Big News
January 24, 2012
February 24 – March 19 – April 23
Portland, OR - Hand top chefs bottles of Oregon craft saké and ask them to prepare a multi-course meal paired with each. The catch? They must avoid the stereotypical Japanese/Asian fare and challenge themselves to step outside the usual and expected. It’s called Momokawa Supper Club and a series of dinners in 2011 created mind-altering experiences in New York, Los Angeles, Sonoma and Chicago. Now it’s time to bring it home, to Portland chefs.
Join Momokawa (brewed and bottled by SakéOne, Forest Grove, OR) and partner restaurants Wildwood, Andina and Saucebox for this uninhibited culinary adventure. Experience what Chefs Clark, Costello and Diestra create without restriction as they apply their talents in Northwest regional, Peruvian and fusion cuisines. Guests will get a saké education throughout each dinner as they learn about saké and what inspired the chefs to create their menus.
Reservations can be made with each restaurant independently. Seating is limited.
Cost: $55 per person/per restaurant + gratuity.
Time: 7:00 pm
Dates & Locations
February 24 - Wildwood Restaurant & Bar
1221 NW 21st Ave Portland, OR 97209
(503) 248-9663
March 19 - Andina Restaurant
1314 NW Glisan St Portland, OR 97209
(503) 228-9535
April 23 - Saucebox
214 Southwest Broadway Portland, OR 97205
(503) 241-3393
About SakéOne
SakéOne is America’s premium saké company and importer of some of Japan’s finest saké. Founded in 1992 as an importer, SakéOne has been crafting strictly junmai ginjo quality saké at its state-of-the-art kura (brewery) in Forest Grove, the heart of the Willamette Valley: Oregon’s craft beer-brewing and winemaking mecca, since 1998. In 2010, SakéOne’s Momokawa “Ruby” Junmai Ginjo earned a silver medal at the prestigious U.S. National Saké Appraisal 2010, no small feat for an American producer in a crowd of more than 300 Japanese entrants and a judging panel held to precise Japanese standards. Though SakéOne clearly honors tradition, their Oregonian pioneering spirit is constantly evolving and has truly come to define Oregon craft saké. For more information, please visit www.sakeone.com. For media inquiries, please contact Kristin Namimoto at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463.
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January 19, 2012
Livermore Valley, CA – This lineup of enticing upcoming events from Wente Family Estates offers many ways to celebrate the end of the winter season. Art showings, special tastings and family activities create opportunities to delight the tastes of every wine enthusiast.
Activities at Wente Family Estates from January through March, 2012 include:
January
Winter Barrel Tasting Weekend
January 21st & 22nd, 11am-4:30pm
Wente Vineyards Estate Winery Tasting Room
Wente Vineyards Vineyard Tasting Room
TAMÁS Estates Tasting Room
Murrieta’s Well Tasting Room
This winter, warm up with some of your favorite wines at our Winter Barrel Tasting Weekend. Sample wines directly from the barrel along with current vintages. Wine Club Members receive complimentary barrel tasting and reciprocal club benefits at Wente Family Estates tasting room properties.
Tastings are complimentary for Wine Club Members; $5 for all other guests
Artist Reception: Printmaking by Edmee Keele
January 2nd-26th
Estate Winery Tasting Room
Local artist Edmee Keele will be displaying her monoprints at the Estate Tasting Room. Come meet the artist and sip on some fabulous Wente Vineyards wines. Exhibit on display through Thursday, January 26.
February
Brittle Demonstration Class
February 4th, 10:30am-11:30am
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
Join us for a demonstration class taught by Pastry Chef Melissa Duesler at The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards. The class will be held in the Rotunda dining room. Space is limited. Entertainment Club Members get first priority until three weeks from class date. Call 925-456-2450 for reservations and pricing information.
Romance Wine & Chocolate
February 12th, 1pm and 4pm
Vineyard Tasting Room
Celebrate the month of romance and love with that special someone. Sit down and enjoy five decadent chocolate dessert and wine pairings carefully prepared and selected by Wente Vineyards at our annual Romance Wine & Chocolate Event. Learn how chocolate and wine can combine to create a romantic and sensual experience and listen to fun facts and trivia about the Valentine’s Day holiday, love and romance! This event continues to sell out so make your reservation early for this delicious and laughter filled event! Reservations required. To purchase tickets, call 925-456-2405.
Wine Club and Nth Degree Club Members $30; $35 for all other guests
Artist Reception: Oil Paintings by Alfredo Mordss
February 5th-29th
Estate Winery Tasting Room
Local artist Alfredo Mordss will be displaying his unique oil paintings at the Estate Tasting Room. Come meet the artist and enjoy the incredible wines by Wente Vineyards.
February Port & Chocolate Weekend Tastings
Every Saturday & Sunday in February, 11am-4:30pn
TAMÁS Estates Tasting Room
Come enjoy a new and special treat by TAMÁS Estates: a Port and chocolate pairing! TAMÁS Estates is now offering the tastings every Saturday and Sunday.
March
Curing 101 Demonstration Cooking Class
March 3rd, 10:30-11:30am
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
Join us for a demonstration class taught by The Restaurant Executive Chef Matt Greco. The class will be held in The Restaurant Rotunda dining room. Space is limited. Entertainment Club Members get first priority until three weeks from class date. Call 925-456-2450 for reservations and pricing information.
Artist Reception: Mixed Media by Sally Haig
March 4th
Estate Winery Tasting Room
Local artist Sally Haig will be displaying her mixed media art at the Estate Tasting Room. Come meet the artist and sip on some fabulous Wente Vineyards wines.
TAMÁS Estates Wine Club Release Party
March 10th, 12-2pm, 3-5pm and 6-8pm
TAMÁS Estates Tasting Room
Join the TAMÁS Estates Wine Club! New varietals by TAMÁS Estates will be available only to wine club members. Tastings of the new wines will be available throughout the day.
Livermore Valley Winegrower’s Barrel Tasting Weekend
March 31st and April 1st
Estate Winery Tasting Room
Taste wines right out of the barrel and discover what makes the Livermore Valley so unique. Each winery will host a unique experience during barrel tasting weekend including at least one barrel sample for every ticket holder. Ticket includes: a take home glass with the Livermore Valley Wine Country logo, two days of barrel tasting at participating wineries on Saturday & Sunday, special activities and wine discounts, and a Barrel Tasting Weekend map which includes all wineries that are participating. $30 in advance, $35 day of event. Call 925-447-9463 or click here to purchase tickets.
About Wente Family Estates
Wente Family Estates is comprised of Wente Vineyards, TAMÁS Estates, Murrieta’s Well, entwine and Hayes Ranch wineries; owned and operated by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. Wente Family Estates’ wines are sold in all 50 states and in over 70 countries worldwide. In 2010, the company received certification for its sustainability efforts with the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing designation. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was awarded American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. All of the wines within the Wente Family Estates portfolio are handcrafted by Fifth Generation Winemaker Karl D. Wente.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations. The property features wine tasting, world-class concerts, award-winning fine dining and championship golf. For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com.
For any interviews or media assistance, please contact Kristin Namimoto at press@charlescomm.com or 415-701-9463.
Helpful addresses:
Estate Winery Tasting Room | 5565 Tesla Road | Livermore, CA | 925.456.2305
Vineyard Tasting Room | 5050 Arroyo Road | Livermore, CA | 925.456.2405
Event Center at Wente Vineyards | 5050 Arroyo Road | Livermore, CA | 925.456.2405
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards | 5050 Arroyo Road | Livermore, CA | 925-456-2450
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January 17, 2012
Forest Grove, Oregon – The steady growth of premium saké continues, yet across the U.S. thousands of restaurants continue to pour generic saké both hot and cold. After years of working to perfect the art of brewing saké, America’s premium craft saké SakéOne announced today that they have designed a new by-the-glass pour program with intent to begin shifting restaurants to premium pours and profits. The restaurant-focused program features their core Oregon craft saké portfolio of Momokawa, as a recommended premium glass pour.
Based on average wholesale pricing, a four-ounce glass pour of Momokawa Diamond costs restaurants approximately $1.44. The standard cost for a glass of saké on a menu is $6.00 per glass, which accounts for $4.56 profit per glass- while accounting for spillage, restaurants can potentially make an almost $30 profit per bottle. This profit per bottle on a premium glass pour highlights a cost utilization that is both effective and efficient. The Momokawa Glass Pour Program allows accessibility to the true expression of premium sake without the high cost of imports or lower quality of the least expensive imports. Over the next three months, the Momokawa Glass Pour Program will be available to restaurants in NY and California to test the response and begin building awareness of this cost effective premium offering.
After years of being misunderstood in the West, saké has been experiencing a rebirth in the U.S. It has become increasingly common for premium saké to be featured regularly on wine lists and food pairing menus on the lists of the world’s most renowned sommeliers and beverage enthusiasts. At the SakéOne brewery in Forest Grove, OR, pioneering Sakémaster Greg Lorenz is constantly striving to improve and fine-tune the charm and nuances of his saké. Lorenz’s foundation for brewing saké is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition and technique, down to the equipment, process and ingredients. He is always mindful to manage the brewing process in a manner that gives Momokawa saké flavor profiles that are more in tune with the American palate while still retaining the rigorous standards of his teachers.
Japanese, Asian and Asian fusion restaurants are not the only restaurants recently embracing premium saké. Saké’s emerging frontier has included food pairings that highlight a more expansive array of universal flavors and cuisines. In 2011 Momokawa hosted a series of dinners around the country pairing the diverse portfolio with various cuisines (modern Mexican, molecular gastronomy and California coastal cuisine to name a few) to great critical acclaim by the media. Largely due to the diverse levels of acidity, alcohol, body and flavor, saké can truly work with spices, savory and sweet offerings. For the fullest appreciation of aroma and taste, premium saké is best served chilled about 55 degrees Fahrenheit- similar to white wine- to showcase its subtle and nuanced taste.
About SakéOne
SakéOne is America’s premium saké company and importer of some of Japan’s finest saké. Founded in 1992 as an importer, SakéOne has been crafting strictly junmai ginjo quality saké at its state-of-the-art kura (brewery) in Forest Grove, the heart of the Willamette Valley: Oregon’s craft beer-brewing and winemaking mecca, since 1998. In 2010, SakéOne’s Momokawa “Ruby” Junmai Ginjo earned a silver medal at the prestigious U.S. National Sake Appraisal 2010, no small feat for an American producer in a crowd of more than 300 Japanese entrants and a judging panel held to precise Japanese standards. In 2011, Momokawa took center stage at the San Francisco Wine Competition, winning awards across the board including the Double Gold Menu for Momokawa Organic Junmai Ginjo. Though SakéOne clearly honors tradition, their Oregonian pioneering spirit is constantly evolving and has truly come to define Oregon craft saké. For more information, please visit www.sakeone.com.
For media information and interviews, please contact Kristin Namimoto of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463.
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January 11, 2012
Livermore, CA – This past summer two American food and wine pioneers, top lifestyle television brand, Food Network, and world-class, family owned winery Wente Vineyards, collaborated to create entwine wines, a California portfolio of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Beginning in January, Wente Vineyards will offer visitors a special behind-the-scenes tour of its historic winery — located in California’s beautiful Livermore Valley — where entwine wines are produced, along with an exclusive tableside food and wine pairing experience.
The hour-and-a-half tour will be held on the third week of each month beginning Thursday, January 19, 2012. Weekday tours occur twice daily at 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., with one tour on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Pricing is $25 per person and includes a tour of the winery and winemaking facilities, specialized entwine and food pairings, and a 20% discount on all entwine and Wente Family Estates wines purchased the week of the tour. Advance reservations are required, with tour groups limited to 25 people. For more information, including how to book a tour, please visit www.entwine-wines.com/visit-us or call (925) 456-2306.
The initial inspiration for entwine came from viewers’ requesting their trusted food source, Food Network, to introduce them to the world of wine. Food Network partnered with Wente Vineyards because Wente not only makes great wine, they also have a deep connection to food, embodied in their vegetable garden and on-site restaurant. Wente Vineyards understood and valued what Food Network heard from viewers and wanted to collaborate to create a line of wines that would match viewers’ expectations.
Both Wente Vineyards and Food Network believe that wine can elevate the everyday to extraordinary, whether paired with a home-cooked meal, a favorite snack, or simply sipped on its own. “The entire Wente family is excited to partner with the culinary trailblazers at Food Network to create wines designed to enhance your favorite foods, from casual to festive occasions,” says Carolyn Wente, CEO of Wente Vineyards. “Our goal with these tours is to introduce Food Network fans and consumers across America to entwine, the winemaking process and the delicious marriage of food and wine.”
About Wente Vineyards
Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country; owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The winery draws from nearly 3,000 acres of Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. Wente Vineyards is distributed in all 50 states and in over 70 countries worldwide. In 2010, Wente Vineyards was among the first wineries to receive the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing designation, and one of the only wineries to certify every aspect of its business. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and a top 30 wine company by Wine Business Monthly. 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California. Today, nearly 80% of all California Chardonnays derive from the Wente clone.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, world class concerts, fine dining at the award-winning Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, and championship golf at the Greg Norman designed Course at Wente Vineyards. For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com.
About Food Network
FOOD NETWORK (http://www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers’ best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring and empowering through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and averages more than 9.9 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine has tripled its rate base and delivers a circulation of 1.4 million. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24 hour networks in Great Britain, India, Asia and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates HGTV (http://www.hgtv.com), DIY Network (http://www.diynetwork.com), Great American Country (http://www.gactv.com) Cooking Channel (http://www.cookingchanneltv.com) and Travel Channel (http://www.travelchannel.com), is the manager and general partner.
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December 6, 2011
Milan, Italy, - La Rei, the flagship restaurant at Il Boscareto Resort & Spa, the five-star luxury resort in Serralunga d’Alba-Cuneo, Italy, has been awarded its first Michelin Star in the 2012 Michelin Guide to Italy. La Rei joins a list of only 33 new restaurants in Italy that are honored with a star this year.
Executive Chef Shiqin Chen leads La Rei with an expert pedigree in Italian and Piemontese cuisine. Chen was groomed in the kitchens of likewise Michelin starred dal Pescatore under the guidance of Nadia and Giovanni Santini, and cultivated ten years of experience alongside Gian Piero Vivalda of Antica Corona Reale da Renzo in Cevere, Italy, who now consults for La Rei. Chen’s cuisine respectfully nods to traditional Piemontese fare while embracing innovation and creativity in its execution. His dishes focus on the beauty, quality, and authenticity of the ingredients available to him –beautiful white and black truffles, hazelnuts, rice baraggia bielo– and are inspired by the seasonality of the region. He oversees a kitchen of 15 young chefs, including up-and-comers Marlene Puddu, Giovanni Spegis, and Antonio Coffaro, each of exemplary culinary accomplishment.
This honor enriches La Rei’s legacy of awards in the culinary realm, which include: the 2010 Golosaria Award as Best Hospitality in the category of Italian Charme; the 2011 News of the Year Award from Guida L’ESPRESSO; 2011 Best Restaurant from Bibenda Guida; 2011 Corona Radiosa Best Restaurant in Cuneo from Guida Critica Golosa, and 2012 Best Sommelier in Italy honoring Cellarmaster Matteo Toso from Guida L’ESPRESSO.
About Il Boscareto Resort & Spa
Il Boscareto Resort & Spa is considered the jewel of one of the most precious areas of Piedmont, Italy: the Langhe. The resort is marked by its fine standard for well-being, celebrating peace and tradition without sacrificing the elegance and comfort of a luxury property. The hotel seeks to harmonize the modernity of its interior with the natural beauty of its landscape. La Rei, the flagship, Michelin starred restaurant of the resort, reflects this harmony via cuisine, and the Aveda certified spa, La Sovrana, seeks to help guests achieve this within the temple of their form. Il Boscareto Resort & Spa is part of Batasiolo SPA, which in addition operates Beni di Batasiolo winery and is led by proprietor Fiorenzo Dogliani. For more information please visit the website at: http://www.ilboscaretoresort.it.
For more information and media inquiries, please contact Emily Aschbrenner at Charles Communications Associates: emily@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.
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December 5, 2011
Purple Wine Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Mestas as National Sales Manager. The position is a promotion from Michael’s previous role with Purple Wine Company as Division Sales Manager for the Gulf, the Southeast and the Atlantic regions, where he was responsible for managing the sales team and all channels of business. Initially upon joining Purple Wine Company in 2008, he spearheaded the hiring and development of the company’s retail National Chain Account team and held direct responsibility for calling on several key national retail accounts. His contributions have played a key role in Purple Wine Company’s impressive distribution and volume growth.
 Michael Mestas, National Sales Manager An eighteen-year veteran of the wine industry, Michael’s professional experience is split evenly between wholesaler sales/sales management positions and winery representative positions. Prior to Purple Wine Company, Michael was responsible for North Texas sales for Republic National Distributing Company
In his new role, Michael will manage all day-to-day sales and distribution efforts for Purple Wine Company wine brands from his home base in the Dallas area, reporting directly to Ron Janowczyk, Senior Vice President, based at the company’s headquarters in Graton, California. With this appointment, Ron will now focus on strategic and financial planning, brand development and building the sales organization. “We are thrilled to have a person with Michael’s experience, business skills and integrity in this new role as our company continues to grow at a very fast pace,” commented Ron. “This move will allow us to build on our work of the past nine years, and assist us in moving our business to the next level as we reach the major milestone of one million case sales this year.”
About Purple Wine Company
Purple Wine Company was founded in 2001 by Derek Benham and is based in Graton, California. Its mission is to create wines of outstanding value, high quality and consistent style from vintage to vintage. The wines are produced by its sister production company, Sonoma Wine Company, using water and energy conservation practices while reducing green House Gas emissions. Current brands include: Mark West Pinot Noir, Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Bex Riesling, Rock Rabbi Sauvignon Blanc and Four Vines. For more information, please visit www.purplewine.com or contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.
November 7, 2011
Livermore, CA – Carolyn Wente, CEO and Fourth Generation Winegrower of America’s oldest continuously owned and operated winery, is pleased to announce that her family business has received the 2011 American Winery of the Year award from Wine Enthusiast magazine. Wente Family Estates is comprised of Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well and Tamás Estates as well as entwine, a partnership between The Food Network and Wente Vineyards. Known as the Wine Star Awards for the last 11 years, the magazine honors international wine personalities who have had great influence on the world of wine.
Wente Family Estates joins an esteemed group of winners this year including Restaurateur of the Year Michael Mina, Winemaker of the Year Bob Cabral of Williams Selyem, and Georg & Maximillian Riedel as Generations of Innovation, among others. Upon learning of the news, CEO Carolyn Wente stated, “This is really such a wonderful acknowledgement and recognition for the five generations of my family who have remained committed to the wine business. We all love what we do and my two brothers Eric and Phil and my niece and nephew Christine and Karl are individually helping to build our company into a strong, relevant and quality driven winery in the 21st century. We have built on the foundation laid by my great grandfather, Carl Wente, who came to this country as an immigrant in the late 19th century, to the Livermore Valley in 1883.”
This award comes at an auspicious time for the winery as 2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of Chardonnay coming to America. In 1912, Ernest Wente, son of founder Carl Wente, brought Chardonnay cuttings from Montpelier, France to California. His plantings and experimentation with the Chardonnay clone began a chapter in California wine history that continues today. Post Prohibition, Chardonnay plantings encompassed roughly 100 acres in California, and today nearly 100,000 acres are planted to Chardonnay and it is the top selling varietal in the country. Over 75% of the Chardonnay planted in California is derived from the Wente clone, making the Wente family integral in the development of wine culture for Americans.
As one of the top 30 wine companies in America several years running, Wente Family Estates has established itself as a unique company given that it is family-owned, and all of its fruit is estate grown and sustainably farmed. Due to the vision of CEO Carolyn Wente, the winery was also among the first to develop a wine country destination program when 25 years ago, Carolyn launched both an onsite fine dining restaurant, The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, as well as the renowned Concerts at Wente Vineyards. In 1998, the winery opened the Course at Wente Vineyards on property, an 18-hole championship course designed by Greg Norman. Blazing a trail that many would follow, Wente Vineyards made wine country more than just a casual stop by a tasting room to an entire wine country experience.
In 2008, on the occasion of their 125th anniversary, the Culinary Institute of America inducted Wente Vineyards’ founder Carl Heinrich Wente into the “Vintners Hall of Fame” as a “Pioneer.” In 2010, the winery was named both Winery of the Year by the California Travel Industry Association and received the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2010 California State Fair. Several generations of sustainability efforts were also recognized when Wente Family Estates became among the first wineries to attain Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing status for its business and winemaking practices in 2010. Also in 2010, the Course at Wente Vineyards became a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by the Audubon International Program, recognized for its commitment to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property as part of its holistic sustainability mandate.
With the Winery of the Year Award, Wente Family Estates is recognized in good company in the Winery of the Year category with previous recipients J. Lohr, Trinchero Family Estates and Concannon. The winners will be announced in the December 15th issue of Wine Enthusiast and a private ceremony honoring the awardees will be held at the New York Public Library on January 30, 2012.
About Wente Vineyards
Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest continuously operated family-owned winery. Today, Wente Vineyards is led by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. More than 128 years of committed stewardship to the land led to the development in the 1990s of Wente Vineyards’ Farming for the Future program, a system of sustainable viticultural practices designed to produce the best quality wines with the least environmental impact. This philosophy extends to all aspects of winery operations, where energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling and social responsibility are all integral to the culture.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, fine dining and championship golf. For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com.
About The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards is an accurate reflection of the entire Wente Vineyards experience: estate grown, family owned, sustainable. When guests visit The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, it is almost as if they have been invited into the Wente family dining room. Featuring ingredient-driven California Wine Country cuisine, recently appointed Executive Chef Matt Greco offers seasonal dishes sourced from the Vineyard’s magnificent herb and vegetable garden. With a wine list of 400 West Coast wines, The Restaurant provides guests with numerous wine pairing options for each dish. The Restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with brunch service on Sunday. The telephone number for reservations and information is (925) 456-2450 or online at www.wentevineyards.com. The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards is located at 5050 Arroyo Road in Livermore Valley, CA.
About The Concerts at Wente Vineyards
Fine wine and food, complemented by gracious, personal service, are the hallmarks of the Wente Vineyards concert experience. Concerts are held at the beautiful Wente Vineyards Restaurant and Event Center, located at 5050 Arroyo Road, in a picturesque valley a few miles south of the town of Livermore. Seating is in a terraced amphitheater surrounded by gardens, hillsides and tile-roofed winery buildings recreated in the style of old California. Patrons can choose either a four-course dinner in the award-winning The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, followed by reserved, stage-front seating, or a buffet-style dinner at tables of ten on the lawn. The intimate nature and the limited number of tickets sold guarantee that every seat offers guests an outstanding entertainment experience.
About The Course at Wente Vineyards
The Course at Wente Vineyards opened in July 1998. Designed by golfing great Greg Norman, the 18-hole championship course is a picturesque 7,181-yard, par-72, upscale, daily-fee golf course tucked away in the scenic, rural Livermore Valley, 50 minutes east of San Francisco. With three distinct topographies – native woodlands, mature vineyard and rolling hills of natural grasslands – The Course at Wente Vineyards offers extraordinary visual panoramas and a diversity of play unmatched in the Bay Area. Additionally in early 2010 and then again in 2011, the Course received the prestigious Audubon Certification in recognition of maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas throughout the course. For tee times call 925-456-2425 or visit online at www.wentegolf.com. The Course is located at 5040 Arroyo Road in Livermore, CA.
About Murrieta’s Well
Murrieta’s Well is a Livermore Valley wine estate defined by its distinctive blended wines, stunning location, and a rich heritage that began in California’s Gold Rush era. In 1990, Fourth Generation Winemaker Philip Wente and Winemaker Sergio Traverso merged old and new winemaking styles, reviving the historic winery originally established by Livermore Pioneer Louis Mel. Set in the heart of the Livermore Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), Murrieta’s Well is located 40 miles east of San Francisco. The site is located on a natural water source at the base of the Arroyo Mocho where the legendary gold rush era bandito Joaquin Murrieta is known to have frequented the artesian well in front the winery. It is for him that the winery is named.
About Tamás Estates
Founded in 1984, Tamás Estates is part of the Wente Family Estates portfolio, sharing in the family’s 128-year commitment to fine winemaking and land stewardship. Sourced from the Wente family’s estate vineyards in the Central Coast appellation, the wines of Tamás Estates are food friendly, delicious and offered at price points that allow for everyday enjoyment. The core portfolio includes Pinot Grigio, Zinfandel and Double Decker Red with wine club only offerings as well.
For more information, interviews and imagery please contact Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or Kimberly Charles at press@charlescomm.com.
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October 31, 2011
Livermore Valley, CA – 2011: This lineup of enticing upcoming events from Wente Vineyards offers many ways to celebrate the fall and winter season. Art showings, special tastings and family activities create opportunities to delight the tastes of every wine enthusiast.
Activities for November through December include:
November
Winemaker’s Dinner
November 3rd from 6 – 9 p.m.
Vineyard Tasting Room
Enjoy fine food and wine with Fifth Generation Winemaker Karl Wente. The gourmet four-course meal with accompanying wine pairings present a memorable and delectable opportunity to experience the finest expressions in food and wine pairings by Wente Vineyards. Vegetarian option also available. Call 925-456-2405 to reserve a space, reservations required.
Artist Reception: Watercolors by Charlotte Severin
November 6th from 1 – 3 p.m.
Estate Winery Tasting Room
Local artist Charlotte Severin will be displaying her watercolor paintings at the Estate tasting room. Come meet the artist and sip on some fabulous Wente Vineyards Wines. Exhibit on display through November 30th.
Holiday Preview
November 25th, 26th, & 27th from 11 – 4:30 p.m.
Estate Winery Tasting Room & Vineyard Tasting Room
Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping and entertaining ideas! Enjoy a fun and relaxing weekend at Wente Vineyards and get a chance to browse new holiday merchandise, stock up on holiday favorites, and pick up gifts for friends and family, all while you sample your favorite Wente Vineyards wines. You can also “build your own basket” and we’ll have it ready for you to take home for the perfect holiday gift. The majority of proceeds will go to the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
Thanksgiving Take Home Dinner
Pick up November 23rd
Feeding six generously, the Thanksgiving menu showcases a traditional holiday dinner including succulently prepared dishes with simple finishing instructions to follow at home. Pick up your meal onsite the day before Thanksgiving for $249, and spend the day around the table – instead of the kitchen. Limited availability. Order online or call 925-456-2444.
December
Holiday in the Vineyards
December 3rd & 4th from 12 – 5p.m.
Estate Winery Tasting Room
An open house at our Livermore wineries celebrates the season by sharing the joy of special wines, crafts, music and more! Award-winning wines are offered along with gourmet foods, barrel tasting, and special holiday treats. Photo with Santa, Sunday only from 1-3 pm.
Gingerbread House Building Workshop
December 3rd & 4th from 11 – 12:30p.m.
Event Center at Wente Vineyards
Join us for the Gingerbread House Building Workshop where everything is provided for you to decorate and create a delicious holiday centerpiece. Kids of all ages are welcome (must be accompanied by an adult). Tickets are for sale to Club Wente entertainment members on 10/15/11 and to the general public beginning on 11/15/11. Prices: Minimum $99, for a pair of tickets with one gingerbread house
$59 for additional single ticket(s) with gingerbread house
$19 for additional observer ticket(s), limit two per group.
Artist Reception: Printmaking by Edmee Keele
December 11th from 1 – 3p.m.
Estate Winery Tasting Room
Local artist Edmee Keele will be displaying her printmaking at the Estate Tasting Room. Come meet the artist and sip on some fabulous Wente Vineyards Wines. Exhibit on display through January 26th.
Holiday Take Home Dinner
Pick up December 23rd
Take home a Holiday Dinner prepared by our chefs from our kitchen to yours, making holiday entertaining incredibly easy! This holiday take-home dinner includes seven dishes with a choice of dry-aged certified Angus Prime Rib ($279) or Pan Seared Salmon ($239). Pick it up onsite December 23rd. Limited availability. Order online or call 925-456-2444.
About Wente Vineyards
Named a Top 30 wine company by the 2011 Wine Business Monthly, Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest continuously operated family-owned winery. Today, Wente Vineyards is led by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. More than 125 years of committed stewardship to the land has led to the development of Wente Vineyards’ Farming for the Future program, a system of sustainable viticultural practices designed to produce the best quality wines with the least environmental impact. This philosophy extends to all aspects of winery operations, where energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling and social responsibility are all integral to the culture.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, fine dining and championship golf. For more information, please visit www.wentevineyards.com.
For any interviews or media assistance, please contact Kristin Namimoto at press@charlescomm.com or 415-701-9463.
Helpful addresses:
Estate Winery Tasting Room | 5565 Tesla Road | Livermore, CA | 925.456.2305
Vineyard Tasting Room | 5050 Arroyo Road | Livermore, CA | 925.456.2405
Event Center at Wente Vineyards | 5050 Arroyo Road | Livermore, CA | 925.456.2405
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October 18, 2011
Bar Bambino Offers Diverse Catering and
Event Offerings This Holiday Season
This holiday season, Bar Bambino is highlighting its catering features to help lighten up the demanding holiday work load. To make the holidays less stressful, they’ve enhanced their already established offerings that suit any holiday gathering, simple or detailed. They include:
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Holiday Party Package
For a leave-it-all-to-us holiday fête, Bar Bambino offers their Holiday Party Package that includes luxury transportation from the office and back, a sparkling wine reception upon arrival, and a sumptuous multi-course wine-paired European-style lunch or dinner. Pricing for this all-inclusive package starts at $170 per person and is sure to be a memorable holiday treat highlighting the refined rustic cuisine, style and service for which Bar Bambino is famed. |
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Private Dining
Give the gift of rustic elegance this year with a night of award-winning cuisine and extraordinary wine in a stunning location. Book a lovely and semi-private table for a multi-course wine paired dinner, or rent out the newly renovated patio for a holiday happy hour or dinner for up to 20 of your friends or colleagues. For larger events, such as a corporate holiday party, the entire restaurant is available for a private celebration. |
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Bar Bambino Catering
Bar Bambino offers a catering service that is perfect for office or home gatherings. Whether your preference is serving simply delicious platters of salumi and formaggi or a range of Bar Bambino’s inspired hors d’oeuvres paired with sophisticated wine selections, Bar Bambino’s event planning professionals can assist with event design, budgeting, planning and execution. |
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Box Lunches
Bar Bambino’s popular take away gourmet lunches are a perennial favorite. These great value, all-in-one gourmet lunches can be delivered anywhere in San Francisco. A great way to treat hard-working office staff, deserving clients, or just people with whom you want to enjoy great food and company. Bar Bambino’s box lunches are beautifully packaged in environmentally sensitive materials and include a seasonally inspired sandwich, salad, and dessert. |
For more information and reservations please call Bar Bambino at 415.701.VINO (8466) or email events@barbambino.com or visit their website www.barbambino.com.
For media inquiries, interviews or images, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415 701 9463.
September 26, 2011
Fifth Generation Winemaker Karl Wente Releases Fifth Vintage of Wine and Music Pairings
LIVERMORE, CA – September 2011 – Karl Wente and Wente Vineyards continue to showcase their commitment to the synergies between wine and music with the release of their fifth annual emerging artist program: Discover the Wine, Discover the Music (DWDM). DWDM began five years ago when Fifth Generation Winemaker Karl Wente decided to blend his love for fine wines with independent original music. Every year Karl pairs six up-and-coming indie artists’ singles with six of his Estate grown wines to create a new “vintage.” The DWDM fifth vintage of emerging artists went live on September 1, 2011.
“Pairing wines and songs is an incredibly fun task,” says Karl Wente. “To be present with six cool songs and six wines while drawing parallels between the structures, melodies, acidity, tannins, percussion, and bass line. Is it major or minor? Light or heavy? Following the instrumentation of the song as it parallels the flavors and aromas of the wine and uncovering why these synergies exist is such a complex but rewarding process.”
Karl Wente holds a strong belief that great wine and good food should be paired with original music and shared with friends. This is evident in Wente Vineyards’ ongoing support of the independent music scene and their active participation in events like SXSW, Noise Pop, Big Noise in the Neighborhood and MUSEXPO. In addition, Karl Wente along with San Francisco’s leading alternative rock radio station LIVE 105, recently hosted Wente Vineyards’ BottleRockIt Music Festival on September 10, 2011, which brought masses of music enthusiasts to Wente Vineyards’ Estate winery in the Livermore Valley. Attendees enjoyed a day of great music, food, wine and sunshine where over 20 bands, including Givers, The Holdup, Dirty Vegas, and A B & The Sea, performed on three separate stages.
Karl’s DWDM experience has a fully integrated approach with in-market materials including bottle neckers, posters, case cards and check stuffers. All materials drive consumers to the DWDM website, where visitors are given the opportunity to download free tracks from the featured artists and learn more about each of the paired Wente Vineyards wines. Additionally, the program sponsors a sweepstakes, in states where legal, where a winner is selected to bring themselves and a guest out to Wente Vineyards to see a concert of their choice at the heralded Concerts at Wente Vineyards, which celebrated its 25th Anniversary this year. This year’s Vintage 5 pairings will be available on the DWDM website beginning September 1, 2011 and will run until Vintage 6 starts next September. The pairings are as follows:
- The Head and the Heart’s “Lost in my Mind” paired with the Riva Ranch Chardonnay. Unapologetically American – rich and delicate at the same time.
- Phantogram’s “When I’m Small” paired with the Small Lot GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre). Karl Wente notes that Syrah is like funky guitar/primal surf, Mourvedre is an exotic, untamed, old school, low-fi, earthy funk, and Grenache is the dreamy, sugary quality of the vocals.
- The Belle Brigade’s “Losers” paired with the Sandstone Merlot. Sweet and dark with certain spiciness.
For more information on the Vintage 5 artists/wine pairings and the Discover the Wine Discover the music program, visit www.wentevineyards.com/discover.
About Wente Vineyards
The country’s oldest continuously operated family-owned winery; Wente Vineyards is led today by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. More than 125 years of committed stewardship to the land has led to the development of Wente Vineyards’ Farming for the Future, a system of sustainable viticulture practices designed to produce the best quality wines with the least environmental impact. This philosophy extends to all aspects of winery operations, where energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling and social responsibility are all integral to the culture.
All of the wines within the Wente Vineyards portfolio are Estate Grown, crafted by Fifth Generation Winemaker, Karl Wente from Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco appellations. Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, fine dining and championship golf. For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com.
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