Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association Announces May 17 Technical Conference Agenda Technical Conference to kick off 22nd Annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival May 17-19     Anderson Valley, CA, 10 April, 2019 – The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association is pleased to announce that this year’s Technical Conference will be held on Friday, May 17th 2019, the day before the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival Grand Tasting, at the beautiful Camp Navarro in northern Anderson Valley. The popular annual event will focus exclusively on Pinot Noir this year, featuring a day of educational seminars, vineyard-focused tastings, and much more, with a light breakfast and full lunch provided. Guests will have a chance to learn from winemakers, vineyard owners, wine educators and members of the wine media as they discuss Pinot Noir grape growing and winemaking.   Kicking off the region’s 22nd annual Pinot Noir Festival (which will take place May 17, 18 and 19), the agenda for this year’s Technical Conference has expanded to include an overview of the region from Wine & Spirits Magazine Editor, Patrick Comiskey and an Anderson Valley trade panel moderated by Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel. The latter session will be informed by experts from the marketplace, from the perspective of a restaurateur, retailer and distributor of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir.   Also new this year will be a self-guided walk around tasting of 2018 Pinot Noir from neutral barrels, which is part of a larger terroir study currently being undertaken in Anderson Valley. The day will wrap up with a roundtable discussion of regional mesoclimates through the lens of vineyard designates, led by several duos of winemakers and viticulturists.   Admission is $100 and includes breakfast and lunch with accompanying Anderson Valley wines. Tickets can be purchased here. The day’s full agenda is below:   2019 Pinot Noir Technical Conference Agenda 8:30 AM          Welcome 9:00 AM          State of Pinot Noir—American and Global Review 9:30 AM          Anderson Valley: History, Terroir & Geographical Overview w/Patrick Comiskey, Wine & Spirits Magazine <Break> 11:00 AM        Soil, Water and Climate Resiliency for Vineyards in the Navarro Watershed: A presentation by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC)   11:45 AM        G3 Diam cork presentation 12:00 PM        Lunch  1:00 PM          Walk around tasting of neutral barrel samples of Pinot Noir from 2018, grouped by region <Break>  2:15 PM          Barrel roundtable discussion led by winemaker/viticulturist duos 3:20 PM          Anderson Valley Trade Panel moderated by Nick Hetzel, MS 4:20 PM          Wrap   Attendees can stay in a variety of different accommodations at Camp Navarro, from teepees and tents to cabins. Hot showers, picnic tables and a rustic elegance provide a welcome respite for those who do not wish to drive. More information, as well as a full list of events and tickets for the full weekend festival, can be found at avpinotfest.com.   “We are excited about the expanded offerings of this year’s Technical Conference,” says Courtney DeGraff of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers “It’s always such an informative event, but we’re especially thrilled to have a focus on Pinot Noir through the lens of 2018 neutral barrels, as well as the expertise of both Patrick Comiskey and Nick Hetzel MS this year. We are looking forward to the education and discussions this additional content and focus will generate.”   About Anderson Valley The remote Anderson Valley, located less than 100 miles north of San Francisco, is an area blessed with a cool, temperate climate and a complex patchwork of ridges and foothills with well-drained sandstone soils. Cutting laterally through the coastal range rather than lying between ridges, the region is diminutive yet has a broad range of mesoclimates: the cool, west or “deep end” of the Anderson Valley is only a few miles from the cold Pacific Ocean, while the town of Boonville is some 20 miles to the east and sees more sunshine and heat hours. The planted acreage in the Anderson Valley consists primarily of the classic Burgundian varieties—Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—while Alsace varieties such as Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Riesling also play a significant role. The valley is also home to three world-renowned methode champenoise sparkling houses.    About the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (AVWA) is a not-for-profit trade group created in 1983 to promote the grapes and wines of the Anderson Valley winegrowing appellation. The AVWA is supported through the dues paid by its membership, generous sponsorships, and proceeds from the festivals and events the association produces each year.   Along with promoting the Anderson Valley as a viticultural region, we also work to build our community. To date over $400,000 has been donated to local community groups such as the Anderson Valley Health Center, Anderson Valley Housing Association, Anderson Valley Ambulance, the Anderson Valley Fire Department, as well as the Community Foundation of Mendocino County Disaster Fund for the most recent fire relief and recovery efforts. For more information on the AVWA, please visit www.avwines.com.   For press inquiries and images, please contact Courtney DeGraff of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association at courtney@avwines.com or 707.895.9463 or reach out to Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.   ###

                      Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association Announces  22nd Annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival May 17-19 Three-day wine event focuses on wines made from Pinot Noir grapes exclusively grown in Anderson Valley    Anderson Valley, CA, 4 March, 2019 – The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association is pleased to announce that the 22nd annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival will take place May 17, 18 and 19, 2019. Wine lovers are invited to sip, sample and savor Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (plus rose and sparkling wines) from more than 50 producers, enjoy mouth-watering food pairings by the region’s best chefs and local caterers, and listen to live music while bidding on exquisite auction lots for local charity.   The much-anticipated weekend’s events range from educational seminars to a live music BBQ, grand tasting, winemaker dinners and free winery open houses – all hosted amidst the spectacular beauty of Anderson Valley's vineyards and towering redwood trees. Music lovers will be happy to learn about an added bonus – this year Camp Navarro will host a concert on Saturday evening. The events have achieved a loyal following for being distinctively uncrowded and unpretentious, with an array of Pinot Noir styles that serve as the ideal introduction (or refresher course!) to the Anderson Valley.   “We could not be more thrilled to celebrate the 22nd annual Pinot Noir Festival,” says Kristy Charles, President of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association and Owner of Foursight Wines. “Our aim is that revelers will leave the festival with a deeper connection to our vineyards and an appreciation for the caliber of wines coming out of Anderson Valley.”   A full list of events can be found below, as well as at avwines.com/pinot-noir-festival.   Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival Lineup - Friday 5/17, Saturday 5/18, Sunday, 5/19: Friday Technical  Conference  (9:30am – 4:30pm) $100 Camp Navarro Attend a full day of educational seminars about winegrowing and winemaking. There are many winemakers who are spearheading the effort this year and it will be a Tech Session you don’t want to miss! Plan to taste wine from neutral barrel and have a lively discussion on vineyard microclimates + and selling AV in the marketplace. A light breakfast & full lunch is included. Friday night Casual BBQ  (5pm – 8pm) $60 Goldeneye Winery   Limited tickets left – already almost sold out! A delicious meal, stunning views and live music. Everyone is encouraged to bring a bottle of wine to share. It's an eat, drink, and boogie down kinda night! Saturday Grand Tasting (12pm – 4pm) $130   DD Tix $75 Camp Navarro   Bring friends, stay onsite or book in AV or the Coast – rooms are filling up! Taste world-class Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs from more than 50 producers beneath towering red woods. Savor perfectly paired foods designed to complement the exceptional Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley. Saturday Winemaker Dinners (6pm – 9pm) Varied Various locations Small & intimate dinners to be held throughout different restaurants within the valley, plus one on the coast!   Tickets on sale at noon, March 15th. Dinners sell out quickly! Saturday Buffet Dinner and/or Concert: Tracorum & The Real Sarah’s   Tickets open to non-PNF attendees! Concert Only $25   + Dinner = $55 Camp Navarro   Tentative schedule: Band 1: 5:00-6:15 Dinner: 6:00-7:30 Band 2: 7:30-10 Campfire: 10pm Tracorum & The Real Sarah’s performance under the redwoods. Stay onsite of the Grand Tasting & evening events! Cabins, yurts, tents & RV hookups available. Bring your own bedding and sleeping bag. Rentals for Camp Navarro overnight are typically $30 per person/bed, as required.  Sunday Winery Open Houses  (11am – 5pm) Complimentary Wineries Throughout Anderson Valley Stop at participating winery tasting rooms with the purple flags for a little extra wine tasting, more music, delicious bites, and special wine sale discounts. A great way to bookend the weekend before getting back to ... the real world...     Tickets are available for individual events as well as for weekend packages. Discounted ticket packages are available when booked together, and limited.  Winemaker dinners will be announced on Friday, March 15 at noon and often sell-out quickly. Sign up for the AVWA mailing list to be informed of event updates. Tent and cabin accommodations at Camp Navarro are available Thursday through Sunday on their website: campnavarropresents.com/anderson-valley-pinot-festival.   Event tickets are limited and will sell out, so early purchase is strongly recommended. For more information, please call 707.895.9463 or visit avwines.com/pinot-noir-festival.     About Anderson Valley Anderson Valley, located less than 100 miles north of San Francisco, is an area blessed with a temperate cool coastal climate. Classified in viticultural terms as a Region 1 growing area, this designates it as the coolest climate in which grapes may be commercially grown with any success. Cutting laterally through the coastal range rather than lying between ridges, the west or “deep end” of the Anderson Valley is only a few miles from the cold Pacific Ocean, while the town of Boonville is some 20 miles to the east. The combination of warm sunny days and cool foggy nights and mornings allow the grapes from this region to mature slowly and to develop to the height of their varietal character. The planted acreage in the Anderson Valley consists primarily of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling. There are also small acreages of other varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Merlot.    In addition to producing superb Pinot Noirs and Alsace varietal wines, the valley is home to three methode champenoisesparkling houses.    About the About the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (AVWA) is a not-for-profit trade group created in 1983 to promote the grapes and wines of the Anderson Valley winegrowing appellation. The AVWA is supported through the dues paid by its membership, generous sponsorships, and proceeds from the festivals and events the association produces each year.   Along with promoting the Anderson Valley as a viticultural region, AVWA also works to build its community. To date over $400,000 has been donated to local community groups such as the Anderson Valley Health Center, Anderson Valley Housing Association, Anderson Valley Ambulance, the Anderson Valley Fire Department, as well as the Community Foundation of Mendocino County Disaster Fund for the most recent fire relief and recovery efforts. For more information on the AVWA, please visit www.avwines.com.   For press inquiries and images, please contact Courtney DeGraff of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association at courtney@avwines.com or 707.895.9463 or reach out to Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.   ###