui, who earned the André Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year award, has been the Director of Winemaking at V. Sattui since 2005, responsible for a portfolio of 60 different wines for the 230 acres of estate vineyards as well as grower contracts for the winery. Called the “winemaker’s winemaker” due to his extensive expertise and prominence in the field, his resume boasts positions as winemaking at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Robert Mondavi and Leeward wineries.   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’s thrilling to see the international aspect of this competition grow and thrive every year, to have 30 countries participate is unprecedented, showing the great excitement around the enjoyment of wine globally. Naturally we are excited about the quality and caliber of the U.S. entries every year and we see the bar of quality across the boards continue to rise.” Tim McNally, host of The Wine Show WIST in New Orleans, a respected competition judge, states of the competition, “The quality of the wine entered at SFIWC is of the highest standards, with a beautiful setting at the Nikko and an amazing staff. I love coming here!” Mike Dunne, contributor to the Sacramento Bee and judging director of the California State Fair Wine Competition shares, “Quality is the common demoninator towards earning a medal despite diverse tastes on the judging panels. It is that consensus of trained palates that makes wine competitions such as SFIWC so powerful for the consumer, we’ve done all the heavy lifting and you can be confident in a wine you buy due to our collective effort.”   “Best of Nation” awards were presented to 23 wineries including: Antucura of Argentina, Wakefield of Australia, Casa Valduga of Brazil, Castra Rubra of Bulgaria, Inniskillin of Canada, Santa Carolina of Chile, Luvik Maderic of the Czech Republic, Enjingi of Croatia, Zacharias of Greece, Champagne COLLET of France, Mirafiore of Italy, Okunomatsu of Japan, Santo Tomas of Mexico, Quinta do Tedo of Portugal, Mazuran’s Vineyards of New Zealand, Waka Waka of South Africa, Gyeongju Beobju Co. of South Korea, Martin Codax of Spain, Black Tower of Germany, Domaine Wardy of Lebanon, Vinakoper of Slovenia, Vinarija Zvonko Bogdan of Serbia and Domaine Helan Mountain of China.   The 2013 San Francisco International Wine Competition sponsors included The Tasting Panel Magazine, Elements Design Group of San Francisco, Intaglio Productions of San Francisco, Cabot Creamery Cooperative of Berwick, Maine and the Hotel Nikko.    For a complete list of winners and judges, visit the San Francisco International Wine Competition's website: www.sfwinecomp.com. Photos can be viewed online at smugmug.com.   For interviews and additional media needs, please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415-701-9463.   # # #

Napa Valley, CA – Parallel Napa Valley, which joined forces with Lail Vineyards and Vineyard 29 for a live auction lot at Auction Napa Valley 2013, secured a solid winning bid of $100,000 helping towards the $16 million fundraising effort that broke all records this year.  The winning bid went to Carl Thoma, formerly of Thoma Cressey Equity Partners based in Chicago and the lot included a collection of four Limited Edition Double Magnums from the three wineries and a package to experience the 2014 Winter Olympic Games being held in Sochi, Russia, from the luxurious St. Regis Deer Valley in the hometown of Parallel partners, Park City, Utah. The auction lot was displayed at the renowned Barrel Auction held at Raymond Vineyards. Appropriate for the heat, red, white and blue snow cones were served by a former US Olympic skier, Jenny Lathrop and her twin sister, Abbi. The head butler of all the Americas for the St. Regis Luxury Collection of hotels, Alexander Mattinson, was also on site; well qualified for his position, he had once worked at Buckingham Palace. The complete lot featured a double magnum of the Limited Edition Meritage Gold Wine, a blend of the best from Lail Vineyards, Parallel Napa Valley and Vineyard 29 and one of only six ever produced by renowned winemaker, Philippe Melka. Additionally, the lot included 3 vintners dinners, a spa package at the St. Regis, 4 VIP “Gold Passes” from the U.S. Ski Team, 4 pairs of custom skis and U.S. Ski Team logo wear. Following upon a tradition since the brand’s inception with Parallel supporting high level ski events, including the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team over the years, this will be one of many Parallel Olympic-related activities. The brand will also be donating wine to help fundraise for the first ever Olympic U.S. Women’s Ski Jump Team, who will be competing in 2014. The 33rd annual fundraiser hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners raised a record-breaking $16.9 million during the weekend of June 1st, 2013. The fundraising proceeds of the auction go towards healthcare and youth education nonprofits in Napa County. Continuing Parallel Napa Valley’s ongoing philanthropic efforts, the winery is proud to be a part of such an incredible and beneficiary event that gives back to the local Napa community. About Parallel Napa Valley Parallel Napa Valley is an artisan winery that produces top quality Napa Valley designated Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines, created by Philippe Melka, praised as one of the world’s most influential wine consultants by Robert Parker in 2008. The winery was established formally as a partnership in 1999 by six close friends who felt the concept of their dream represented their parallel lives in Deer Valley, where they are originally from, and Napa Valley, their second home. In addition to making a great wine, the partners of Parallel Napa Valley are dedicated philanthropists and have made it a priority to extend their wine and its success to support their communities and various charities. For media inquiries, images and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at 415.701.9463 or press@charlescomm.com.     # # #