Charles Communication Associates' Latest News
WENTE FAMILY ESTATES ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS OF WINEMAKING TEAM
11 February, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kimberly Noelle Charles
Charles Communications Associates
415.730.0064 | press@charlescomm.com
WENTE FAMILY ESTATES ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS OF WINEMAKING TEAM
Elizabeth Kester Appointed Head of Winemaking and Andy Lynch promoted to Head of Quality
February 11, 2021, LIVERMORE VALLEY, CA – Wente Vineyards Estate is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Elizabeth Kester to Head of Winemaking and Andy Lynch to Head of Quality. With a combined twenty-five years with Wente Family Estates, both Kester and Lynch are well-suited to take the organization to the next level in their new positions.
In the Head of Winemaking role, Kestler, currently overseeing all wine production activity, will extend her responsibilities to include more strategic alignment between viticulture, marketing and sales. In her new position she will bolster the already impressive Wente Family Estates collection of brands and guide the winemaking team into an exciting future.
Working with Wente Family Estates since 2010, Elizabeth’s many contributions have had a tremendous impact on the development of the core portfolio. Her efforts have resulted in over forty 90+ scores, the development of Wente’s phenolics program - which utilizes cutting edge technology and processes which promote innovation and excellence, and several new brands including Ravel & Stitch and Angels Ink. In speaking about her new promotion, Kester says, "I feel incredibly fortunate to work so closely with the Wente family and their remarkable estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco AVAs. I look forward to taking on a new challenge and leadership role."
As Head of Quality, Lynch will ensure all systems and resources address all aspects of quality, from the supply chain to the winemaking process, to the end consumer. Lynch will lead and drive continuous improvement with structured problem solving, lean methodologies, and industry best practices. Lynch will continue as winemaker for some of Wente Family Estate's brands and wines.
Lynch joined Wente Family Estates in 2005 working in the lab and was promoted to Enologist and Winemaker in 2014. Since then, he has led the small-lot wine production for Wente Family Estates and collaborated with winemaking leadership on ideal strategies for fermentation, aging, and blending of the organization’s entire portfolio. "I am passionate about creating efficiencies and improving our craft year after year. I’m really excited about this new role because it will allow me to work with the team in a different capacity to achieve the long-term goals of the business while still allowing me to make wine," said Lynch.
Kester works closely with COO and fifth-generation winegrower Karl Wente. Karl Wente guides the strategic goals and stylistic direction across Wente Vineyards and remains the lead winemaker of his family’s namesake brand. Remarking on the promotions, Wente stated, "We have a culture of promoting within our company, and we wanted to recognize the vital contributions of Elizabeth and Andy. They are grounded, centered, and incredibly talented.” Wente Family Estates is currently filling new winemaking roles. More information can be found at Linkedin.com/WenteFamilyEstates.
About Wente Family Estates
Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards has been celebrated for its industry-wide contributions to innovation as the oldest continuously operated, family-owned winery in the country, now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The company portfolio includes Wente Vineyards, Murrieta's Well, Hayes Ranch, Ravel & Stitch, entwine, Angels Ink, Unsullied, and Double Decker brands. The winery draws from certified sustainable estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines distributed in all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide. In 2010, it joined the top 5% of California wineries that meet all three tiers within the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing codes & designation. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California from France. Today, the Wente clones of Chardonnay are the most widely planted in California.
Wente Family Estates is among the top 30 wineries in the United States from the standpoint of production and distribution. The winery has a brisk domestic business and a significant share of the export wine market, where the wines have enjoyed international acclaim for decades.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California's premier wine country destinations. In 2018, the winery took a leadership role in its longstanding mission to inspire employees and guests to make time for what really matters, as realized through Wente Vineyards' best practices, outstanding wines, and wine country experiences. For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com.
For press inquiries , interviews and images, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.730.0064
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Flavor First Intuitive Line of Wine Glassware Released in US Market
5 January, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kimberly Noëlle Charles
Charles Communications Associates
415.730.0064 | press@charlescomm.com
Flavor First™ Intuitive Line of Wine Glassware Released in US Market
Designed by lauded wine expert and author Karen MacNeil in collaboration with
Anchor Hocking a division of The Oneida Group and Senior Vice President of Design, Paul Gebhardt
St. Helena, California, January 5, 2021 – For the first time ever, a line of glassware designed around the flavor of wine has been released to trade and consumers in the United States. The set of three glasses corresponds to three key flavor/styles found in wine: Crisp & Fresh™, Creamy & Silky™ and Bold & Powerful™, intuitively putting the power of glass selection in the hands of wine consumers and gatekeeper trade professionals.
Liberating and simple in premise, the Flavor First™ line of glassware was meticulously designed over three years by wine expert and lauded author Karen MacNeil in collaboration with Senior Vice President of Design & Creative Director , Paul Gebhardt of Anchor Hocking a division of The Oneida Group, the long-trusted producer of fine table and kitchenware to homes and restaurants worldwide since 1880.
Their idea was simple—design wine glasses around wine flavor, not around wine regions or wine varietals. Taking into consideration the architecture of the glass, the nature of the human palate, and the desire of consumers and food service professionals to simplify this complex subject, MacNeil and Gebhardt had an “aha” moment together at a wine training Karen conducted for The Oneida Group. Why, they asked, wasn’t there a stem that took the overthinking out of glassware? Why not focus on the fundamental pleasure and flavor of wine itself?
Trials, tastings, iterations over time and the testing of 40 different design options yielded a stunningly simple solution. MacNeil stated, “As a writer and wine teacher who’s taught thousands of people how to taste and evaluate wine, I listen carefully to how people talk about wine and the words they use. Most people are non-technical and use words such as bold reds’ or creamy Chardonnays’ to describe what they like. In other words, they use flavor words.”
Always academic and thoughtful in her approach to her endeavors, Karen looked at 35 major grape varieties and realized that the most important variable in wine flavor had to do with where the widest part of the glass was. As she states, “Oxygen has a profound effect on wine. For each of our three glasses, the widest part of the glass is at a different position.”
Gebhardt, said of the collaboration, “Karen and her team are amazing, and together we made the idea a reality. Along with flavor as a driver of form, I wanted to create a line that had as many back-of-the-house operational advantages as possible. The design needed to be easy to live with at home, as well as in a commercial operation, both of which are key audiences for our company.”
Importantly, the vessels were designed to withstand the daily use for operators and as such are dishwasher safe. While each glass is endowed with a precision bowl shape and a thin rim typically reserved for glassware three times the price, the sturdy construction and the carefully calibrated pulled stem ensure that the glasses will endure throughout service. All three stems are the same height, making a seamless presentation for a wine tasting or meal with different pairings, ease of storage and streamlined ware washing. The glasses are American designed and made in Germany from lead-free crystal.
The Flavor First™ collection has 3 distinct glasses to maximize bold & powerful, crisp & fresh and creamy & silky flavors, while reducing your glassware inventory:
Crisp & Fresh™ for Champagne, prosecco, sparkling wine, sauvignon blanc, riesling, pinot grigio plus light rosés and all wines with a fresh, bright quality
Creamy & Silky™ for chardonnay, chenin blanc, pinot gris plus richer rosé wines and pinot noir, Chianti, shiraz and all wines with a round and/or silky texture
Bold & Powerful™ for very full-bodied oaky chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, merlot, Bordeaux, zinfandel, malbec, Barolo, syrah and all wines that feature a bold texture and firm structural backbone
Petite Stem: Designed for more casual settings, a next generation version of the stemless glass but importantly, with a foot to allow for swirling and easier handling of the glass. Also great for beer, iced tea, select cocktails such as a classic Gin & Tonic or even as a water goblet
Karen MacNeil Flavor First™ is available for Foodservice customers in case packs of 24 under Anchor Hocking’s new Premium Brand called SAPORUS. Anchor Hocking’s SAPORUS products are launching nationally through all major foodservice distributors.
About Karen MacNeil
Noted writer, author, and educator Karen MacNeil is the only American to have won every major wine award given in the English language. These include the James Beard award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year, the Louis Roederer award for Best Consumer Wine Writing, and the International Wine and Spirits award as the Global Wine Communicator of the Year. In a full-page profile on her, TIME Magazine called Karen “America’s Missionary of the Vine.” In 2018, Karen was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Wine.” Karen’s firm, Karen MacNeil & Company, creates customized corporate events and wine tours around the world for companies and individual groups. Among Karen’s corporate clients are Lexus, Merrill Lynch, Disney, General Electric, UBS, and Singapore Airlines, as well as numerous law and biotech firms.
Karen is the co-creator and Chairman Emerita of the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies at the Culinary Institute of America in the Napa Valley, which has been called “the Harvard of wine education.” More information about Karen can be found at www.karenmacneil.com.
About The Oneida Group & Anchor Hocking Foodservice
Founded in 1905, Anchor Hocking is a leading designer, marketer and manufacturer of a comprehensive portfolio of quality drinkware, barware, jars, storage containers, serveware and more. With a focus on innovation and quality, the Anchor Hocking foodservice portfolio boasts products that are functional, yet beautiful. The glass is made tough to last in the foodservice industry, but also aesthetically pleasing to enhance the dining experience for guests. Anchor Hocking manufactures substantially all of its products at the company’s facilities in the United States.
Flavor First™ is the first in the line for the brand SAPORUS, The Oneida Group’s Anchor Hocking Foodservice new premium brand devoted to the appreciation of flavor. Partnering with Karen MacNeil, wine expert and author of The Wine Bible, the Flavor First™ collection is the first to be designed based on what matters most—a wine’s FLAVOR. With guests, sommeliers, and operators in mind: SAPORUS is redesigning the wine experience.
The Oneida Group is a leading global marketer of tabletop and food preparation products for the consumer and foodservice markets. With a comprehensive line of tabletop and food preparation products globally under a broad range of consumer brands. Karen MacNeil’s range of stemware falls under both the consumer facing Oneida and the trade focused Anchor Hocking SAPORUS division of foodservice. Customers range from Fortune 500 companies to medium and small-sized companies in the consumer, foodservice, business-to-business, and E-commerce channels. The company operates two glass manufacturing plants in the U.S. and sources a variety of proprietary designed tableware products. Visit http://www.anchorhockingfoodservice.com/flavor-first for more information.
For press inquiries and images, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.730.0064.
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Flavor First™ Intuitive Line of Wine Glassware Released in U.S. Market
15 December, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kimberly Noëlle Charles
Charles Communications Associates
415.730.0064 | press@charlescomm.com
Flavor First™ Intuitive Line of Wine Glassware Released in U.S. Market
Designed by lauded wine expert and author Karen MacNeil
in collaboration with The Oneida® Group Senior VP of Design, Paul Gebhardt
St. Helena, California, December 15, 2020 – For the first time ever, a line of glassware designed around the flavor of wine has been released to trade and consumers in the United States. The set of three glasses corresponds to three key flavor/styles found in wine: Crisp & Fresh™, Creamy & Silky™ and Bold & Powerful™, intuitively putting the power of glass selection in the hands of wine consumers and trade professionals.
Liberating and simple in premise, the Flavor First™ line of glassware was meticulously designed over three years by wine expert and lauded author Karen MacNeil in collaboration with Senior Vice President of Design and Creative Director, Paul Gebhardt of The Oneida® Group, producer since 1880 of fine table and kitchenware to homes and restaurants worldwide.
Their idea was simple—design wine glasses around wine flavor, not around wine regions or wine varietals. Taking into consideration the architecture of the glass, the nature of the human palate, and the desire of consumers and food service professionals to simplify this complex subject, MacNeil and Gebhardt had an “aha” moment together at a wine training Karen conducted for The Oneida® Group. Why, they asked, wasn’t there a stem that took the overthinking out of glassware? Why not focus on the fundamental pleasure and flavor of wine itself?
Trials, tastings, iterations over time, and testing of 40 different design options yielded a simple solution. MacNeil stated, “As a writer and wine teacher who’s taught thousands of people how to taste and evaluate wine, I listen carefully to how people talk about wine and the words they use. Most people are non-technical; they use ideas such as ‘bold reds’ or ‘creamy chardonnays’ to describe what they like. In other words, they use flavor words.”
Always academic and thoughtful in her approach, Karen looked at 35 major grape varieties and realized that the glass diameter at the widest part of the glass had the greatest impact on the expression of the wines. As she states, “Oxygen has a profound effect on wine. For each of our three glasses, the widest part of the glass is at a different position.”
Gebhardt, said of the collaboration, “Karen and her team are amazing, and together we made the idea a reality. Along with flavor as a driver of form, I wanted to create a line that had as many back-of-the-house operational advantages as possible. The design needed to be easy to live with at home, as well as in a commercial operation, both of which are key audiences for our company.”
Importantly, the vessels were designed for daily life at the table, and as such are dishwasher safe. While each glass is endowed with a precision bowl shape and a thin rim typically reserved for glassware three times the price, the carefully calibrated “pulled” stem and foot ensure that the glasses will endure through meals and explorations. All three stems are the same height, making a seamless presentation for a wine tasting or meal with different pairings and ease of storage. The glasses are American designed and made in Germany from lead-free crystal.
The core stems include (all sold at retail in sets of four and six):
Crisp & Fresh™ for champagne, prosecco, sparkling wine, sauvignon blanc, riesling, and pinot grigio plus light rosés and all wines with a fresh, bright quality
Creamy & Silky™ for chardonnay, chenin blanc, pinot gris plus richer rosé wines and pinot noir, chianti, shiraz and all wines with a round, silky texture
Bold & Powerful™ for very full bodied, oaky chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, Bordeaux, zinfandel, malbec, Barolo, syrah and all wines that feature a bold texture and firm structural backbone
Petite Stem: Designed for more casual gatherings, a next generation version of the stemless glass but, importantly, with a foot to allow for swirling and easier handling. It’s also great for beer, iced tea, and select cocktails such as a classic Gin & Tonic.
Available for sale in sets of four and six or as a variety set of six with two stems of each, the glasses are available at a number of retailers such as Amazon, wine.com, Macy’s, Dillard’s, TheBay.com (Canada) and are also available at Oneida.com and KarenMacNeil.com. Priced at $74.99 per set of six, the per stem price averages $12.50, extremely affordable when compared to other similar quality wine glasses on the market today.
About Karen MacNeil
Noted writer, author, and educator Karen MacNeil is the only American to have won every major wine award given in the English language. These include the James Beard award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year, the Louis Roederer award for Best Consumer Wine Writing, and the International Wine and Spirits award as the Global Wine Communicator of the Year. In a full-page profile on her, TIME Magazine called Karen “America’s Missionary of the Vine.” In 2018, Karen was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Wine.” Karen’s firm, Karen MacNeil & Company, creates customized corporate events for companies and individual groups. Among Karen’s clients are Lexus, Merrill Lynch, Disney, General Electric, UBS, and Singapore Airlines, as well as numerous law, banking, and biotech firms.
Karen is the co-creator and Chair Emerita of the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies at the Culinary Institute of America in the Napa Valley, which has been called “the Harvard of wine education.” More information about Karen can be found at www.karenmacneil.com.
About The Oneida® Group
The Oneida® Group is a leading global marketer of tabletop and food preparation products for the consumer and foodservice markets. With a comprehensive line of tabletop and food preparation products, they market their products globally under a broad range of consumer brands. Karen MacNeil’s range of stemware falls under both the consumer facing Oneida and the trade focused SAPORUS brand of food service. Customers range from Fortune 500 companies to medium and small-sized companies in the consumer, foodservice, business-to-business, and E-commerce channels. The company operates two glass manufacturing plants in the U.S. and sources a variety of proprietary designed tableware products. Visit https://www.oneida.com/ for more information.
For press inquiries and images, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.730.0064.
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Wente Family Estates Announces Key Promotions for Aly Wente and Tyson Overton
28 October, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kimberly Noelle Charles
Charles Communications Associates
415.701.9463 | press@charlescomm.com
Wente Family Estates Announces Key Promotions for its Sales & Marketing team
Tyson Overton Named Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
Aly Wente Appointed to Director of Marketing
LIVERMORE VALLEY, CA – October 28, 2020 – Wente Family Estates is pleased to announce the recent promotions of Tyson Overton to Chief Sales & Marketing Officer and Aly Wente to Director of Marketing. As part of a new alignment and focus for the country’s longest, continuously family-owned and operated winery, Wente Family Estates President Amy Hoopes states, “One of the reasons the Wente family has been in business for five generations is our ability to respond to a changing marketplace, be it varietal focus, innovative packaging, best practices in sustainability or finding new markets and audiences for our wines. These appointments reflect a strategic direction for the company that is responsive to our ‘new normal’ and continues to spotlight the abilities and talents of our team.”
Overton has been with Wente Family Estates since 2014 in various sales roles, most recently as Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer. His new, expanded role as Chief Sales & Marketing Officer has him leading the global sales and marketing efforts for the company’s portfolio which includes 75 export markets, a large domestic footprint and ecommerce efforts. He will be charged with driving profitable growth through long term strategic planning, analyzing the competitive landscape, developing successful sales and marketing initiatives and leading the professional development of the team. Before joining Wente Family Estates he was Vice President-International at 5.11 Tactical, a privately held company specializing in tactical/military gear, where he led international expansion including oversight of sales, marketing, operations and finance teams for the division. His prior wine industry background includes ten years at E.. & J. Gallo Winery where he held various sales and marketing roles in both domestic and export markets. “For more than 135 years the Wente Family have been leaders in the wine industry with a focus on quality, sustainability and excellence. I’m excited about this next chapter and my role in supporting the ongoing success and legacy at Wente Family Estates.”
Fifth generation family member Aly Wente has been promoted to Director of Marketing after joining the winery in 2019 following a four-year stint with Constellation Brands where she managed a portfolio of luxury and super luxury wines. In her new role, she will lead marketing efforts for the Wente Family Estates portfolio working closely with senior leadership, sales and cross-functional teams to ensure growth, alignment and focus for the brands across the portfolio: Wente Vineyards, entwine, Murrieta’s Well, Double Decker, Hayes Ranch, Ravel & Stitch, Angel’s Ink, Unsullied and the expanded portfolio of import wines including Bodega Cuarto Dominio and Blanchard & Lurton from Argentina. Aly is also tasked with enhancing the customer experience on property, in the wine clubs and online, ultimately responsible for growing and accelerating ecommerce across the portfolio. In the short time she has been at the family business, Aly has contributed towards the launch of innovative packaging across Wente Vineyards core wines, introducing the first voice-app wine tasting experience on Google Home and Amazon Alexa devices, launching Wente Vineyards first wine subscription service and developing key brand strategies to bring Wente Vineyards to a new demographic of consumers.
Reflecting on the impact of these promotions for the future, President Amy Hoopes stated, “As we continuously seek to refine our market strategy for today’s business climate and emulate best business practices in the wine industry, upholding a five generation tradition for the Wente family, we want the best talent on board to thrive and innovate. Tyson and Aly’s promotions are a confirmation of their hard work and commitment to excellence and an opportunity for them to sharpen their considerable skills in the arenas of sales and marketing. These promotions are part of a long-term vision to be one of the most respected family owned wineries in the world.”
About Wente Family Estates
Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards has been celebrated for its industry-wide contributions to innovation as the oldest continuously operated, family-owned winery in the country, now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The company portfolio is comprised of Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, Hayes Ranch, Ravel & Stitch, entwine, Angel’s Ink, Unsullied and Double Decker brands. The winery draws from certified sustainable Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines that are distributed in all 50 states and in over 70 countries worldwide. In 2010, it joined the top 5% of California wineries who meet all three tiers within the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing codes & designation. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California from France. Today, the Wente clones of Chardonnay are the most widely planted in California.
Wente Family Estates is among the top 30 wineries in the United States from the standpoint of production and distribution. The winery has a brisk domestic business and a significant share of the export wine market, where the wines have enjoyed international acclaim for decades.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California's premier wine country destinations. In 2018, the winery took a leadership role in its longstanding mission to inspire employees and guests to make time for what really matters, as realized through Wente Vineyards’ best practices, outstanding wines and wine country experiences. For more information, visit wentevineyards.com.
For press inquiries and images, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.
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The Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Reports on 2020 Harvest
26 October, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kimberly Noelle Charles
Charles Communications Associates
press@charlescomm.com | (415) 701-9463
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Harvest 2020: A Great Success in Both Quality and Value
Solighetto, October 26, 2020 – In the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG appellation, the 2020 harvest has successfully completed. In a year characterized by the COVID-19 crisis and the various challenges related to it, this harvest helped restore a sense of optimism, particularly with respect to the impressive quality of the grapes brought to the cellar.
This growing season was characterized by mild and dry climatic conditions up to the beginning of summer, with alternating days of rainfall and moderately warm periods thereafter. In fact, thanks to the hills' morphology, which consist of very steep slopes and good sun exposure for the vineyards, potentially harmful excess moisture was avoided. Mild weather brought sunny days and cool breezy nights which are ideal for keeping the grapes in optimal condition before they are brought to the cellar. These meteorological conditions led to a gradual evolution and ripening of the fruit on the vine right up to harvest and helped ensure that the enticing and signature floral and fruity aromas of the Glera grape were captured in vinification. The harvest will most likely be defined by the distinctive flavors and aromas that differ between the two extremes - the northwest and southeast of the appellation - a phenomenon that typically occurs in cooler years.
"This year's harvest presented a considerable and completely new challenge." said Innocente Nardi, President of the Consorzio di Tutela del Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, "We set about our work knowing that we still have many challenges ahead of us, and this is why the Consorzio has adopted policies that embody an approach of "healthy" focus, which will guarantee the Denomination's quality and value in the market.”
In a year such as this, the winemakers have made an even bigger effort than usual in order to guarantee that the vineyards and the resulting quality of the wines received the required care. Harvest started in the southeast area on the slopes with the largest sun exposure and gradually moved westwards before climbing the cooler embankments of the Valdobbiadene slopes, where the characteristics of the land necessitate what is called “heroic harvesting,” which requires a mastery cultivated over generations of local practice. The grapes harvested at the two extremes of the Denomination will result in equally diverse wines, demonstrating the exceptionality of the Glera vine. Glera is capable of revealing a wide range of characteristics, from the ripest fruits to white flowers, from less to more notable acidity, all the while maintaining flavors that reflect the diversity of the terrain.
On the steepest embankments of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene territory, between 600 and 700 hours of manual labor are required per hectare every year, compared to an average of 150-200 hours per hectare in flat areas that can be accessed by machine harvesting. It is for this reason that 'heroic' harvesting represents the ingenuity of the region's winemakers. ‘Heroic’ viticulture perseveres by promoting quality, not quantity.
From the northwest area we expect wines with pleasantly fresh green apple and herbal notes resulting from this area's exposure. While from the south-east we foresee wines that taste that exhibit more exotic fruit notes of apple and pear, which are typical aromas of Prosecco Superiore. Overall, the vintage promises a balance between floral and fruity aromas, with a note of acidity which gives the wines their characteristic freshness. It will therefore be a year characterized by the aromatic floral typicity of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, bringing out the characteristics that make it a sparkling wine loved by consumers all over the world.
About the Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G.
The Consorzio is a private body created to represent vine-growers, winemaking companies and bottlers from Conegliano Valdobbiadene and to safeguard the standards of what are now the D.O.C.G. criteria in crafting wines of the highest quality and distinct provenance. Their work is focused on three major areas: protection, promotion and sustainability. They improve sparkling production methods, provide assistance and training and supervise all stages of winemaking to guarantee the quality of this outstanding, Italian viticultural region. Prosecco Superiore exports to over 130 countries.
Created in 1969, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore was one of the first Italian appellations to earn D.O.C recognition, obtaining the D.O.C.G. status in 2009. These sparkling wines come from the historic area of Prosecco production, a unique, hillside terroir that was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Conegliano Valdobbiadene is situated in the northeast of Italy, between Venice and the Dolomites (at the foothills of the Alps), offering a mild, temperate climate ideal for grape growing, producing serious food wines with pairing versatility, showcasing a range of different styles, aroma and flavor characteristics.
Connect with the Consorzio on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or visit prosecco.it to learn more about the region and its sparkling wines.
About Charles Communications Associates
Founded in 2003, Charles Communications Associates, LLC (CCA) is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm based in San Francisco, California, that helps local and global companies create, build, and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective marketing firms in the wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural, and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. Please socialize with us @CharlesComm on Twitter, and @AlltheSwirl on Instagram and Facebook.
For interviews, imagery, or more information, please contact:
Kimberly Noelle Charles at Charles Communications Associates: press@charlescomm.com or (415) 701-9463.
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Wente Family Estates President Amy Hoopes nominated by Wine Enthusiast for Wine Star Awards
16 October, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kimberly Noelle Charles
Charles Communications Associates
415.701.9463 | press@charlescomm.com
Wente Family Estates President Amy Hoopes nominated by Wine Enthusiast for Wine Star Awards
Wine Executive of the Year – to be announced November 11th on Winemag.com
and celebrated in the December “Best of Year” issue
LIVERMORE VALLEY, CA – October 16, 2020 – Wente Family Estates is pleased to announce that President, Amy Hoopes has been nominated in the category of Wine Executive of the Year for the wine industry’s prestigious Wine Star Awards, produced and presented by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Now in its 21st year, the awards annually recognizes people and organizations within the wine and alcohol beverage industry who are making remarkable contributions to its advancement. Wente Family Estates is the country’s longest continuously family-owned and operated winery, focused on producing top quality, appellation-driven California wines with strong distribution in a competitive marketplace both domestically and internationally.
This nomination joins a long list of industry achievements for Hoopes who joined Wente Family Estates in 2007 as the Vice President of Marketing. For the last thirteen years she has brought innovation, adaptation and strategic planning to the family business, keeping them ranked among the top 30 wine companies in America according to Wine Business Monthly.[1] Previous roles included Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President before being appointed President in 2016. In that role, she focuses on portfolio strategy and guest experience, working with a team of marketing, sales and hospitality leaders at Wente. Throughout her time with the company she has guided the business through both challenging and prosperous times, always with an eye on the future, particularly as the wine industry has recently faced new and unprecedented challenges. She oversees all global marketing and sales operations for Wente Vineyards, entwine, Murrieta’s Well, Double Decker, Hayes Ranch, Ravel & Stitch, Angel’s Ink and Unsullied wine brands as well as the family’s golf course, direct to consumer sales and tasting room experiences.
This is the second nomination for Hoopes with the Awards, the other being the Social Impact category in 2018. The family received American Winery of the Year in 2011 for its contributions to the American wine industry, spotlighting the historic Livermore Valley where the company was established by Carl Wente who came to California as an immigrant 137 years ago. Today eight members of the fourth and fifth generations manage and operate the company with diverse responsibilities, led by CEO Carolyn Wente. Together the family team along with Hoopes, are striving to position Wente Family Estates as the most respected family-owned winery in the world. Family leadership is comprised of 4th generation winegrowers; CEO Carolyn Wente, Chairman of the Board Eric Wente, Vice Chairman Phil Wente; Fifth Generation Winegrowers COO and Chief Winemaker Karl D. Wente, President of Wente Foundation for Arts Education Christine Wente, Director of Marketing Aly Wente, Viticulture Manager Niki Wente, and Project Manager for Winegrowing Operations Jordan Wente.
Hoopes was among Direct Marketing News distinguished list of “40 Under 40” marketers in 2014 and was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Femme in 2015. She is a member of the Communications Committee for Wine Institute, an executive board member and Past President for Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association, a Member of Monterey County Vintners and Winegrowers Association, a Board Member for First Beverage Group and the Past President and active member of the San Francisco chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. She is also Co-President for the San Francisco Chapter of CISV, a global non-profit focused on education and inspiring action for a more just and peaceful world.
About the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards Process
This year, all full-time and contributing divisions (Sales, Events, Marketing, Editorial) of Wine Enthusiast Media were invited to submit nominees for our Wine Star Awards categories and submitted their nominations anonymously, with explanations of what made the nomination appropriate for consideration. That list of nominees was then sent to the group for anonymous voting to cull the larger nominee lists down. Final winners were chosen from the culled down list by the Executive Publishing team with selections based on many factors, including impact on consumers and trade in the wine, spirits, or beer space, commercial successes, company/brand vision, and trendsetting. The Wine Star Awards are an overall beverage industry awards program. While the editors are invited to participate, this is a collaborative program incorporating the input of all divisions of the Wine Enthusiast company and is not a specifically editorial franchise.
About Wente Family Estates
Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards has been celebrated for its industry-wide contributions to innovation as the oldest continuously operated, family-owned winery in the country, now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The company portfolio is comprised of Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, Hayes Ranch, Ravel & Stitch, entwine, Angel’s Ink, Unsullied and Double Decker brands. The winery draws from certified sustainable Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines that are distributed in all 50 states and in over 70 countries worldwide. In 2010, it joined the top 5% of California wineries who meet all three tiers within the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing codes & designation. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California from France. Today, the Wente clones of Chardonnay are the most widely planted in California.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California's premier wine country destinations. In 2018, the winery took a leadership role in its longstanding mission to inspire employees and guests to make time for what really matters, as realized through Wente Vineyards’ best practices, outstanding wines and wine country experiences. For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com.
For press inquiries and images, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.
[1] February 2020 issue Wine Business Monthly
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Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Announces Master Classes in Collaboration with Italian Wine Central
14 October, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14 2020
Contact: Kimberly Noelle Charles
Charles Communications Associates
press@charlescomm.com | (415) 701-9463
***MEDIA ALERT***
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Announces Master Classes in Collaboration with Italian Wine Central
3 Virtual Master Classes for Distributors Will Be Held This Fall
October 28th November 11th December 2nd
WHO: The Consorzio of vine-growers, winemaking companies and bottlers from Italy’s Conegliano Valdobbiadene region, was established to safeguard the standards of what eventually became the D.O.C.G. criteria in crafting wines of the highest quality and distinct provenance. Their mission is to increase the recognition of D.O.C.G. Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore and its nuanced, complex, world-class sparkling wines. The United States is the 4th largest importer of Prosecco Superiore, and the Consorzio hopes to further engage its audiences while introducing new sparkling wine lovers to the D.O.C.G. category.
The aim of the U.S. campaign, as always, is to educate the trade and public about everything Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. has to offer - regionality, authenticity, and high standards in winegrowing and winemaking. Understanding the nuances of high elevation winegrowing, regional variation between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, the typologies of the wines from the region on a dryness scale, the Martinotti method among many other production cues helps the gatekeepers in the trade share the tremendous selling points of the region, particularly with its great price to quality ratio.
WHAT: The Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG invites you to a webinar showcasing the elegant sparkling wines from the historical heart and pinnacle of Italy’s Prosecco Superiore region.
This specially curated tasting is aimed at continuing to educate the trade about these nuanced, complex and extreme value sparkling wines. In 2020, Prosecco Superiore is up in value 16% and in volume 17% globally while the US claims the 4th largest importer spot. We’ll discuss strategies for participating in this trend as we approach the holiday period and plan for 2021.
In these interactive sessions, Geralyn Brostrom of Italian Wine Central will be joined by one of Prosecco Superiore DOCG’s expertly trained sommbassadors. They will delve into: the nuances of high elevation winegrowing and high standards in winemaking, regional variation between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, the typologies of the wines on a dryness scale, selling points of the region, with a focus on its great price to quality ratio, and how to hand sell Prosecco Superiore to different customers.
The Consortium is able to provide samples to the first 25 people who sign up, but all are welcome to join! Samples cannot be received for more than one class. If you’re interested in attending let us know by emailing Kristen Rinck at kristen@charlescomm.com.
Master Class – For Wine Trade Only
Join Geralyn Brostrom and Jennifer Wagoner - Wine Director, Sepia and PROXI, Chicago, IL - for a one-hour Master Class on Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore presented on Zoom.
Wagoner’s love of sparkling wine fueled an interest in Prosecco Superiore that lead to her being named an ambassador for the Prosecco Superiore DOCG in 2019. “Prosecco Superiore DOCG is an appellation that warrants serious discussion and study,” she says. “The wines have a story to tell. Nothing makes me happier than introducing something new and exciting to guests and allowing them to create a narrative of their own. These wines have the ability to do that.”
WHEN: October 28th, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. PST / 6:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: The class will be held via Zoom.
Join Geralyn Brostrom and Iris Rowlee - Wine Director, Octavia and Frances, San Francisco, CA - for a one-hour Master Class on Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore presented on Zoom.
Rowlee’s passion for Italian wine and deep knowledge of Italy’s plethora of diverse varieties and landscapes parlay into her work. She strives to bring consumers new explorations in Italian wine, something they might not expect or have discovered on their own. “It’s about broadening the human experience,” says Rowlee, “and the rich history, variety of terroir, compelling human stories of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. provide the perfect opportunity.”
WHEN: November 11, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. PST / 6:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: The class will be held via Zoom.
Join Geralyn Brostrom and Amy Thurmond - Beverage Manager at Carne Mare in New York, NY- for a one-hour Master Class on Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore presented on Zoom.
Last year, Thurmond was excited to be named the New York brand ambassador for Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. “I love that the Prosecco Superiore DOCG has very high standards for quality—most of the region is hand-harvested and the grapes are treated with care and respect. I’m particularly fond of the Rive wines, with their ‘heroic’ vineyard sites and steep slopes, they bring a beautiful minerality and complexity to the wine,” says Amy.
WHEN: December 2, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. PST / 6:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: The class will be held via Zoom.
Connect with the Consorzio on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or visit prosecco.it to learn more about the region and its sparkling wines.
About Italian Wine Central
Geralyn Brostrom has been an educator in one form or another throughout her life. After 20 years in multiple wine industry channels, from wineries to retail to import, Geralyn’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and she started Italian Wine Central. The development of the Italian Wine Professional program represents the synergy between two of her passions: helping others learn and the allure of Italy.
Italian Wine Central (IWC) is the leading English-language source of accurate, up-to-date information about Italian wine, recognized as a leading voice for Italian wine in the United States. IWC’s resources include italianwinecentral.com, two educational programs, and several editions of the manual Into Italian Wine.
Connect with Italian Wine Central on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or visit their Website to learn more.
About Charles Communications Associates
Founded in 2003, Charles Communications Associates, LLC (CCA) is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm based in San Francisco, California, that helps local and global companies create, build, and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective marketing firms in the wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural, and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. Please socialize with us @CharlesComm on Twitter, and @AlltheSwirl on Instagram and Facebook. Visit the website at www.charlescomm.com
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Domaine Carneros Announces Fall Offerings
9 September, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9 2020
Contact: Charles Communications Associates
415.701.9463 | press@charlescomm.com
***MEDIA ALERT***
Domaine Carneros Announces Fall Offerings
The much adored Bubbles and Bites experience is coming back!
WHO: Founded in 1987 in the Carneros appellation of Northern California by the Champagne Taittinger family, Domaine Carneros is a grower producer of ultra-premium sparkling wines and limited production pinot noirs. Domaine Carneros has become the benchmark for California sparkling wine, reflecting both the individuality of the Carneros’ terroir and the craftsmanship of its French legacy.
WHERE: Domaine Carneros Winery 1240 Duhig Rd, Napa, CA 94559
With their reopening this summer, important changes have been made to Domaine Carneros’ guest experience to protect both the visitor and the winery team. Masks and social distancing are required. Please review this document before arriving.
Pop your trunk! Contactless curbside pickup has been and is available. Call to place your order 1-800-716-2788 ext. 100. Available M-F 10-5
Prefer to have your bubbles dropped off at home? During the month of September, enjoy $10 standard shipping on any 6+ (750ml) bottles to a single address ($5 for club members)! 50% off standard shipping on 6+ to AK, HI, and NJ. For each purchase of one of their featured 6-bottle packs , Domaine Carneros will sponsor a “Stay Healthy” kit from Heart to Heart International. This organization works to improve health access and provide humanitarian development worldwide.
WHAT: Outdoor Tastings on the Terrace
From your table overlooking the rolling hills of Carneros, enjoy a flight of sparkling or still wine. All tastings are seated and led by an experienced wine professional. Take a look at the tasting menu here.
WHEN:
Reservations are required and are available daily beginning at 10am with the last reservation at 4:30pm. Please make reservations by clicking the reserve button on their visitors page. or by calling 1-800-716-2788 x 150.
WHAT: The Art of Sparkling Wine Pairing: Bubbles & Bites
Experience the versatility of Sparkling wine in this Food & Wine Pairing specially curated to highlight the flavors of Asia. This experience will include four savory and one sweet Asian-themed bites paired with four of their Sparkling wines—Ultra Brut, Estate Brut, Brut Rose, and Vermeil Demi-Sec. Led by their most seasoned wine educators, this experience will open your eyes to a new side of Sparkling wine.
WHEN:
Available by appointment beginning September 7
60-minute experience
$90 / Club Members $72 (cost does not include gratuity or sales tax)
Reserve: 707-257-0101 x 135 or reservations@domainecarneros.com
48-hour cancellation
WHAT: The Ultimate Chips & Dip
Caviar and sparkling wine are the food and wine pairing equivalent of Cracker Jacks and baseball – they simply go together. Add rich crème fraîche and the crunch of a potato chip and you have elevated the pairing to a new level. In this experience, you will sample three of the estates most highly treasured wines alongside three ½ ounce servings of Tsar Nicoulai Caviar’s finest artisanal caviars: Estate, Reserve and the rarest, Crown Jewel. Due to the seasonal nature of caviar, please note the specific caviar selections may vary.
This experience is designed for two guests and includes three tastes of Domaine Carneros sparkling wines paired with three ½ ounce portions of Tsar Nicoulai Caviar, accompanied with gourmet potato chips, toast points, and crème fraîche.
WHEN:
Available by appointment
$350 per couple / Club Members $280 (cost does not include gratuity or sales tax)
To Reserve: 707-257-0101 x 161 or tours@domainecarneros.com
ABOUT DOMAINE CARNEROS
Intent on staking a future in California’s promising wine industry, the Taittinger family purchased a 138-acre vineyard in the heart of Carneros in 1986. The appellation that spans the southern tip of both Sonoma and Napa Valleys, Carneros’ cool climate is ideally suited for cultivating exceptional chardonnay and pinot noir, perfect for producing the elegant, balanced wines that Domaine Carneros is now known for. The six estate vineyards total approximately 400 acres with 125 acres planted to Chardonnay, 225 acres planted to Pinot Noir, with the remaining acres currently in development.
The winery also places a high value on preserving the environment and has been a leader with respect to a vast array of environmental undertakings. The roof of the pinot noir winery adjacent to the château hosts a solar array that was the largest on any winery in the world when it was installed and continues to be expanded. The most recent award, one of many from Federal, State and local government; was the California Green Medal for Domaine Carneros’ demonstration of “Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices."
For information, images and interviews please contact Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415-701-9463.
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2020 Wine Country Fire Relief Fundraiser Kicks Off
24 August, 2020
For Immediate Release Contact: Charles Communications Associates
press@charlescomm.com
415-730-0064
2020 Wine Country Fire Relief Fundraiser Kicks Off
Wine Industry Marketing Professionals Regroup to Fundraise for Wine Regions Under Threat in California
San Francisco, CA August 24, 2020 – Today, five wine industry marketing professionals are launching a fundraising campaign for direct relief for those in California’s wine country affected by the statewide lightning fire complex. Many wine regions throughout the state have come under siege due to the fires that unleashed in the pre-dawn hours of August 15th. As of this writing 19 fire complexes comprising 949,697 acres total are affected. This includes the wine regions located in Alameda, Contra Costa, Lake, Monterey, Napa, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties, which have experienced loss or are under threat. One week in, containment numbers are less than 20% for most of the fires, which has been recorded as the largest in terms of acreage.
The California wine industry makes 81% of U.S. wine and is the world’s 4th largest producer. Representing 635,000 acres, its 3,900 wineries and 5,900 grape growers contribute approximately $114 billion annually to the U.S. economy providing 786,000 jobs and $35 billion in wages, according to the Wine Institute.
During the 2017 wine country fires, the team, comprised of Tia Butts, Katie Calhoun, Kimberly Charles, Rebecca Hopkins launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising close to $100,000 for direct relief focused on farmworkers who are a vital part of the wine industry's fabric. This campaign will have a similar objective, supporting various regions' most essential needs and is joined this year by southern California based Katherine Jarvis. A GoFundMe page has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/f/2020-wine-country-fire-relief-fund and the team has identified a number of causes included on the attached work in progress addendum that will be in receipt of funding. In 2017, One Hope’s CEO and Co-Founder Jake Kloberdanz provided a generous matching gift to the fund.
For more information, please contact Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415-730-0064. Please consider donating and share this campaign with friends, colleagues and those who love and appreciate the great wines of California. Again, contributions can be made here.
Social Media:
Follow the Facebook Page for updates: 2020 Wine Country Fire Relief Fund
Stay updated via social media on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter at: #winecountryfirerelief and #WCFR and #2020winecountryfirerelief
Other helpful topics to follow include: #calfire, #california, #californiawildfire, #2020californiafires, #2020winecountryfires, #californiafires, #LNULightningComplex, #SCULightningComplex #CZULightning, #RiverFire
Organizations targeted for 2020 Wine Country Fire Relief Funding
American Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org/donate/
World Central Kitchen
https://donate.wck.org/give
Firefighters Relief - California Fire Foundation
https://linktr.ee/cafirefound
Providing emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect.
Napa County
Napa Valley Community Foundation
https://www.napavalleycf.org/
Sonoma County
Sonoma County Vintners Emergency Relief
https://sonomawine.com/foundation/
https://undocufund.org/
Sonoma Family Meal
https://www.sonomafamilymeal.org/
Monterey County
Monterey County Community Resilience Program
https://montereyco.recovers.org/
https://foodbankformontereycounty.org/
Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties
https://www.ksbw.com/article/how-to-help-the-central-coast-fire-victims/33674589
General Info
Regular Updates on the Fires and containment
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/
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Cycles Gladiator Murals Honoring 100 Years of Women’s Right to Vote Artist Update
10 August, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kimberly Noelle Charles
Phone 415|701-9463
Email: press@charlescomm.com
Walls for Women- Murals Progress
Cycles Gladiator Sponsors Mural Festival Honoring 100 Years of Women’s Right to Vote
Tennessee’s Ratification of the 19th Amendment
Santa Rosa, CA August 10, 2020 —This summer, the well-known national wine brand, Cycles Gladiator has partnered with Walls for Women, a public art and awareness campaign to mark the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote. Conceived by Tullahoma, Tenn.-based nonprofit DMA-events, eight new murals are being painted around the state by talented women, traditionally underrepresented in the public art movement. To date, two murals have been completed: “Wisteria Maiden” by Juuri of Oklahoma City in Tullahoma, Tenn. and Jenny Ustick of Cincinnati, Ohio whose mural “Hebe, the Moon, the Rivers and the Land” comprises four motifs within one, was installed in McMinnville, Tenn. last week.
The muralists selected by DMA-events, which is dedicated to curating artistic expression in public places, will also include Paris Woodhull whose work will grace the Printshop Beer Co. in Knoxville, Tenn. and Nicole Salgar, who is painting at Bike ‘N Tri in Maryville, Tenn. this and next week. Meanwhile, a duo of painters Cymone Wilder and Sarah Painter are collaborating on a mural nearly 200 feet in length at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, and artist Kim Radford will soon begin an installation in Nolensville, Tenn. Additional artists will include Whitney Herrington and Tara Aversa for a total of five Tennesseans and the balance from out of state. The schedule for the installations is listed below. Follow Cycles Gladiator Wine and DMA-Events and on Facebook for regular updates:
McMinnville: July 18-27
Tullahoma: July 19-24
Knoxville: Aug. 1-10
Maryville: Aug. 4-18
Nashville: Aug. 6-18
Centerville: Aug. 28-31
Nolensville: TBD
Dates are subject to modification pending weather and extenuating circumstances
The murals are painted on walls in high-visibility locations with the subject matter selected by the individual artists’ professional talents with no creative restrictions.
“At DMA-events, we believe in giving the artists full artistic freedom. The murals themselves will not necessarily be about the suffrage movement directly,” says Walls for Women Organizer Kristin Luna. “They will be whimsical, thoughtful and drive forward the state’s century-old commitment to female equality and empowering rights.”
“This was an epochal event in American history,” said Cycles Gladiator Founding Winemaker Adam LaZarre. “And it was the state of Tennessee with its ratification of the amendment that gave the deciding vote granting American women the right to vote. One hundred years later we want to say ‘thank you’ to all Tennesseans for their forebears’ commitment to moving women forward by commissioning exciting new art.” Director of Marketing for Cycles Gladiator’s parent company, Wine Hooligans, Anna Frizzell stated, “In this election season with the news dominated by many important issues, we are proud to have signed on as a sponsor earlier this year. Our longstanding commitment is to empower women at all levels.”
Luna added, “We’re grateful to Cycles Gladiator for recognizing this historic moment for women and wanting to empower female artists through the support of this festival. It’s so important that all industries, not just public art, commit to the hiring of women going forward.”
Belle Époque-inspired, Cycles Gladiator’s wine packaging features a woman suspended in mid-air, liberated by the bicycle, a new invention in the 19th century. Cycles Gladiator was the name of the Paris-based bicycle company, whose evocative posters inspired women to get out of the house and explore the larger world, a seismic shift after so many years of domesticity. The Belle Epoque period in history spanned from 1871 to 1914 and was a period of social, cultural and technological innovations, with much of the inspiration coming from France.
About Walls for Women: Kristin Luna and Scott Van Velsor started 501(c)(3) DMA-events in May 2018 as a way to harness and inspire the imaginative spirit found in all of humanity by removing some of the barriers to entry of the creative process. Walls for Women focuses exclusively on capturing female creative energy for artistic placemaking in communities in need of joy, hope and color during Tennessee’s Centennial of the 19th Amendment. All DMA murals are updated on the website map in real time, and a Walls for Women trail map will be available at WallsForWomen.com at the conclusion of the festival.
About Cycles Gladiator: Noted award-winning winemaker Adam LaZarre started Cycles Gladiator in 2005. His goal: to make really great wines that taste two to three times the price and to know that on any given night, someone somewhere is enjoying his wine. Based in Paso Robles, California, LaZarre guides the whole process from selecting the best vineyards from the Central and North Coasts, to working with growers, to complete control of the winemaking, producing five expressive and tasty wines – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
For more information, interviews and images please contact Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463.
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Les Dames d’Escoffier International Announces Its 2020 Grande Dame Award Winner As Carolyn Wente
29 July, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET
Charles Communications Associates
press@charlescomm.com | (415) 701-9463
Les Dames d’Escoffier International Announces Its 2020 Grande Dame Award Winner As
Carolyn Wente Joins Lidia Bastianich, Joan Nathan, Edna Lewis and Alice Waters in Honor
LIVERMORE, CA (July 21, 2020) – Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s (LDEI) prestigious Grande Dame Award will be presented this year to Carolyn Wente, CEO of Wente Family Estates, America’s longest continuously operated family-owned winery. Wente has guided the expansion and growth of the Wente Family Estate’s portfolio of wines and the development of the Wente family’s lifestyle businesses for four decades. A co-founder of LDEI’s San Francisco Chapter, Wente has been a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier for 31 years and has served on the national Board of Directors as well as in San Francisco.
LDEI is an organization of women leaders in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. Its Grande Dame Award honors a lifetime of outstanding professional achievement, excellence, and charitable/community contributions within the culinary industry and is bestowed annually. Wente, the sixteenth recipient of this international honor, will receive the award at LDEI’s first virtual conference to be held in October.
Joining the family business in the early 1980s, Wente’s culinary career in wine spans over 40 years and she is a part of the fourth generation of Wente’s family-owned vineyards, sustainably cultivating over 3,000 acres. “There are very few family businesses that survive past the third generation,” shares Wente. “I am proud to be a member of the fourth generation in a successful and growing family business in a very competitive global environment.”
Under Wente’s leadership, the company has become a world-renowned destination located in the idyllic settings of the Livermore Valley and Monterey County, California. The first step to realizing the family’s dream for a new appreciation of wine as part of America culture was the opening of the Wente Vineyards Visitors Center and Restaurant in 1986. In that same year, The Concerts at Wente Vineyards was launched featuring musical artists including James Taylor and Sheryl Crow. In 1998, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Australian golfing great Greg Norman was developed. And in 2010, the course was awarded with the esteemed “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” status.
Wente has authored two books. In 2003, “The Casual Vineyard Table” was published, sharing wine and food pairing along with everyday meal planning. Prior to its publication, she co-authored “Sharing the Vineyard Table: A Celebration of Wine and Food from the Wente Vineyard Restaurant” with Kimball Jones.
Over the last several years, Wente has been awarded numerous honors, perhaps most notably the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World in 2002 sponsored by J.P. Morgan, Baccarat and Hermes. Additionally, she was awarded Winery CEO of the Year 2019 by North Bay Business Journal; the “20 Most Admired People in the North America Wine Industry” in 2013 from Vineyard & Winery Management; the Women Leadership Award in 2012 from Girl Scouts of America; and the American Winery of the Year Award in 2011 from Wine Enthusiast — among many others.
Wente is well-known for her generosity of time and community outreach as seen through her board service with the Stanford Athletic Advisory, the U.S. Department of State’s Fine Arts Committee, and more. She also has the distinction of being the fifth member of the Wente family to serve as Board Chair of the California Wine Institute (2014-2015).
Currently, Wente is heading efforts to meet her family’s goals for Wente Family Estates: continued business growth, strengthening the brand promise, and developing a high performing organization — each integral to ensuring transition where the fifth and future generations take over a healthy profitable business to include both family and non-family members. Wente says, “As a family, we are always pushing the quality envelope for our wines. With our lifestyle businesses, the same holds true, providing a quality experience that exceeds our guests’ expectations.”
Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) is a worldwide philanthropic organization of professional women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage and hospitality. The invitation-only membership, composed of over 2,400 women in 44 chapters across the US, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and Mexico, is highly diversified and reflects the multifaceted fields of contemporary gastronomy and hospitality. For more information, visit ldei.org
About Wente Family Estates
Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards has been resoundingly celebrated for its industry-wide contributions to innovation as the longest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country, now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The company portfolio is comprised of Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, Hayes Ranch, Ravel & Stitch, entwine and Angel’s Ink brands. The winery draws from certified sustainable estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines that are distributed in all 50 states and in over 70 countries worldwide. In 2010, it joined the top 4 percent of California wineries who meet all three tiers within the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing codes & designation. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and is among the top 30 wineries in the United States according to Wine Business Monthly, (February 2020). 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California from France. Today, the Wente clones of Chardonnay are the most widely planted in California.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California's premier wine country destinations. In 2018, the winery took a leadership role in its longstanding mission to inspire employees and guests to make time for what really matters, as realized through Wente Vineyards’ best practices, outstanding wines and wine country experiences. The property features wine tasting, world-class concerts, award-winning fine dining and championship golf. Wente Vineyards is also proud to have 100% estate grown wines and have the Certified Sustainable designations across their vineyards and winery through California Certified Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.
For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com.
For interviews, imagery, or more information, please contact: Kimberly Noelle Charles at Charles Communications Associates: press@charlescomm.com or (415) 701-9463.
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Remi Cohen appointed as new CEO of Domaine Carneros
15 July, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kimberly Noelle Charles
Charles Communications Associates
415.701-9463 | kcharles@charlescomm.com
Remi Cohen appointed as new CEO of Domaine Carneros
July 15, 2020 - Remi Cohen, a seasoned executive across the realms of management, finance, sales, marketing, viticulture and winemaking joins Domaine Carneros this August as CEO just before harvest kicks off. With 20 years of experience that began in the Carneros region at Saintsbury just after receiving her master’s degree in viticulture, Cohen comes full circle after building a multi-faceted career focused on fine winemaking, superb viticultural know how, managing teams, and directing strategic sales and marketing programs in the luxury wine space. Her most recent position was that of COO at Lede Family Wines, where she built a decade long career earning her many accolades including in 2015, Wine Enthusiast’s 40 under 40 recognition as a tastemaker and influencer in the Napa Valley.
Cohen has long held Domaine Carneros and its management in high regard stating, “I admire the incredible talent, leadership, and vision that luminary Eileen Crane has provided for the winery. I take great pride in the opportunity to continue to develop this foundation of excellence.” After a sparkling 33-year career as founding winemaker and CEO, Crane will hand over the reins in August while overseeing her last harvest and blending the 2020 cuvees following.
Cohen’s education and experience make her a well-rounded executive for the world class winery that has built an enviable Direct to Client sales and hospitality reputation, alongside a robust three tier distribution marketplace with Kobrand Corporation, its national marketing and distribution partner. She received a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology from University of California, Berkeley, and then went on to receive master’s degrees in Viticulture from University of California, Davis and an MBA in Finance from Golden Gate University.
Among her many accomplishments at Lede Family Wines was the fine tuning of winemaking and viticultural practices, taking the winery next level in terms of critical scores. As an advocate of sustainability practices, in perfect line with the sensibility and standards at Domaine Carneros, she presided over the receipt of Napa Green certification for the land and winery. Her management style of open communications, cross team engagement and customized personnel guidance match well with the open book leadership style Crane embraced over the recent decade. When queried about her plans for the winery she shared, “The wine industry is at a pivotal time, with changing consumer demographics. I look forward to using data-driven and team decision-making processes to create innovative, benchmark hospitality programs as well as wine club and consumer engagement tactics to attract and retain a broad membership and consumer base.”
Of the hire, Eileen Crane states, “I have had a long and satisfying career guiding Domaine Carneros to where it is today. My dream from the age of eight was to make delicious sparkling wine. From a little girl in New Jersey through a path of many adventures with twists and turns, eventually I found the career that has been more than a dream come true. And it has been a great pleasure to work with the Taittinger family for 33 years. Remi has all the qualities and more to take us to the next evolutionary step, particularly during a challenging time in the wine business. Her adaptability to the changing demographic and cultural landscape will guide the winery into the future with a steady hand at the helm.”
Crane also underscored the high value that the founding Taittinger family has for female leadership. The Taittinger family’s CEO is Vitalie Taittinger, who was the company’s first female president since its founding. Of Crane’s departure she states, “Eileen Crane will forever be a name associated with the golden age of Carneros. We look forward to Remi Cohen’s vision for the winery as it enters its 34th year in 2021.”
ABOUT DOMAINE CARNEROS
Founded in 1987, Domaine Carneros reflects the hallmark of its founder, Champagne Taittinger, in creating a vision of terroir-driven sparkling wine and preserving the quality tenets of the traditional method production. Located entirely within the Carneros AVA, between Napa and Sonoma counties, the six estate vineyards total approximately 400 acres with 125 acres planted to Chardonnay, 225 acres planted to Pinot Noir, with the remaining acres currently in development. The winery focuses on making ultra-premium Carneros sparkling wines largely estate grown and limited production Pinot Noirs.
Domaine Carneros' château has become a landmark and symbol of the region. The architecture and interior design were inspired by the 18th century Château de la Marquetterie, the historic Taittinger family residence in the Champagne region.
The winery also places a high value on preserving the environment and has taken on a vast array of environmental efforts. The roof of the pinot noir winery adjacent to the château hosts a solar array that was the largest on any winery in the world when it was installed and continues to be expanded. The most recent award, one of many from Federal, State and local government; was the California Green Medal for Domaine Carneros’ demonstration of “Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.”
For information, images and interviews please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles at Charles Communications Associates either by email kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415-701-9463.
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Parallel Napa Valley Moves Private, By Appointment Tastings at Brasswood in St. Helena Outdoors as Private, Online Tastings Continue
14 July, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kimberly Noelle Charles
Charles Communications Associates
press@charlescomm.com
Tel 415-730-0064
Parallel Napa Valley Moves Private, By Appointment Tastings at Brasswood in St. Helena Outdoors as Private, Online Tastings Continue
Following Napa County protocols both tastings are held outdoors
Napa Valley, CA – July 14, 2020 – Following the recent update on Napa County regulations, which requires tasting rooms and restaurants to move all tastings and dining outside, Parallel Napa Valley announced it will be hosting their in person tastings outdoors. At Parallel’s winemaking and hospitality home, Brasswood in St. Helena, there is plenty of stunning outdoor spaces to privately host guests for both their Apres Wine Tasting and Lunch & Wine Tasting Experiences. Both of these in-person tasting options continue to follow the strict state and county protocols in place for hygiene, sanitation and social distancing.
The Parallel Wine Pairing Lunch features a set menu of four seasonal courses paired with four Parallel Wines, which are crafted by renowned winemaker Philippe Melka, including Napa Valley Chardonnay, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Diamond Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and a special pour from Parallel’s Library Selection.
“We are very excited to welcome guests once again for an unforgettable wine pairing lunch experience at Brasswood,” said Parallel General Manager Adrienne Smith. “We’ve offered this experience for more than two years, and it is one of our most popular. Our wines really shine with the delicious seasonal dishes prepared by Brasswood Chef David Nuno, and the whole experience makes for a delightful and memorable day in the beautiful Napa Valley.”
The Apres Wine Tasting gives visitors the chance to enjoy the same four Parallel Wines with a special selection of small bites and cheeses from the Brasswood Bakery.
Reservations for the Parallel Private Wine Pairing Lunch are available seven days a week with the earliest appointment at 11:30AM. Appointments for the Apres Wine Tasting are available at 10:00AM, 12:00PM or 2:00PM daily. Reservation requests for parties of up to five people for lunch and up to six for the Apres Tasting can be made online or by contacting Adrienne Smith directly at adrienne@parallelwines.com or by phone at (707) 486-1100. Guests will be able to purchase Parallel Wines on-site or place orders to be shipped to their homes in states where permitted.
Online Tasting Experiences to Continue
Since the Covid-19 pandemic forced so many shut-downs, Parallel Napa Valley has seen great success with its online tasting experiences. In March, Parallel launched a private online tasting option hosted by their Culinary Institute of America-trained chef and General Manager, Adrienne Smith, which offers guests three bottles of current-release Parallel Wines, including Napa Valley Chardonnay, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Black Diamond Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as food pairing suggestions and tasting notes, for $95 per person.
Most recently, Parallel added an optional selection of food pairings from St. Helena’s Panevino that can be added to any wine tasting experience for $35, including Rosemary Mixed Nuts, Saucisson Provencal and Oil-Cured French Olive and Provencal Herb Grissini. “Each specialty item was chosen to pair with one of the three stunning Philippe Melka Parallel Wines featured in the online tasting,” added Smith. “All the guests need to do is provide the glasses and wine opener for a complete Parallel Napa Valley tasting experience in their own home.”
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, well-regarded by leading critics as one of the pre-eminent wine consultants in the U.S. and beyond. The winery was established originally as a partnership in 1999 by close friends who felt the concept of their dream represented their parallel lives in Deer Valley (in Park City, Utah) where they are originally from, and Napa Valley, their second home. The Parallel Napa Valley label captures the essence of the lines carved by skis on the first run of the day, and the wines are named for famous black diamond ski runs. In addition to making great wines, 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.
Parallel Napa Valley’s hospitality and winemaking home is located in the stylish, appointment-only tasting room in Brasswood, just a few miles north of the town of St. Helena. It offers a sophisticated food pairing tasting menu, which can be booked for daytime tastings, lunches, and receptions. The beautiful facility also can be available to host private dinners - even weddings - in the Brasswood Restaurant or a private room.
About Charles Communications Associates
Charles Communications Associates, a leading marketer of fine wine brands and regions is proud to have represented Parallel Napa Valley since the founding of the brand. For media inquiries, images and interviews, please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at 415.701.9463 or kcharles@charlescomm.com.
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Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Virtual Events for the Summer
14 July, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21st, 2020
Contact: Kimberly Noelle Charles
Charles Communications Associates
press@charlescomm.com | (415) 701-9463
***MEDIA ALERT***
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. 2020 Communications Campaign for U.S. Audience
Virtual Events for the Summer
WHO: The Consorzio of vine-growers, winemaking companies and bottlers from Italy’s Conegliano Valdobbiadene region, was established to safeguard the standards of what eventually became the D.O.C.G. criteria in crafting wines of the highest quality and distinct provenance. Their mission is to increase the recognition of D.O.C.G. Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore and its nuanced, complex, world-class sparkling wines. The United States is the 4th largest importer of Prosecco Superiore, and the Consorzio hopes to further engage its loyal audience while introducing new sparkling wine lovers to the D.O.C.G. category.
The aim of the U.S. campaign, as always, is to educate the trade and public about everything Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. has to offer - regionality, authenticity, and high standards in winegrowing and winemaking. Understanding the nuances of high elevation winegrowing, regional variation between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, the typologies of the wines from the region on a dryness scale, the Martinotti method among many other production cues helps the gatekeepers in the trade share the tremendous selling points of the region, particularly with its great price to quality ratio.
Series of Master Classes – For Wine Trade Only
Past Events:
June 29th: Master Class on Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore hosted by Jon McDaniel via Zoom
July 20th: Master Class on Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore hosted by Anthony Giglio via Zoom
Upcoming Events:
WHERE: Please email kristen@charlescomm.com for seminar link. The class will be held via Zoom. Currently, the class is subscribed for samples, however trade are most welcome to join.
WHAT: Join Master Sommelier Alpana Singh for a one-hour Master Class on Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore presented on Zoom. You'll learn about the region, situated in the heart of the larger Prosecco DOC region in the Veneto, the different typologies and styles of Prosecco Superiore, and how these wines earn their DOCG status. Instructor Alpana Singh will focus on the single "crus" of Prosecco Superiore, including Rives, Cartizze and single-vineyard wines. This class will help you explain how Prosecco Superiore differs from Prosecco DOC and help you sell to your customers.
This free Master Class is presented by the Consortium of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore. The Consortium is able to provide samples to the first 30 people who sign up, but all are welcome to join!
WHEN: August 10, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. PST / 6:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: Please email kristen@charlescomm.com for seminar link. The class will be held via Zoom.
Happy Hours – For All to Enjoy
WHAT: Consumer-focused edutainment Happy Hours with noted author and TV personality and author Leslie Sbrocco. Take a “sipping trip” through the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore region, exploring the elements that set Prosecco Superiore apart, how Prosecco Superiore is enjoyed locally and what it might be like to visit one day!
WHEN: July 15th and July 29th. Airing on Instagram at 5:00pm PST/ 8:00pm EST and Facebook at 5:30pm PST/ 8:30pm EST
WHERE: @lesliesbrocco on Instagram and Facebook
Stay Tuned for Updates
About the Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G.
The Consorzio is a private body created to represent vine-growers, winemaking companies and bottlers from Conegliano Valdobbiadene and to safeguard the standards of what are now the D.O.C.G. criteria in crafting wines of the highest quality and distinct provenance. Their work is focused on three major areas: protection, promotion and sustainability. They improve sparkling production methods, provide assistance and training and supervise all stages of winemaking to guarantee the quality of this outstanding, Italian viticultural region. Prosecco Superiore exports to over 130 countries.
Created in 1969, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore was one of the first Italian appellations to earn D.O.C recognition, obtaining the D.O.C.G. status in 2009. These sparkling wines come from the historic area of Prosecco production, a unique, hillside terroir that was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Conegliano Valdobbiadene is situated in the northeast of Italy, between Venice and the Dolomites (at the foothills of the Alps), offering a mild, temperate climate ideal for grape growing, producing serious food wines with pairing versatility, showcasing a range of different styles, aroma and flavor characteristics.
Connect with the Consorzio on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or visit prosecco.it to learn more about the region and its sparkling wines.
About Charles Communications Associates
Founded in 2003, Charles Communications Associates, LLC (CCA) is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm based in San Francisco, California, that helps local and global companies create, build, and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective marketing firms in the wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural, and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. Please socialize with us @CharlesComm on Twitter, and @AlltheSwirl on Instagram and Facebook.
For interviews, imagery, or more information, please contact:
Kimberly Noelle Charles at Charles Communications Associates: press@charlescomm.com or (415) 701-9463.
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Viñedos Veramonte Announces New Design for its Portfolio of Wines
30 June, 2020
For Immediate Release Contact: Charles Communications Associates
press@charlescomm.com 415-701-9463
Viñedos Veramonte Announces New Design for its Portfolio of Wines
#VeramonteOrganic unveils stunning new package inspired by the property’s organic winegrowing practices
Casablanca Valley, Chile June 30, 2020– Eight years ago, the winemaking and vineyard teams at Viñedos Veramonte in Chile undertook an ambitious project to convert their substantial biodiverse land holdings in the Casablanca and Colchagua Valley to organic winegrowing practices. In the span of four years, they managed to transform the totality of their vineyards, now 1,235 acres to 100% organic farming. With the 2018 vintage, they released their first ECOCERT® certified wine on the U.S market, the Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc. With the 2019 vintage, a fresh new look kicks off #VeramonteOrganic debuting in the U.S. market this summer.
The stunning new package was designed by the Chilean-based firm Piano & Piano whose interpretation of the winery’s story is reflected with eye-catching, fresh design. The various label colors reflect the different grape varieties planted on the property intermixed with flora and fauna which contribute to healthy living soils through cover crops and a diverse agriculture. This design theme of a Biodynamic Cosmos was derivative of the influences and training from the gurus of organic and Biodynamic winegrowing practices who guided the Viñedos Veramonte team, namely the late Alan York and Chile’s Alvaro Espinoza. The winery’s marketing team translated this reverence for the land working closely with the Piano team to deliver a label reflective of the aliveness of the property and its wines. The label material was crafted from cotton not paper, reinforcing a full circle commitment to sustainability.
Known as #VeramonteOrganic going forward, other varieties in the Veramonte line follow suit beginning with the 2018 Pinot Noir and 2018 Carmenere followed by the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 Chardonnay. In Chile, there are roughly 5,000 hectares planted with organic grapes, which means approximately 10% of organic grapes in Chile are currently from Viñedos Veramonte. Certified organic has been one of the fastest growing Chilean wine categories in recent years, and #VeramonteOrganic is single-handedly changing perceptions of how such ethical wines can be produced accessibly and for a wider audience.
In 2018, winemaker Sofía Araya took over as Head Winemaker, receiving the reins from her renowned predecessor and mentor Rodrigo Soto. Together, they spent six years integrating the organic methods which would eventually lead to the ECOCERT designation from the French based international organic certification organization. All of Veramonte’s estates follow organic practices including; composting in the vineyards, cover cropping, preserving biodiversity, and utilizing sheep to help maintain the grass and soil. These practices are done with the intention of producing wines that are a snapshot of the vineyards, with resulting wines that show typicity of the varietal and the region.
Viñedos Veramonte is part of the Spanish based González Byass, a family-owned collection of wineries founded in 1835. Other Chilean brands in the portfolio include Ritual, Primus and Neyen. For more information on the U.S. importing arm Gonzalez Byass USA please visit https://www.gonzalezbyassusa.com/ Follow Vinedos Veramonte on Instagram @VeramonteWines.
For more information, images or interviews about Viñedos Veramonte please contact Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415 |701-9463.
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