Forest Grove, OR – SakéOne, America’s premium saké company, is proud to announce the launch of SakéMoto, a pure, premium saké imported from Japan, adding to the well-curated domestic and imported portfolio of the company. SakéMoto is a light, smooth, balanced and slightly dry style of saké accented by whispers of sweetness and a charming floral freshness. Brewed with rice from the Yamaguchi prefecture in Japan and created with mountain-sourced water from the Nada region, SakéMoto fits an important niche in the marketplace from a price and quality perspective.  Adding to the premium Oregon craft brewed saké line of Momokawa and G labels as well as the naturally fruit flavored infused line of Moonstone sakés, SakéMoto makes a perfect imported compliment to the SakéOne portfolio, joining the longstanding brands of the Murai family and Yoshinogawa. SakéOne President Steve Vuylsteke believes they have hit the proverbial bulls-eye with this newest addition.  Says Vuylsteke, “The Japanese have always preferred a finer, more subtle saké than Americans – they appreciate their saké drier, lighter in texture, with a focused, clean mouth feel.  From what we’ve observed, American stylistic preference has been moving in that direction, but currently leans towards a bigger, richer, taste expression.  SakéMoto is the result of over two years in development  working with a Japanese brew master to craft the perfect Japanese style saké for the American marketplace.” SakéMoto reflects a sense of tradition and innovation, as the brewer has 41 years of saké brewing experience and the brewery has been crafting saké since 1743. SakéMoto shows beautifully on its own, chilled and served in an all purpose white wine glass. It also pairs nicely with foods high in umami (i.e. “savory”) sensations, such as dried mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, aged beef, tomatoes, among many other options. Its package combines an homage to Japanese tradition with a clean post- modern American design, and is a nod to the two cultures which came together to craft SakéMoto. SakéMoto is a Junmai saké – meaning, it is made purely from rice, water, yeast and koji (the natural mold that converts rice starches into sugars), and given that it is junmai grade, the rice is polished to 70%. SakéMoto is distributed nationally at a suggested retail price of $11. For more information, please visit 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.  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 http://sakeone.com/. For media information and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463. -###-

Graton, CA – Avalon Winery is pleased to announce the winners of its first annual America’s Great Foods Recipe Challenge. Consumers were encouraged to participate nationwide and the winner, Donna Beck of Washington State paired Avalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with her Maple Cheddar Burger with Spicy Apple Bacon Compote to take home the $10,000 Grand Prize. Beck, who was inspired by her teenage son and daughter to create the winning recipe, said, “I love the flavors of fall. This burger combines all of the yummy goodness of my native state, tangy Washington apples, smoky bacon, honey, maple and spice. What could be better?” Of the winning dish, Avalon’s noted winemaker Alex Cose stated, “The bacon flavors in the burger with the cherry nuances of the wine combined to make a great pairing.” Danielle D’Ambrosio of Forest Hills, New York won the TEC® Infrared Grill with her Avalon California Cabernet Balsamic Cherry Filets inspired by the wine. Third place went to Laura Davis of Pocomoke City, Maryland with her daring delectable pairing of Avalon Napa Valley Cabernet with Striped Bass with Chorizo Salsa. The three finalists were flown to Charleston, SC, to compete at the BB&T Bank Charleston Wine + Food Festival®.  Attendees to the festival voted to decide the winner. All three contestants prepared their recipes in front of a live audience in the Avalon Outdoor Living + Grilling area.  Avalon Chef and Iron Chef and Top Chef candidate Kelly Liken mentored and assisted the finalists throughout the weekend and specifically with the preparation and presentation of their recipes. Participants were invited to enter the competition by submitting a recipe involving a “Great Food” element specific to their personal heritage or geographic region that would pair well with Avalon wines. Entries were submitted from around the country with inspirational foods as varied as Great Northern Beans from Nebraska, mushrooms from Pennsylvania, Colorado lamb, New Jersey tomatoes, Virginia ham, and Chesapeake Bay Oysters. About Avalon Winery Avalon Winery, located in the town of Graton in Sonoma County, California, produces top selling wines recognized for outstanding quality and food friendly style. Avalon specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon including a Napa Valley bottling and the winery’s flagship California Cabernet Sauvignon. The California blend includes grapes from premier vineyards in Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Lake County and Monterey. The wines are produced under the Purple Wine Company umbrella of brands that includes:  Four Vines, BEX, Cryptic, Lucky Star and kumbaya. About Kelly Liken Liken, a Pennsylvania native, is owner and executive chef at Restaurant Kelly Liken in Vail, Colorado.  She has made numerous national television appearances including NBC’s Today Show and has been a contestant on Food Network’s Iron Chef America and Season 7 of Bravo’s Top Chef. For media inquiries and photography needs, please contact Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or415-701-9463. # # #

Napa Valley, CA - Hourglass Vineyards received the fourth highest Napa Valley Premiere Lot bid based on price/bottle ratio during Premiere Napa Valley’s (PNV) 17th annual auction, with a price tag of $35,000. In a separate event leading up to PNV, Hourglass proprietor Jeff Smith, hosted a panel discussion for key trade and press on the history and formation of the American Viticulture Area (AVA) system and how it has been applied in Napa Valley.  The panel explored the core rationale of the Napa Valley Vintners in the genesis of the AVA system, the differences to its “old world” appellation counterparts, the creation of the Napa sub AVAs, local politics, culture and terroir characteristics. Featured panelists, a who’s who of Napa winemaking, included: Jeff Smith of Hourglass, Tim Mondavi of Continuum Estate, Aaron Pott of Pott Wine, David Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars, Beth Novak Millken of Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery, Benoit Touquette of Realm Cellars and moderator Jeff Morgan of Covenant Wines, shared their personal experiences and perspec tives on the AVA system and its winemaking challenges in what is widely acknowledged as one of the most complex and compelling winegrowing regions in the world. “Napa is a truly special place, made even more so by the amazing people who live and work here. It was an honor hosting such an influential panel and being able to share their discoveries with dedicated wine enthusiasts,” stated Jeff Smith. The symposium can be viewed in its entirety on Charles Communications Associates’ BrandLive channel here: http://cca.yourbrandlive.com/c/hourglassnapaava/. About Hourglass Hourglass is a Napa Valley estate based, terroir driven series of Estate wines, comprised of two dramatic vineyards – Hourglass Estate and the Blueline Estate.  Focusing on modern interpretations of classic Bordeaux varietals, proprietors Jeff and Carolyn Smith, along with their partners and talented winemaking team, seek to integrate the nuanced relationship between Mother Nature and the art and science of winemaking.  As Jeff states, “the pursuit of a delicate balance of elegance, power and structure is at the core of everything we do.”  The creative modern design of the new winery (now open to the public by appointment only), crafted by Bay Area architect Olle Lundberg, is a reflection of these winemaking principles.  Modern restraint, finesse and a sense of the dramatic permeate all aspects of Hourglass.  Consistently recognized as one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietal producers in America, the Hourglass wines reflect a true sense of place and time. For more information, go to www.hourglasswines.com. For media inquiries, interviews, images, please contact Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. # # #

Country’s Oldest Continuously Operated, Family Owned Winery Reviews Nearly a Century and a Half of Milestones LIVERMORE, Calif., February 5, 2013 – 2013 marks the 130th anniversary for the country’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery, Wente Vineyards. The Wente family has played an integral role in the development of wine culture in America since the 19th century.  Today, the company maintains its leadership role in California winegrowing under the ownership and management by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. “With such a longstanding history, we are happy to mark this milestone for both our family and our company,” states Carolyn Wente, CEO. “We are proud of our heritage and excited about the many new and innovative projects on the horizon.   Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations.  Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, the winery provides tastings, fine dining and championship golf, while serving as a venue for some of the finest outdoor concerts in California.  In 2011, Wente Family Estates received the American Winery of the Year award from Wine Enthusiast magazine for its leadership role in the wine market, as well as its historical relevance to winemaking and production in the United States.   The company was founded in 1883 when German immigrant Carl H. Wente purchased 48 acres of vineyard land in the Livermore Valley.  Blending traditional and innovative winemaking practices, today’s winery draws from 3,000 acres of sustainably farmed estate vineyards, located in Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco appellations.  Most notable within the historical Wente family history is the Chardonnay clone that was brought to California in 1912 from a vine nursery at Montpellier University in France.  Planted in, what is now a heritage vineyard, along with cuttings from the historical Gier Vineyard in Pleasanton, CA, the Wente clone today comprises a majority of all Chardonnay plantings in California.   Wente Vineyards now operates under the direction of CEO and Fourth Generation Winegrower Carolyn Wente, along with Chairman of the Board and Fourth Generation Winegrower Eric Wente and Fourth Generation Winegrower Philip Wente.  Fifth generation Karl D. Wente serves as SVP of Winemaking Operations and is lead Winemaker. He has brought innovation and modern style to the brand, particularly with the creation of The Nth Degree line of wines.  Karl’s sister, Christine Wente, Fifth Generation Winegrower serves as winery spokesperson and President of the Wente Family Foundation For Arts Education.   Wente Vineyards continues to be known as one of America’s leading premium wine exporters.  The company plays a pivotal role in positioning California wines in the global marketplace, selling about 20% of its branded production in more than 70 countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Germany, and the Caribbean.  More than 300,000 estate grown cases are distributed on a national basis.   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.   About the Restaurant at Wente Vineyards The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards is an accurate reflection of the entire Wente Vineyards experience: estate grown, family owned, sustainable.  When guests visit The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, it is almost as if they have been invited into the Wente family dining room. Featuring ingredient-driven California Wine Country cuisine, recently appointed Executive Chef Matt Greco offers seasonal dishes sourced from the Vineyard’s magnificent herb and vegetable garden.  With a wine list of 400 West Coast wines, The Restaurant provides guests with numerous wine pairing options for each dish.  The Restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with brunch service on Sunday.  For reservations, call (925) 456-2450 or visit www.wentevineyards.com.  The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards is located at 5050 Arroyo Road in Livermore Valley, CA. About the Concerts at Wente Vineyards Fine wine and food, complemented by gracious, personal service, are the hallmarks of the Wente Vineyards concert experience.  Concerts are held at the beautiful Wente Vineyards Restaurant and Event Center, located at 5050 Arroyo Road, in a picturesque valley a few miles south of Livermore.  Seating is in a terraced amphitheater surrounded by gardens, hillsides and tile-roofed winery buildings recreated in the style of old California.  Patrons can choose either a four-course dinner in the award-winning The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, followed by reserved, stage-front seating, or a buffet-style dinner at tables of ten on the lawn.  The intimate nature and the limited number of tickets sold guarantee that every seat offers guests an exclusive, outstanding entertainment experience.    About The Course at Wente Vineyards The Course at Wente Vineyards opened in July 1998.  Designed by golfing great Greg Norman, the 18-hole course is tucked away in the scenic, rural Livermore Valley, 50 minutes east of San Francisco.  With three distinct topographies – native woodlands, mature vineyards and rolling hills of natural grass lands – The Course at Wente Vineyards offers extraordinary visual panoramas and a diversity of play unmatched in the Bay Area.  Additionally, in early 2010 and then again in 2011, the Course received the prestigious Audubon Certification in recognition of maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas throughout the course. For tee times, call (925) 456-2425 or visit www.wentegolf.com.   For more information, interviews and imagery, please contact Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463, or Kimberly Charles at press@charlescomm.com.      # # #

WHO: Presented by LoCA – The Wines of Lodi, California. Over 50 boutique Lodi wineries specializing in quality, handcrafted wines. WHAT: This year marks the sixteenth occasion of one of Northern California’s favorite Valentine’s Weekend celebrations: Lodi’s 16th 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 paired with decadent chocolate treats by Brix Chocolate. Advance tickets cost $45 per person and $55 per person the day of the event.  Tickets include a commemorative wine glass, a chocolate gift, wine tasting and admission to all participating wineries. Attendees will have the opportunity to indulge in activities such as wine and chocolate pairings, live music, barrel tasting and cellar tours. Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday and there is no charge for designated drivers.   WHEN: Festivities are scheduled for Saturday, February 9th and Sunday, February 10th, 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 and is home to more than 80 boutique wineries. 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 60 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. 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, visit www.lodiwine.com. CONTACT: For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of 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.  # # #

Lodi Rules™ Raises the Bar   Lodi, CA – The Lodi Winegrape Commission is proud to announce Lodi Rules™ for Sustainable Winegrowing received its accreditation by Protected Harvest last week, thus raising the bar on vineyard certification. The original standards, approved in 2005, were California’s first appellation-wide sustainable winegrowing standards, which have now become a global benchmark for vineyard certification.   The revised guidelines culminate two years of work by Lodi wine growers to improve upon the original certification standards. The revision includes 22 new measures that address issues such as energy management, employee incentives and benefits, soil conservation, water quality and disease management, among many others.  There are now 101 farming practice standards in six chapters: Business Management, Human Resources, Ecosystem Management, Soil Management, Water Management, and Pest Management.   All standards have been peer-reviewed by scientists, members of the academic community and environmental organizations before accreditation by Protected Harvest. Vineyards must pass a third-party audit to verify vineyard practices prior to certification.   “We are very proud of the rigor and quality these standards represent,” noted local grower and committee chairman, Stanton Lange. “They reflect Lodi’s generational commitment to responsible farming and give wine lovers the opportunity to support our efforts by enjoying a glass of Lodi Rules™ certified sustainable wine.”   In 2005, Protected Harvest certified six farming families and 1,455 acres in the Lodi Appellation.  Over the past seven years, the program has grown to over 85 farming operations, and 20,000 acres of Lodi vineyards have been certified. There are an additional 6,000 acres certified from Sonoma to Soledad. Over twenty wineries now produce wines that bear the Lodi Rules™ seal on the label.   “The Lodi Winegrape Commission continues to demonstrate leadership in sustainable winegrape growing by reevaluating farming standards for the Lodi Rules™ for Sustainable Winegrowing,” stated Dr. William Horwath, President of the Protected Harvest Board.  “The Board sent the standards out for scientific peer review, as well as reviewed them internally. They were very impressed with the rigor of the revisions by the Commission, the subsequent changes they made based on the reviews by the Board and scientists and their desire to keep the Lodi Rules™ up to date and relevant to the challenges that face this specific farming industry today. The Protected Harvest Board approved the standards revisions at their January 16 meeting.”   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, 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.    For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com. Protected Harvest Protected Harvest is an independent nonprofit organization governed by Sustainability Council of leading environmental NGOs, scientists and practitioners that approve sustainability standards. Protected Harvest has received the Consumer Union’s highest rating for a meaningful eco-label.  For more information about the Protected Harvest, visit www.protectedharvest.org. For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional Lodi Rules™ information, please contact Camron King of the Lodi Winegrape Commission at 916|239-8732 or camron@lodiwine.com.   # # #

Lodi, CA – This year marks the sixteenth occasion of one of Northern California’s favorite Valentine’s Weekend celebrations: Lodi Wines' annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend. Festivities are scheduled for Saturday, February 9th and Sunday, February 10th, from 11am to 4pm each day. Bring someone special to Lodi Wine Country and fall in love with the diversity of handcrafted wines from the Lodi winegrowing region paired with decadent chocolate treats by Brix Chocolate.   High-end confectioner, Brix Chocolate (www.brixchocolate.com), is the official chocolate sponsor of this year’s celebration, generously donating the commemorative chocolate treats that event attendees will be receiving. Brix Chocolate has the distinguished privilege of serving as the first chocolate sponsor of Lodi’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend in 16 years.  Brix is the first line of chocolates that are specifically blended to compliment wine, based on the varietal. The primary ingredient of each Brix Chocolate 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 the nuances found in great wines, without confounding the palate.   In addition to exceptional wines and chocolate, event attendees to the Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend will have the opportunity to visit over 45 participating wineries over the course of two days and engage in various activities such as wine and chocolate pairings, barrel tastings, live music and winery tours. Over 100 prizes will be awarded to lucky wine and chocolate lovers, including a Lodi Wine Country Getaway and the “Golden Ticket”, which will be hidden in a commemorative chocolate bag.   “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 and Visitors Center at 209.365.0621.  Advance tickets cost $45 per person and $55 per person during the event.  Tickets include a commemorative wine glass, a chocolate gift, wine tasting and admission to all participating wineries. Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday and there is no charge for 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 60 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, 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. For additional event information, please contact Jenny Heitman of the Lodi Winegrape Commission at 209|367-0737 or jenny@lodiwine.com.   # # #

Iconic Restaurant to Close After Almost 6 years The Mission district’s beloved Bar Bambino restaurant will have its final service on New Year’s Eve 2012.  After a successful almost 6 year run garnering regional, national and international acclaim for its visionary cuisine accenting Northeastern Italy, the restaurant will close its doors. Known for its original design, its early beachhead in the now established Mission neighborhood restaurant community as well as for its reputation for quality of food and service, Bar Bambino had become a beloved institution among food and wine lovers. Of the closing, proprietor Christopher Losa stated, “Like many entrepreneurial endeavors, there are risks taken and particularly in the restaurant business in major urban areas, owners operate on thin margins which make it challenging to flourish. We loved the daily experience of receiving notes of thanks, handshakes from happy parting diners, kisses on the cheek from our many loyal fans and clients. We will miss that dearly.” A perennial entrepreneur, Losa will focus on several projects going forward that tap into his passion for all things food & beverage, all the while bringing style and innovation to his offerings. The restaurant will be taking reservations for New Year’s Eve dinner seatings from now till booked fully by contacting 415|701-VINO(8466) or http://www.seatme.com/bar-bambino/. Much like the Italian New Year’s Eve tradition of throwing out old pottery to break with the past and start anew, 2013 brings new starts and opportunities for the Bar Bambino family.  In closing, Losa stated, “I wish to thank my team, my clientele and my family for all of their support over the years, the Bambino has grown up and is ready to leave home.” For media inquiries, please contact Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415-701-9463. #   #   #

San Francisco, CA – San Francisco Wine School has added two more instructors, Rebecca Chapa and DLynn Proctor, bolstering its faculty as it diversifies its curriculum and opens enrollment for its winter California Wine Appellation Specialist™ (CWAS™) and French Wine Scholar (FWS) wine programs. Rebecca Chapa is a Certified Wine Educator, Certified Sommelier and holds the Diploma Wine and Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust in London.  Chapa is Chairman of the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition and Beverage Manager for SF Chefs. She has taught wine classes for consumers with her own company, Wine by the Class, since 2001 and also serves as the West Coast Ambassador for Wines of Chile. Finally, she teaches WSET classes and classes for W.I.S.E. as well. DLynn Proctor has spent years in fine dining, opening and consulting in several restaurants, and managed the wine cellars and education programs of The Halstin Group, Sambuca Restaurant Group, Wells’ Hospitality Group, Thirteen 26 Ventures, and Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Restaurants. He has worked alongside many of the world’s greatest chefs, such as Michael Mina, Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Masaharu Morimoto and Charlie Palmer. Proctor received his Advanced Sommelier Diploma in 2008 and has passed both the Theory and Service portions of the Master Sommelier exam. “San Francisco Wine School is excited about bringing Rebecca Chapa and DLynn Proctor aboard,” says Founder and Chief Education Officer, David Glancy. “Rebecca and DLynn’s diverse, broad-ranging backgrounds and credentials will further round out our faculty and improve our ability to offer a broad range of wine certification programs.” Students enrolling in the winter California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS) and French Wine Scholar (FWS) courses before Christmas Day will receive a 15% discount on tuition. Classes begin on January 7 (FWS) and January 16 (CWAS). Classes and exams are currently being offered at the Oyster Point Embassy Suites in South San Francisco where this is ample parking and easy access to Highway 101. David Glancy, MS, CWE, CSS, FWS One of 112 professionals in North America and 180 worldwide who have earned the title of Master Sommelier, Glancy has held the MS degree since 2004.  Over the last 5 years he guided roughly 400 students through success on the Certified Sommelier (CS) credential. For more information, please visit www.sfwineschool.com, look for San Francisco Wine School on FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter or contact David Glancy, MS, CWE, CSS, FWS at dglancy@sfwineschool.com or 415|505-9382.

San Francisco/New York — Two of the wine industry’s most respected marketing communications firms, Charles Communications Associates headquartered in San Francisco and Cornerstone Communications Ltd. in New York City, have announced a strategic alliance. With a mission to provide excellent client service, greater coverage and expert coordination between the respective agencies, this alliance will provide existing and future clients with more reach on both coasts. As San Francisco is the anchor for the majority of the California wine market and New York the hub for leading wine importers, aligning the two cities reflects the totality of U.S. wine sales (66.6% domestic wine and 33.4% imported wine.*) Appropriate given that in 2011 the U.S. wine market became the second largest in the world at a value of $44 billion (347 million bottles sold), wine associations, wineries and growers have an ever growing need for the tools and resources both agencies offer to deliver exceptional results. Bringing strategic marketing communications, social media & marketing savvy, creative events management, and branding expertise to the world of wine, spirits and gourmet food products, the two agencies have a track record of building and nurturing some of the leading brands in the U.S. wine market. These include, among others, Wente Family Estates, Boisset Family Estates, Purple Wine Company, Alto Adige Wines, Rías Baixas Albariño, and Winebow Imports. With the objective to further client satisfaction and retention, as well as offer a more in-depth expertise within their respective suite of services, the alliance now offers clients greater reach and access across the country and a proven history. In 2013, Cornerstone Communications will commemorate its 23rd anniversary and Charles Communications Associates will celebrate its 10th. Marsha Palanci, Cornerstone Founder and CEO commented, “With Cornerstone’s focus on international wineries and brands, the powerful strategic momentum created by allying our agency with Charles Communications and their California-focused portfolio was a natural fit.  We are pleased that this bicoastal alliance will offer our clients even greater capabilities and reach to manage today’s increasingly complex marketing environment.” Kimberly Charles, Founder of Charles Communications Associates said of the alliance, “I’ve had great respect for Marsha and her company over the past 20 years. We collaborated historically on marketing programs and given our keen interest and expertise in both domestic and imported wines, we are pleased to be able to offer our clients a strong on-the-ground team in the media capital of the world.” For more information on the two agencies, visit cornerstonepr.com and charlescomm.com or view their Twitter accounts at @marshapalanci and @charlescomm. *Source: Gomberg & Fredrikson Annual Wine Industry Review Media Contacts Kimberly Charles                                                   kcharles@charlescomm.com T: 415-730-0064 Marsha Palanci mpalanci@cornerstonepr.com T: 212-605-0370

This year’s major wine competitions have been more than kind to wines from the Lodi region of Northern California, proving that Lodi wines compete with the best wines of the world and have been delivering outstanding results. Lodi’s abundant old vine Zinfandel vineyards make some of the region’s finest wines and, not surprisingly, many Lodi Zinfandels earned high marks from competition judges. Macchia- a single stand-out Zinfandel producer – was awarded six gold medals for six different 2010 Zinfandels across four separate wine competitions, including the San Francisco Chronicle and California State Fair competitions. Additionally, Oak Ridge Winery’s 2007 Moss Roxx Vineyard Zinfandel took a double gold medal at the California State Fair while Gnarly Head’s 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel  won a gold medal and best of class at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition and Consumer Wine Awards along with gold medals in five other competitions, from the Sunset Wine Competition to the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Although Lodi is best known for growing Zinfandel, the region also excels in other varietals. The 2010 Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon won four gold medals throughout the year, including one from the San Francisco International Wine Competition. Cycles Gladiator’s 2009 and 2010 vintage Syrahs also earned a total of five gold medals and 3 silver medals from various competitions. An impressive number of other Lodi varietals took home multiple awards in 2012 wine competitions such as Spanish varietal specialist Bokisch Vineyards, who earned three gold medals for its 2009 Tempranillo. Some other accolades from Lodi include Harmony Wynelands’ 2010 Riverview Riesling, which was awarded Platinum at the Consumer Wine Awards. Michael David Winery’s 2010 Petite Petit was awarded Double Gold and Best of State at the California State Fair, and Toasted Toad Cellars 2010 Viognier was Best of Class and a Gold Medalist at the International Women’s Wine Competition. “Lodi is renowned for Zinfandel and many recognize Lodi for producing exceptionally flavorful wines at approachable prices, but we are also one of the most diverse regions in the world in terms of the number of varieties grown,” explains Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “Lodi’s Mediterranean climate is well-suited to growing a broad array of grapes, from Rhone and Iberian reds to aromatic whites.” 2012 proved to showcase Lodi as a versatile and first-rate winegrowing region, receiving 177 gold medals out of a total of 313 awards. 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 60 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. 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 orpress@charlescomm.com.

Healdsburg, CA, December 5, 2012 – The McWilliams family, owners of Arista Winery on Westside Road in the Russian River appellation, are pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Courtney as winemaker, starting officially January 1st.  Most recently of Marcassin Wine Company where he had an eight-year tenure, Courtney brings to Arista Winery a philosophy and approach towards winemaking and winegrowing that is in perfect alignment with the vision the family has held since the inception which is to craft elegant, age-worthy wines at the highest level of quality. After a successful launch of Arista in 2004 working closely with former consulting winemaker Leslie Sisneros, the McWilliams family felt the next logical step in the evolution of their property and goals was to appoint a full-time winemaker. Courtney fit the bill with his deep experience crafting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines for the highly sought after wines of Marcassin. Arista’s vineyard holdings include their 36-acre estate, located on prime benchland on Westside Road, with four distinct vineyards, which have been planted to heritage and Dijon clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In addition, in 2012 they acquired the historic Martinelli Road vineyard in the Russian River AVA, which is planted to 130 old Zinfandel, 20+ year Pinot Noir and 30+ year Chardonnay.  When queried about his new endeavor, Courtney stated, “The opportunity to work with heritage vineyards in two locations in the Russian River, a wonderful warm and hard working family such as the McWilliams and in the future, to build a first class winery onsite, was the ideal next evolution in my career.” The winery also works with a phenomenal group of non-estate vineyards including Bucher, Ferrington, Bacigalupi, Toboni, Mononi and Ritchie, working closely with their long time vineyard manager, Ulises Valdez. The son of a naval aviator, Courtney moved to the Bay Area when he was 10 years old and studied philosophy at the University of California Berkeley, where he met his wife on the ski team. A move to Jackson Hole for the serious skiing couple proved to be a pivotal time in Courtney’s appreciation of fine wine as he worked in restaurants and deepened his education and understanding of Burgundian wines, travelling extensively in France and meeting its leading producers. Upon completing his degree in viticulture and enology at UC Davis in 2004, he joined Marcassin and learned every aspect of winemaking over the next eight years. Arista’s co-owner, Mark McWilliams, stated on behalf of the family, “My family and I have held a vision for our winery to achieve the highest level of quality and site expression in our wines.  As we look to our next evolutionary step, Matt’s experience and talent dovetailed perfectly as we aim to build a winery onsite as well as deepen our knowledge of the great vineyard properties we have.”  Courtney’s appointment begins officially on January 1st as he wraps up his current duties at Marcassin. Arista Winery was founded in 2002 by Al and Janis McWilliams, who bought the 36 acre property on Westside Road, creating with their sons Mark and Ben, a winery known for crafting world class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. Their vision has always been to grow and produce the finest quality wines possible working with a team of highly skilled artisan growers, gardeners and chefs to use the estate as a place to hone and showcase their talents. For more information on the winery and its offerings please visit http://www.aristawinery.com/. For media inquiries, interviews, images please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or kcharles@charlescomm.com.

Livermore Valley, California, December 4, 2012-  Wente Family Estates is proud to announce that both Wente Vineyards and entwine, a wine portfolio co-created by Wente Vineyards and Food Network, have been named “Hot Prospects” by the trade newsletter, Impact, based on both brands’ accelerated sales growth in recent years.  This was a first time ranking for both brands. Impact, which is published by M. Shanken Communications, assigns specific criteria for up-and-coming brands to achieve the designation of “Hot Prospect.” A brand must have demonstrated sales between 50,000 cases and 250,000 cases in 2011, either as a new product, or as an existing brand that advanced by at least 15% over the previous year and also posted sales growth in 2009 and 2010. Wente Vineyards’ portfolio of wines, which include Vineyard Selection, Heritage Block, Small Lot and The Nth Degree labels, satisfy an array of price points in the marketplace from $14 to $65 retail per 750ml bottle. They ranked first on the list of Hot Prospects based on its volume base,  posted gains of 6% in depletions over the previous year for 2009, 10% growth in 2010, and an impressive 19% in 2011, showing renewed vigor under the stewardship of 4th and 5th generation owners. Wente Vineyards also partnered with Food Network to create the brand entwine, a California portfolio of food-friendly wines featuring Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon priced at $12.99 per 750ml. Introduced in the second half of 2011, entwine tallied depletions of 152,000 cases in its first five months in the market, ranking 9th on the list of Hot Prospects by volume and making it one of the two most successful wine launches of 2011. Wente Vineyards’ CEO and Fourth Generation Winegrower, Carolyn Wente, says she expects entwine to reach retail and direct sales of half a million cases within two years. “Our goal with entwine was to bring together Wente Vineyards’ extraordinary winemaking talent with Food Network’s culinary expertise and loyal audience of food and wine lovers. We brought Food Network fans a line of balanced, food-friendly wines designed to complement their culinary explorations, and they responded,” explains Wente. “entwine wines are already reaching a broader audience through our distribution network, and the future looks bright for this young brand.” “This is really such a wonderful acknowledgement and recognition for the five generations of my family who have remained committed to the wine business. We all love what we do- my two brothers Eric and Phil and my niece and nephew, Christine and Karl, are collectively building our company into a strong, relevant and quality driven winery in the 21st century.  We have built on the foundation laid by my great grandfather, Carl Wente, who came to this country as an immigrant in the late 19th century and founded Wente Vineyards in 1883,” said Wente. 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 marks 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. About Food Network FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers’ best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring and empowering through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and averages more than 9.9 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine has tripled its rate base and delivers a circulation of 1.45 million. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24 hour networks in Great Britain, India, Asia and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates Cooking Channel (www.cookingchanneltv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Great American Country (www.gactv.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com), and Travel Channel (www.travelchannel.com),  is the manager and general partner.

St. Helena, CA –Hourglass Wine Company recently announced the appointment of veteran wine executive Todd Newman to the position of Private Client Manager. In this newly created role at Hourglass, Newman will bring his longtime experience developing client relationships nationwide.  He’ll lead the enhancement of direct to consumer education and sales of the Hourglass Estate and Blueline Estate wines. Newman’s extensive experience in the wine industry, which includes having worked closely with Revana Family Vineyards to build it into a successful, boutique wine brand, has prepared him well for this position. “Our goal with the winery experience at Hourglass is to provide behind the scenes access for serious wine lovers,” says CEO and Founder Jeff Smith. “Our intent is to get the visitor into the art and science of how we craft an amazing bottle of wine, and to do it in a fun,  engaging way.  Through his passion for wine, hospitality background, and breadth of winemaking knowledge, Todd is uniquely qualified to develop that experience.” Hailing from North Dakota, Todd developed a passion for wine upon moving to Oregon in his early twenties, where he sought to take advantage of the state’s rich culinary and vinous offerings. A brief, fateful visit to Napa Valley in 2002 convinced him that he’d found his new home. Upon relocating from Oregon to Napa, Todd worked at Pat Kuleto Restaurant Development and Management Company, prior to joining the team at Revana Family Vineyards. “I started showing up at Revana and working for free, until they hired me,” stated Newman, who was promoted from cellar intern to cellar master under his mentor and consulting winemaker Heidi Barrett. Inspired to promote his wines to a broader audience, and to apply the service skills he’d developed while at Kuleto to the wine business, Newman then moved into the role of sales director at Revana. While at Revana, Newman also assisted in building out new properties and brands in Oregon and Mendoza. Despite his worldly exposure and interest, Newman, who lives in Calistoga, reserves his true passion for Napa Valley’s wines and is excited about joining the Hourglass team. “I’d always recognized Hourglass as a world class producer with amazing vineyards and a killer winemaking team,” says Newman. “Most importantly, all of us at Hourglass share the same sensibilities and passion to enlighten people about the magic of wine and the creative process of how it is made.  I’m really fortunate and excited to help bring fans of these wines closer to what we do.” About Hourglass Hourglass is a Napa Valley estate based, terroir driven series of wines, comprised of two dramatic vineyards – Hourglass Estate and the Blueline Estate.  Focusing on modern interpretations of classic Bordeaux varietals, proprietors Jeff and Carolyn Smith, along with their partners and talented winemaking team, seek to integrate the nuanced relationship between Mother Nature and the art and science of winemaking.  As Jeff states, “the pursuit of a delicate balance of elegance, power and structure is at the core of everything we do.”  The creative modern design of the new winery (now open to the public by appointment only), crafted by Bay Area architect Olle Lundberg, is a reflection of these winemaking principles.  Modern restraint, finesse and a sense of the dramatic permeate all aspects of Hourglass.  Consistently recognized as one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietal producers in America, the Hourglass wines reflect a true sense of place and time. For more information, go to www.hourglasswines.com. For media inquiries, interviews, images, please contact Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. #   #   #

Graton, CA - Sonoma Wine Company, the North Coast’s largest, full-service crush-to-bottle contract winery services provider, earned Certified California Sustainable Winery status for its Graton and American Canyon winemaking facilities on October 9, 2012. These certifications were awarded through the third-party certification process from the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. “This is a validation of the great works that the team at Sonoma Wine Company has been undertaking since we began operations in 2001, we’ve received many environmental awards at the regional and state level[1], but this is really gratifying for us given its comprehensive criteria,” stated Director of Business Development, Natasha Granoff.  The CSWA established certification programs for wineries and vineyards to recognize the advancements in sustainability of the California wine industry through the adoption of sustainable practices.  The program certifies both wineries and vineyards. The CCSW certification for the American Canyon and Graton facilities are representative of Sonoma Wine Company’s longstanding dedication to sustainable practices.  In 2010, Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair flipped the switch on the Graton facility’s new solar cogeneration system, which was at the time the first commercial-scale installation of the thermal and photovoltaic technology. In March of 2011, Sonoma Wine Company’s American Canyon winery became the first American winery to achieve ISO 22000 certification, the international standard of food safety in the ISO quality management series. “Quality management systems streamline operations, reduce costs and stimulate innovation in operational practices,” said Dennis Carroll, President of Sonoma Wine Company.  “It is about continuous improvement and best business practices, hot button topics that dovetail nicely with our sustainable business goals,” added General Manager, Ed Silva. According to the policies of the CSWA, the CCSW logo can be used in marketing materials, websites and secondary packaging but not on a wine label. Logos or claim statements made on secondary packaging attached to the wine bottle (‘neckers’ for example) can be used if the wine was both made in a certified winery facility and with at least 85% of grapes from certified vineyards. These regulations will enable Sonoma Wine Company clients making wine from CSWA certified sustainable vineyards to enhance their communications materials to indicate the sustainability of their vineyard and winery status if they so desire. For media queries, interviews and imagery please contact Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com  or 415-701-9463. About Sonoma Wine Company: Sonoma Wine Company is a full-service crush-to-bottle contract winery partnering with California wine producers to crush, ferment, barrel, bottle and warehouse wine programs of all sizes. With five modern facilities located in both Sonoma and Napa counties, the facility can accommodate any size program. 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 so that clients can spend time connecting with distributors, building a customer base, and growing brands. Sonoma Wine Company has tailored its business to match the size of almost any wine program from private label to large contract producers. Whether companies are producing 500 cases or 500,000 cases, Sonoma Wine Company can scale a company’s growth accordingly. About California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA): The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) developed a third-party certification program related to the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program (SWP) to increase the sustainability of the California wine industry by promoting the adoption of sustainable practices and ensuring continual improvement.  The goals of the certification program, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW-Certified), are to enhance transparency, encourage statewide participation and advance the entire California wine industry toward best practices in environmental stewardship, conservation of natural resources and socially equitable business practices. The CSWA currently offers the following certification programs: • Certified California Sustainable Vineyard • Certified California Sustainable Winery • Certified California Sustainable Vineyard & Winery • Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing #   #  #   [1] http://www.sonomawineco.com/sustainability.htm