Cal Poly Pomona's Collins College Hosts Historic 26-Year Robert Mondavi Wine Vertical LOS ANGELES, February 27, 2025— The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona recently hosted an extraordinary fundraising event featuring a complete 26-year vertical tasting of Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon spanning 1982-2007. The exceptional experience, hosted at the prestigious Jonathan Club in Los Angeles, celebrated the College's long-standing relationship with the Mondavi family while offering guests a rare opportunity to appreciate California wine history through the lens of hospitality education. A Legacy of Connection The Collins College of Hospitality Management and the Robert Mondavi Winery have a relationship that spans more than three decades. Dean Margie Ferree Jones first connected with Robert and Margrit Biever Mondavi in 1991, when the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF)—championed by luminaries including Julia Child and the Mondavis—endorsed the school to host a student chapter. "When the Mondavis visited our campus alongside Julia Child, Robert shared his mission to encourage people to enjoy 'the good life'—a philosophy that has guided our approach to hospitality education ever since," recalled Dean Margie Ferree Jones. "Margrit even adorned students' menu cards with her charming doodles during that visit. Those personal touches highlighted the warmth that define gracious hospitality." The vertical tasting featured wines from the personal collection of Barry Bloom, a dedicated wine collector and hospitality leader who generously donated his complete vertical of Mondavi Reserve Cabernets to support the college's educational mission. "I began collecting in the late 1980s with the intention of creating complete verticals rather than only acquiring the acclaimed vintages," noted Bloom. "What made this tasting particularly special was experiencing the evolution of these wines across a quarter century. Each vintage tells a story about that particular season, the winemaking approach of that era, and the historical context." Bloom's collection, which spanned from 1982 to 2007, represented a significant period in California winemaking history. He intentionally concluded his collection with the 2007 vintage to mark Robert Mondavi's passing in 2008. The 26-year consecutive vertical proved remarkable even to Mondavi Brand Manager, Euming Lee and Director of Winemaking, Kurtis Ogasawara, in attendance, who observed they had never experienced a consecutive tasting of this length before. Dean Margie Ferree Jones of The Collins College of Hospitality Management emphasized the educational impact of such experiences. "Salon events such as this underscore our commitment to train the next generation of hospitality professionals, with an appreciation for the cultural significance paired with fine details of exceptional service.” The Jonathan Club's culinary team, led by Chef Andreas Roller and Sommelier Caitlin Stansbury, orchestrated an exquisite multi-course dinner intentionally designed to complement the flights of wine. The menu featured:   Sparkling Robert Mondavi "The Estates" 2021 with hors d'oeuvres Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras with blackberry gastrique, brioche, and yuzu, paired with Mondavi Reserve Cabernets from 1982-1987 California Squab with chanterelles, brussels sprouts, and red beet, accompanied by vintages from 1988-1993 Braised Lamb with black winter truffle, spinach cavatelli, and gremolata, complemented by vintages from 1994-2000 Snake River Farms American Wagyu Beef with watercress, charred onion, and parmesan, served with vintages from 2001-2007 Tarte Tatin with sugar bee apples and Tahitian vanilla chantilly, paired with Sauvito Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon 2018 The event was choreographed to coincide with the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) and drew participation from several members of Collins College Board of Advisors, alumni, and industry leaders. Eva Wasserman,  alumna and member of The Collins College of Hospitality Management’s Board of Advisors, shared " The Mondavi tasting was an extraordinary event  showcasing  the Collins College’s valuable connections with the industry and vast educational exposure available to the students." The Collins College of Hospitality Management continues its mission of inspiring future industry leaders through its experiential curriculum and practical experiences that bring theory to life. Rather than simply requesting financial support, the College is focused on creating meaningful engagement opportunities that align donors' values with tangible educational outcomes. The Collins College invites industry partners and supporters to join them at their annual fundraiser, Hospitality Uncorked, on March 22, where Bob Alter will be honored as the latest recipient of the Robert Mondavi Wine & Food Award—continuing a tradition that connects back to the College's early relationship with the Mondavi family. Attendees will have opportunities to interact directly with faculty and students, gaining insight into how their support translates to industry-ready graduates who carry forward Mondavi's vision of hospitality as a celebration of "La Dolce Vita."   About The Collins College of Hospitality Management The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona is consistently ranked among the nation's premier hospitality management programs. Following a "giving through" philanthropic model, the College creates engagement opportunities that connect donors directly with educational initiatives having measurable outcomes. This approach allows supporters to see the significant impact of their contributions while participating in unique hospitality experiences that demonstrate program excellence. The College provides students with a superior education and valuable connections to top hospitality companies worldwide. For interviews, images or more information, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates at kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415-701-WINE (9463)

Charles Symington is the New President of Primum Familiae Vini July 2, 2024 -   Each year, Primum Familiae Vini (PFV), an association of twelve prestigious families from the world of wine, appoints one of its members as President to oversee the association for the year and act as its representative at various events around the world.   This year, Charles Symington of the Symington Family Estates in Portugal succeeds Véronique Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin in France as PFV President for the period of July 2024 to June 2025.   Charles Symington states, "I am extremely honored to be taking over from my predecessors at Primum Familiae Vini and to support our twelve families who share the same values: the culture of excellence, love and respect for the earth and the terroir, and the powerful desire to remain family-run, independent businesses and transmit the heritage of our ancestors to the next generation.   These are particularly exciting times at PFV.  The last twelve months have been fruitful under Véronique Drouhin's leadership, with major advances on climate change issues within the technical committee.  Among initiatives that I would like to draw,  I will very shortly be proposing that the technical committee focuses on the evaluation of Artificial Intelligence in viticulture and winemaking, a subject of the future that will enable the new generations within the twelve families to contribute their knowledge and share it with our entire group."  About Primum Familiae Vini (PFV) Primum Familiae Vini is an invitation-only  organization of twelve of the world's most historic and lauded wine producers.   Their mission is to represent the highest level of excellence in the world of wine to be synonymous with both exquisite quality and sustainability; to blend family heritage and innovation and to be aspirational through their vision and passion.  www.pfv.org The Twelve Members of the PFV: Marchesi Antinori (Tuscany, Italy), Baron Philippe de Rothschild (Bordeaux, France), Maison Joseph Drouhin (Burgundy, France), Domaine Clarence Dillon (Bordeaux, France), Egon Müller Scharzhof (Mosel, Germany), Famille Hugel (Alsace, France), Pol Roger (Champagne, France), Famille Perrin (Rhône Valley, France), Symington Family Estates (Portugal), Tenuta San Guido (Bolgheri, Italy), Tempos Vega Sicilia (Ribera del Duero, Spain) and Familia Torres (Penedes, Spain).   Media contacts: United States   Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET                            Charles Communications Associates                          kcharles@charlescomm.com                                      415-730-0064                                                              Europe Guillaume Jourdan Vitabella info@vitabella.fr 33 (0)6 82 36 68 67

Master Sommelier Writes Definitive Wine-Tasting Guide for Professionals and Novices October 13, 2023 - Rio Rancho, NM – Master Sommelier Tim Gaiser has released an updated version of Message in the Bottle: A Guide to Tasting Wine (ISBN: 978-1955750479). The book is a valuable resource for professional tasters, as well as an outstanding guide for the casual enthusiast who wants to learn more about how to appreciate a glass of wine. Message in the Bottle is a compilation of Gaiser’s thirty-plus years of international wine-tasting and teaching experience. After working on the text for over ten years, Gaiser finally had the opportunity to put the manuscript together during the 2020 COVID pandemic. On release, the wine-tasting guide quickly surged to the top rankings on Amazon. “The original intent was to write something for “Jedi Knights in training,” as a colleague calls students in the wine certification programs,” Gaiser says. “However, a dear friend and fellow Master Sommelier colleague pointed out that once the book was released, consumers just getting into wine would also be interested it. I realized that I needed to make the text as user-friendly as possible." With that, Gaiser went back to the drawing board and rewrote all the chapters to include introductions and recommendations on how to use the information. The result is a comprehensive resource for the serious wine student, as well as a clear-cut guide for anyone who wants to learn the secrets of tasting wine. As Emily Wines, Master Sommelier and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas, states "For all of those who've struggled with the art and technique of blind tasting, this is the ultimate guide." Peter Marks, Master of Wine, agrees, stating “'Message in the Bottle'” should be another standard in anyone’s wine library along with “The Oxford Companion to Wine” and “The World Atlas of Wine.”  A Decanter Magazine review states that "this Guide to Tasting Wine compiles strategies and insights gained over more than 30 years of teaching and working as a sommelier. While many sections are aimed at helping sommeliers pass the tough MS exam, there are useful tools for wine novices through to those wanting to brush up on blind tasting skills." Somm Journal publisher, Meredith May, wrote, "Applying his three decades of experience in tasting, teaching, and writing, Gaiser divides and conquers concepts both objective and subjective. For those prepping for exams, Message in the Bottle may be one of the most valuable tomes in your arsenal." Beyond requisite skills, the Message in the Bottle includes an entire section on strategies for improving focus, concentration, and smell and taste memory—all using visualization. It also features a list of suggested producers for tasting practice, instructions for writing tasting notes and wine tech sheets, and a series of essays on wine, making it not only the go-to reference for aspiring sommeliers and wine professionals, but an enjoyable read about one of life’s greatest, most enduring pleasures. Message in the Bottle: A Guide to Tasting Wine was published by Networlding Publishing in December 2022 and is available in both eBook and paperback formats from major distributors. For more information, images, interviews, or review copies please contact tgaiser@earthlink.net. About Tim Gaiser, MS Tim Gaiser is an internationally renowned wine expert and lecturer. He is one of less than 300 individuals worldwide to ever attain the elite Master Sommelier title. He is the former Director of Education and Education chair for the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, and an instructor for the Napa Valley Wine Academy. Over his 30-plus year career, Tim has taught thousands of students in wines and spirits classes at every level as well as developing wine education programs for restaurants, winery schools and wine distributors. He has experience in all phases of the wine industry: online, wholesale, retail, winery, and restaurants. Tim has written for several publications including Fine Cooking Magazine and the Somm Journal and also writes for numerous wine and spirits clients. He has served as the author and lead judge for the Best Young Sommelier Competition and the Top Somm Competition. Prior to developing his wine expertise, Tim received an M.A. in Classical Music. He played classical trumpet as a freelance professional and as an extra with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. He currently lives with his family in New Mexico.