Big News

Seghesio Family Vineyards offers guests the opportunity to dine and savor its wines at their source — among the vines of the historic properties where they’re grown — as part of its new Chef’s Summer Dinner Series. These dinners, hosted by members of the Seghesio family, continue the winery’s long tradition of sharing wine and food among friends. Guests will be shuttled from the winery to these treasured sites to enjoy special wines from the Seghesio library and seasonal menus prepared by Executive Chef Peter Janiak, formerly of San Francisco’s Boulevard and Presidio Social Club.

Chef’s Summer Dinner Series

Passalacqua Ranch/San Lorenzo, Alexander Valley – Saturday, June 9th
Hosted by Winegrower Pete Seghesio and Uncle Fred Passalacqua
The inaugural dinner series will kick off at the oldest site of the Seghesio farms. Guests will enjoy Chef Peter’s menu with Seghesio’s first vintage of Muscat Canelli and a flight of Old Vine Zinfandels while surrounded by beautiful century-old, head-pruned vines.

Westphall Ranch, Rockpile AVA – Saturday, July 14th
Hosted by Winegrower Pete Seghesio
The second dinner will take place in one of California’s newest and most exciting appellations, Rockpile, situated on a narrow ridgetop with breathtaking views of Lake Sonoma. The winery’s limited-production Arneis and a flight of Rockpile Zinfandels will complement Chef Peter’s menu.

Rattlesnake Hill at Home Ranch, Alexander Valley – Saturday, August 11th
Hosted by Winemaker Ted Seghesio
The series finale will be at Home Ranch, the birthplace of Seghesio Family Vineyards and the home of America’s oldest Sangiovese vines. Chef Peter’s menu, served atop Rattlesnake Hill overlooking Alexander Valley, will be paired with Seghesio’s first release of Vermentino, along with the Home Ranch Zinfandel, Aglianico and a flight of Venom Sangiovese.

The Chef’s Summer Dinner Series will be limited to 50 guests per event. Tickets are $200 per person and $175 for Centennial Club members (two per membership). A limited number of tickets will be available to Visa Signature cardholders at $175 per ticket. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.seghesio.com/NewsandEvents/Events/ChefsDinnerSeries or call (707) 433-3579, ext. 109.

Other culinary offerings:
Seghesio Family Vineyards offers several other wine and food experiences throughout the year, including its popular weekend Family Tables and annual Zinfandel & BBQ Festival:

New season of Family Tables
Now in their seventh year, Seghesio’s Family Tables are considered by many a “must do” in Sonoma wine country. These private tastings allow guests to enjoy wine the way it was intended, around a table with food and friends. Each Family Tables experience begins with a tour of the historic winery before moving to private tasting rooms overlooking the century-old cellar. A seasonal menu of recipes from the Seghesio family and Executive Chef Peter Janiak is paired with a special selection of library wines.

Family Tables are offered Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Presidents Weekend in February through Thanksgiving. The cost is $50 per person and $35 for Centennial Club members (two per membership). For more information or reservations, please visit www.seghesio.com/wineandfoodpairing or call (707) 433-3579.

Ninth Annual Zin & BBQ Festival – Saturday, July 28th  
Pete Seghesio and the Blaze Pit Crew will put their famous ribs up against the barbecue of two of the best in the business — reigning Memphis in May champion Chris Lilly and Dr. BBQ. Guests will choose the champion in this annual showdown, showcasing some of America’s best barbecue and a stellar lineup of Seghesio Zinfandels. Seghesio’s barbecue tradition began 10 years ago, when Pete Seghesio met Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson’s at Memphis in May, the world’s largest barbecue competition. Inspired by what he saw, Pete headed out to Kansas City to bring back Blaze, a custom-built Jedmaster smoker. Upon his return to the winery, Pete invited Chris and Dr. BBQ to come teach him the tricks of the trade, and thus the Zin & BBQ Festival was born.

Chris Lilly has won 11 World Barbecue Championships and is recognized as one of the top pitmasters in his field. Dr. BBQ has won numerous barbecue awards and published six cookbooks, and he frequently appears as an expert judge at major barbecue events across the nation.

Seghesio’s Zinfandel & BBQ Festival will be held Saturday, July 28th from noon to 4 p.m. at the winery in Healdsburg, CA. Tickets are $75 per person and $60 for Centennial Club members (two per membership). For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.seghesio.com/NewsandEvents or call (707) 433-3579, ext. 109.

About Seghesio Family Vineyards
Founded in 1895, when Edoardo Seghesio planted his first Zinfandel vineyard in Sonoma County, Seghesio Family Vineyards produces critically acclaimed wines that honor the history of Sonoma and the Seghesio family. Collected over a century, Seghesio’s 300 acres in preeminent growing regions — the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys — represent some of the oldest vineyards and proprietary clones. True to Edoardo’s vision, Seghesio produces Zinfandel and Italian varietals. The winery offers daily tastings and weekend wine pairings with Seghesio family recipes. For more information, visit www.seghesio.com.

For media inquiries, images and interviews please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at 415-701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.

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Healdsburg, CA – Seghesio Family Vineyards has appointed Ned Neumiller as the winery’s Head of Grower Relations. Neumiller, the great-great-grandson of founder Edoardo Seghesio, and nephew of Winemaker Ted Seghesio, was raised among the family’s vineyards in Sonoma County. He has years of experience dating back to the late 1990s when he worked alongside his father, Jim Neumiller, the winery’s vineyard manager since 1992.

Ned Neumiller began his career with Bevill Vineyard Management, one of Sonoma County’s top vineyard management companies specializing in sustainable vineyard practices. At Bevill, Neumiller learned the trade from the bottom up, starting as a workhand, driving night harvesters and tackling anything that needed doing for the team. He was quickly promoted to data programming and vineyard management. Most recently, Neumiller was involved in agricultural and vineyard equipment sales.

Neumiller represents the fifth generation of his family to carry on the tradition, which began when Edoardo Seghesio planted Zinfandel in Alexander Valley in 1895. In addition to his father and uncle, he joins his cousin Pete Seghesio, the winery’s winegrower; his uncle David Seghesio, who is in charge of operations; and his grandfather Ed Seghesio, who, at the age of 86, still runs the crushpad at harvest and welcomes guests at the winery’s tasting room in Healdsburg. Neumiller’s breadth of knowledge in vineyard management and operations, coupled with his desire to continue his family’s rich winegrowing tradition, makes him a valuable addition to Seghesio Family Vineyards. “I look forward to working with my uncle, Ted, and cousin, Pete, and bringing a fresh outlook to the family business where our goal remains to produce great wine,” Neumiller said.

About Seghesio Family Vineyards
Founded in 1895, when Edoardo Seghesio planted his first Zinfandel vineyard in Sonoma County, Seghesio Family Vineyards produces critically acclaimed wines that honor the history of Sonoma and the Seghesio family. Collected over a century, Seghesio’s 300 acres in preeminent growing regions — the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys — represent some of the oldest vineyards and proprietary clones. True to Edoardo’s vision, Seghesio produces Zinfandel and Italian varietals. The winery offers daily tastings and weekend wine pairings with Seghesio family recipes. For more informaiton, visit their website at http://www.seghesio.com/.

For media inquiries, images and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at 415-701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.

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Stag’s Leap District, Napa Valley, CA –  Crimson Wine Group (CWG) has announced the appointment of Mike Cekay to the position of Senior Vice President, Global Sales for the estate-focused portfolio of luxury domestic wine brands including  Archery Summit (Willamette Valley, OR), Chamisal Vineyards (Edna Valley, CA), Pine Ridge Vineyards (Stag’s Leap District, CA) and Seghesio Family Vineyards (Dry Creek Valley, CA.) Reporting directly to CEO Erle Martin, Cekay’s appointment underscores the commitment to building a strong sales infrastructure as the company matures, expanding its domestic and export market potential exponentially.

Commencing Monday, April 16^th, Cekay, based in Chicago, IL will oversee five regional managers and one export manager as well as three account managers located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Metro New York City and Shanghai.  With a goal this year of selling 250,000 cases across the portfolio, Cekay’s appointment marks a strategic juncture in the company’s evolution.

Over the past 18 years, Cekay has gained a breadth of experience in sales and distributor management having worked in U.S. cruise ship sales, as trade marketing manager for Allied Domecq Duty Free Americas, On Premise National Account Director for Allied Domecq Wines USA, DVP-Central Region at Beam Wine Estates, VP of Off-Premise National Accounts for Future Brands, LLC and most recently Executive Vice President and Global Sales Manager for Don Sebastiani & Sons where he was responsible for delivering $100 million of gross revenue.  His extensive sales management experience both domestically and internationally coupled with strong trade marketing skills and a passion for the luxury wine market make him a sound fit with Crimson.

Of his appointment, CEO Martin states, “Following an outstanding year in 2011 for our business, including the integration of the Seghesio Family Vineyards wines into our luxury portfolio, Crimson was poised to take the next logical step in terms of a global sales focus.  Mike’s qualifications and cross-functional experience will bring a strong asset to our team.”

The search was conducted by the executive search firm, The Cypress Group of Napa Valley.

About Crimson Wine Group
The Crimson Wine Group is a leading company in the luxury domestic wine business, with five coveted brands and over 700 planted acres in five growing regions and 11 outstanding AVAs across California, Oregon and Washington. Representing over 250,000 cases within the higher-end price segments, Crimson focuses on estate-grown wines from producers that represent the best their appellation has to offer.  The portfolio is a diverse collection, across both varietals and appellations, of top quality wines for the marketplace which are thoughtfully stewarded by the company’s team.

For media inquiries, headshots or interviews please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates, press@charlescomm.com or 415/701-9463.

San Luis Obispo, CA – Chamisal Vineyards announced this month their inaugural support of The Fender Music Foundation (FMF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources to music programs across the United States.

From August to October 2012, a portion of the sales of Chamisal Vineyard wines at retail and in fine restaurants will assist FMF in awarding grants to a variety of music programs for both children and adults, including music therapy programs, school-based programs, and independent after-school music training. Chamisal Vineyards’ donation will also help FMF award instruments and equipment to grant recipients, giving more individuals equal access to a musical education.

About The Fender Music Foundation
The Fender Music Foundation was created with the belief that music participation is an “essential element in the fabric of an enduring society.” It has made a commitment to supporting music education since 2005, providing assistance at a time when existing programs could use the much-needed boost. Through media initiatives and collaborations with other music-based organizations throughout the country, the FMF has helped over 150,000 people to date.
Visit www.fendermusicfoundation.org to learn more about supporting the cause.

About Chamisal Vineyards
Planted in 1972, Chamisal is the oldest existing vineyard in the Edna Valley appellation of California’s Central Coast located half-way between San Francisco and Los Angeles.  Chamisal Vineyards Winery currently produces handcrafted, sustainably grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Grenache and Pinot Gris. Its 80 acre estate with 25 clones of 5 varietals gives winemaker Fintan du Fresne’s a broad palette with which to create complex, harmonious flavor profiles.
For more information on Chamisal Vineyards, please visit www.chamisalvineyards.com. For media inquiries, images and interviews please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at 415-701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com

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Napa Valley, CA: Pine Ridge Vineyards announced today the relaunch of its Buy a Bottle, Plant a Treecampaign in partnership with American Forests. For the months of April through June of 2012, for every bottle of Chenin Blanc + Viognier purchased, Pine Ridge will donate $1 to American Forests to plant a tree, up to 5,000.

“We at Pine Ridge Vineyards are thrilled to partner with American Forests again this year. Stewardship of the land is one of our core values and we have a responsibility to preserve it. This campaign provides us with a unique opportunity to make a greater ecological contribution- not just here in the Napa Valley but also through American Forests’ global reach,” says Winemaker and General Manager Michael Beaulac.

The Buy a Bottle, Plant a Tree campaign was born out of Pine Ridge Vineyards’ commitment to preserving the environment and recognition of the importance of trees in the overall health of the global community. As reported by American Forests, healthy trees reduce the buildup of greenhouse gases, contribute significantly to energy savings and improved air quality, help improve water quality and reduce storm water flows. Studies have shown that every $1 invested in urban trees results in $2-4 in benefits from lowered energy costs, reduced storm water flows, improved aesthetics, higher air quality and reduced carbon dioxide concentrations.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Pine Ridge Buy a Bottle, Plant a Tree program for a second year,” says Scott Steen, CEO of American Forests. “Once again, this collaborative partnership will help us restore vital ecosystems by planting trees in endangered forests through our Global ReLeaf program (http://www.americanforests.org/our-programs/global-releaf-projects/.) These efforts will ultimately improve air and water quality, as well as provide vital wildlife habitat.”

Any purchase of Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viogner in stores, restaurants and online will contribute to the Plant a TreeProgram. The program will be promoted through the winery’s social media sites, including Facebook, (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pine-Ridge-Vineyards/337472802022) and Twitter (@pineridgewine) as well as to customers who purchase wine online at store.pineridgevineyards.com. Marketing materials will feature a QR code that points consumers to a Facebook Causes page where they can make a direct donation to American Forests.

About Pine Ridge Vineyards
With meticulous attention to detail and a knowledge developed over 30 years of continuity, Pine Ridge Vineyards produces wines that showcase 200 acres of premier estate vineyards across five renowned appellations in the Napa Valley. Since its founding in 1978, the winery has specialized in Cabernet and other Bordeaux-style red wines as well as handcrafted Chardonnay. For more information on Pine Ridge Vineyards and Chenin Blanc + Viognier please visit www.pineridgevineyards.com. For media inquiries, images and interviews please contact Kristin Namimoto of Charles Communications Associates at 415-701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.

About American Forests
American Forests restores and protects urban and rural forests.  Founded in 1875, the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the country has served as a catalyst for many of the most important milestones in the conservation movement, including the founding of the U.S. Forest Service, the national forest and national park systems, and literally thousands of forest ecosystem restoration projects and public education efforts.  Since 1990, American Forests has planted nearly 40 million trees in forests throughout the U.S. and beyond, resulting in cleaner air and drinking water, restored habitat for wildlife and fish, and the removal of millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Learn more at www.americanforests.org.

Pine Ridge Unveils New Design and Image for ForeFront Wines

Napa, CA-  Pine Ridge Vineyards revealed today a new design for ForeFront by Pine Ridge, its companion brand featuring innovative, open-sourced vineyard and varietal blends. The new look is boldly modern with a sophisticated edge to match the fine wines.

Rooted in tradition but forward thinking, the ForeFront brand takes a modern and adventurous approach to winemaking, crafting wines of exceptional quality and distinctive style.  ForeFront wines are unique blends sourced from a variety of exceptional appellations throughout California and Oregon.  Contemporary winemaking techniques are employed with the goal of creating luscious, approachable, and intriguing wines. The brand also experiments with unusual varietal blending, such as including a

dose of richly textured Syrah in its Cabernet Sauvignon. Open sourcing makes it possible to harness the diverse flavors found throughout California’s varied appellations at price points that appeal to wine lovers at any budget.

Pine Ridge maintains the same standards for excellence in its ForeFront wines as it does in its higher-tiered estate wines.  The new ForeFront iconic logo alludes to the brand philosophy of combining the best fruit, regardless of appellation. The new package will appear on the recently released 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2010 Pinot Noir.

Pine Ridge produces wines that have a distinguished reputation for capturing the unique qualities of their corresponding appellations within the Napa Valley. ForeFront builds on this tradition, extending the range of possibilities to Sonoma County, the Willamette Valley, Lake County, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Since its founding in 1978, the winery has committed to produce quality wines with forward-thinking techniques—hence the name ForeFront.

Pine Ridge Launches ‘Buy a Bottle, Feed a Family’ Program to
Support Hunger Relief in Local Communities
“Buy a bottle, feed a family” will run this holiday season

Napa, CA- Pine Ridge Vineyards announced today their Buy a Bottle, Feed a Family Program. This holiday season, for every bottle of Pine Ridge and ForeFront by Pine Ridge purchased, they will donate $1 to a local food bank. This program will run from October through December of this year. 

Roughly 13% of people living in the United States live in poverty and approximately one in four children live in homes that suffer from food shortage. [1] Donations made possible by lovers of Pine Ridge and ForeFront by Pine Ridge wines will help feed thousands who are affected by hunger, which is particularly acute over the holiday season. This philanthropic program will occur throughout the nation in over 20 states and 30 cities. “Pine Ridge Vineyards has always helped the local Napa Valley community over the years and we are happy to support, and encourage others to support, communities in need around the country, through this program” said Michael Beaulac, Winemaker and General Manager at Pine Ridge Vineyards.

Any purchase of Pine Ridge or ForeFront, in stores, restaurants and online, will contribute to the Feed a Family Program. The program will be promoted through the winery’s social media sites including Facebook, (www.facebook.com/pages/Pine-Ridge-Vineyards) and Twitter (@pineridgewine) as well as to customers who purchase wine online at store.pineridgevineyards.com. Marketing materials will feature a QR code that points consumers to a web site where they can donate to their local food bank, as well.

About Pine Ridge Vineyards

With meticulous attention to detail and a knowledge developed over 30 years of continuity, Pine Ridge Vineyards produces wines that showcase 200 acres of premier estate vineyards across five renowned appellations in the Napa Valley. Since its founding in 1978, the winery has specialized in Cabernet and other Bordeaux style red wines as well as handcrafted Chardonnay. For more information on Pine Ridge Vineyards and ForeFront by Pine Ridge please visit www.pineridgevineyards.com. For media inquiries, images and interviews please contact Emily Aschbrenner of Charles Communications Associates at 415-701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.

Crimson Wine Group Acquires Seghesio Family Vineyards
Adds Another Jewel in the Crown of its Luxury Domestic Wine Portfolio

Napa, CA – June 1, 2011 – Crimson Wine Group CEO Erle Martin announced today the acquisition of Seghesio Family Vineyards, one of California’s oldest family owned wineries specializing in estate-grown Zinfandel wines.  Another milestone in Crimson’s history, Seghesio Family Vineyards joins the estate-focused portfolio of luxury domestic brands including Archery Summit (Willamette Valley, OR), Chamisal Vineyards (Edna Valley, CA) and Pine Ridge Vineyards (Stag’s Leap District, CA) as a well-loved and respected family winery in the Dry Creek Valley AVA, which critics have deemed Zinfandel nirvana.  Martin was seeking to complement Crimson’s compelling portfolio with a dedication to a particular varietal similar to the Pinot Noir focus of Archery Summit, the Burgundian focus of Chamisal Vineyards and the Cabernet Sauvignon focus of Pine Ridge.  Always keeping an eye out for strong brands that synergistically work with Crimson’s philosophy, Martin had a long relationship of mutual respect in the wine business with Seghesio owner Peter Seghesio.

Seghesio, who will remain on with the winery, represents the 3rd generation of the family who literally and metaphorically put down roots in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma in 1895 and were instrumental in the development of Sonoma as a wine region.  Over the years, the family acquired 400 acres, and planted 300 of them.  “Much like the best things in life, it’s always serendipitous when you find a great match in business or in your personal endeavors,” stated Seghesio.  “Crimson Wine Group represented just that, a company and team whose philosophy towards nurturing brands, along with vision, a strong distribution network and access to capital, would allow us to grow to the next level, a level that business on a family scale would have difficulty attaining on its own.”

In the 1990s, the Seghesio family, who had grown sizeable in its 100 years of doing business, refocused from producing popular priced Zinfandel and table wine to higher quality offerings in keeping with the emerging premium and super premium wine market.  Precision sustainable farming, including frequent thinning and hand-farming of vineyards, produced lower yields and ensured even ripening across the family’s 300 acres of vines, significantly improving quality and delivering a distinctive, balanced style which has been met with great critical acclaim.  The winery has gained a place on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list an impressive six times in just the past decade.

Much of the family will remain in place in the day to day management and operations of the winery including winemaker Ted Seghesio and Peter, who will assume the role of Winegrower.  In this position he will continue to work closely with the vineyard management team as well as with Ted on blending decisions, and will also act as ambassador for the family and the winery at home and on the road.  Stated Martin, “We want to keep the heart and soul of the winery intact with the family, who will continue to inform the vision and create its success.”  Details of the sale were not disclosed.  Demeter Group, the San Francisco-based investment bank for growth consumer and retail companies, acted as exclusive financial advisor to Seghesio Family Vineyards.

About Crimson Wine Group
The Crimson Wine Group is a leading company in the luxury domestic wine business, with five coveted brands and over 700 planted acres in five growing regions and 11 outstanding AVAs across California, Oregon and Washington. Representing over 250,000 cases within the higher-end price segments, Crimson focuses on estate-grown wines from producers that represent the best their appellation has to offer.  The portfolio is a diverse collection, across both varietals and appellations, of top quality wines for the marketplace which are thoughtfully stewarded by the company’s team.

For media inquiries and sample requests, please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates, press@charlescomm.com 415/701-9463 (office) or 415/730-0064 (cell).

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Pine Ridge Vineyards Rings in 2011 with Cause for Celebration

Winery receives an unprecedented series of five scores above 90 points from the Wine Advocate

Stags Leap District, Napa, CA January 12, 2011 – The end of 2010 brought great cause to celebrate at Pine Ridge Vineyards when renowned wine critic Robert Parker released his reviews of California wineries awarding Pine Ridge five scores above 90 points, a first in the 32 year history of the winery.    This was particularly sweet news for winemaker Michael Beaulac who joined the winery in the spring of 2009 and had to wait the patient period of time before his talent and efforts could be brought to light given the 18-24 months it takes for one’s first release of wines to be launched to the world.   Top scores went to the 2008 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 91+ points, the 2008 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 93+ points, the 2008 Fortis Cabernet Sauvignon 94+ points, the 2008 Le Petit Clos Chardonnay 93 points and the 2009 Chenin Blanc + Viognier touted as a killer wine value with 90 points.

“These scores from the Wine Advocate are the best the winery has ever received,” stated Erle Martin, CEO for the Crimson Wine Group whose high-end wine portfolio includes Pine Ridge as well as Archery Summit in the Dundee Hills of Oregon and Chamisal Vineyards in the Edna Valley, California.   “They validate the hard work Michael and his team including vineyard manager Gustavo Avina have put into making these wines qualitatively and stylistically among the finest Napa has to offer,” he continues.

“Pine Ridge was one of the pioneering wineries in the Stags Leap district in the late 1970s when some of the most legendary names that embody top quality got their start,” states Winemaker & General Manager Michael Beaulac.   “I’m lucky to be working with distinctive vineyards within five AVAs in Napa to craft the wines of Pine Ridge.   Our approach is a combination of sensitivity to terroir and an art of assemblage, or blending.   We have great properties and our role is to guide the fruit from those vineyards towards becoming the wines they should naturally be.   Our fine tuning in the blending process allows the wine to find its own balance and equilibrium,” says Beaulac.

In his role at the winery, Beaulac oversees all grape-growing and winemaking operations as well as facilities management at the winery which is located on the famous Silverado Trail in the heart of the Stags Leap district.  The distinctive tree line of pines cuts a dramatic swath across the top of the ridgeline above the property, thus its namesake.

Pine Ridge specializes in producing wines that embody the unique characteristics of the Napa Valley appellation in which its 200 acres of estate vineyards are located.   Since its founding in 1978, the winery has specialized in Cabernet and other Bordeaux style red wines as well as hand-crafted Chardonnays.  For more information on Pine Ridge please visit www.pineridgevineyards.com and for media inquiries, images and interviews please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at 415/701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.

Archery Summit Pinot Noir Oregon Archery Summit Estate 1998

Harvey Steiman

A couple of musician friends arrived a day early for their concert recently in Berkeley, across the bay from my home in San Francisco. We arranged to meet at Camino, a casual restaurant in Oakland where chef Russell Moore rustles up farm-to-table fare on an open hearth, infusing dishes with marvelous smoky tones. The wine list is short, but I knew I could bring something from my cellar to demonstrate the glories of American wine for my friends, who hail from Wales and Scotland.

I wanted something fully mature, yet retaining enough fruit flavor to balance the smokiness of the food. Oregon Pinot Noir seemed like just the thing, and I pulled out my last remaining bottle of Archery Summit Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Estate 1998. Bursting with fruit on release, the wine always seemed built to last, and it showed well in my 10-years-on tasting of the ’98 vintage a couple of years back.

The wine delivered. Its dark cherry and spice flavors had softened into a plush, almost opulent texture, the tannins totally absorbed. I gave it 92 points, non-blind, and it was a perfect match with Moore’s grass-fed beef steak, braised short rib and polenta. My Welsh friend allowed as how it did just fine with his wood-roasted ling cod, too.

WineSpectator.com members: Read the original blind-tasting review for Archery Summit Pinot Noir Oregon Archery Summit Estate 1998 (90, $100).

• Plus, get scores and tasting notes for more recently rated Oregon Pinot Noirs.

ForeFront Wines by Pine Ridge Vineyards launched

Saluting a spirit of exploration

October 28, 2009 – Napa, CA – A series of three new wines christened ForeFront have been released appropriately during harvest 2009 by the Crimson Wine Group, consisting of sister wineries Pine Ridge Vineyards (Napa Valley), Chamisal Vineyards  (Edna Valley) and Archery Summit (Willamette Valley). Inspired by the spirit of wine industry pioneer Gary Andrus who, together with his wife Nancy, established Pine Ridge Vineyards in 1978 in the legendary district of Stags Leap in Napa Valley, as well as Archery Summit Vineyards in Willamette Valley in 1993.  The wines are infused with the same foresight and innovation that the Andruses brought to the wine industry in its nascent days in the U.S. market. The Andruses were among the first to encourage tight vine spacing in the vineyard, implement gravity flow in the cellar, and hire a female winemaker in the 1970s, among many other innovations that have now become industry standards.

Not bound by convention or geographic boundaries, the sourcing for these wines includes a diverse selection of top American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) up and down the west coast, including the Napa Valley where Pine Ridge has established its reputation, the Willamette Valley, Dry Creek, El Dorado and the Edna Valley, where Chamisal Vineyards was the first vineyard planted in the region.   The portfolio of ForeFront wines includes a Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.  Attractively priced in the $16-$24 per 750 ml bottle range, these wines offer the quality and reputation of the winemaking at Pine Ridge, at a price point that makes these wines accessible every day.

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the best vintages in three decades in California is blended with Syrah from El Dorado and Edna Valley as well as small amounts of classic Bordeaux varieties sourced from the 225 estate acres from five different AVAs owned by Pine Ridge in Napa. The diversity of appellations and varieties combine to create a wine that is thoroughly modern in style and complex in structure. The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of fruit from the Dry Creek and Napa AVAs which offer contrasting styles that ultimately serve a Sauvignon Blanc well, namely distinct aromatics, racy acidity and a rich mouth feel.  The 2008 Pinot Noir, 100% Willamette Valley sourced, primarily the Dundee Hills AVA, is a classic expression of Oregon Pinot Noir with an emphasis on red fruits and supple tannins.  For more information on the wines including a video overview please visit http://forefrontwines.com/wines.html.

Crafted by noted winemaker Michael Beaulac, who is at the home vineyard of Pine Ridge, these wines express the art of blending and the deep knowledge that Beaulac has working with these varietals in over 20 years of winemaking at Laurier, Murphy Goode, Markham and most recently St. Supery.  These wines are being released this October in select US markets including CA, NY, NJ, TX, MA, FL, IL, MN, AZ, CO, GA, NV, OR, MI, OH, DC, SC and NC with a national rollout expected over the next year.

For samples, images and media information, please contact Kendall Johnson at Charles Communications Associates kendall@charlescomm.com or 415 701 9463 www.charlescomm.com.