Big News

Paso Robles, CA—  The WISE Academy, the only wine industry education, training and certification program dedicated solely to direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, just announced that it will be offering its Tasting Room Professional Certification Course in Paso Robles on Monday, April 30^th, Tuesday, May 1^st and Thursday, May 3^rd.

The 3-day course focuses on providing professional skills and service training to tasting room managers, employees, and prospective employees by covering best practices in customer service, sales, and other skills critical to creating the best possible tasting room experience. Successful course completion results in earning WISE Level 1 Certification as a Tasting Room Professional, laying the foundation for future WISE coursework in Tasting Room Management, WISE #211.

Specific skill sets the course will focus on include how to positively profile customers to determine their propensity to purchase, as well how to assess buying signals and appropriately cross or up sell. An additional focus will be on wine tasting with food pairing, in order to build wine fluency among tasting room employees. Mystery shopping opportunities at other winery tasting rooms will also be offered for course participants.

“We are excited to bring our tasting room professional course to Paso Robles, and support the Central Coast in further building its reputation as a top wine country destination,” says Lesley Berglund, WISE Academy Chairman and Co-Founder. The WISE #111 Tasting Room Professional Course is the first class that WISE Academy has offered in Paso Robles, which was done at the request of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA). Berglund and the WISE Academy team hope to bring more Direct-to-Consumer focused courses to the Central Coast in the coming months.

Until April 20^th, WISE Academy is extending a discount introductory offer of 25% off the cost of the introductory Tasting Room Professional Course in Paso Robles with the use of coupon code PASO25 before April 20^th. To register for the course or find out more information about WISE Academy and its offerings, please visit http://www.wineindustrysaleseducation.com.

About WISE Academy^TM

WISE - which stands for Wine Industry Sales Education - offers a comprehensive curriculum for wine industry professionals. It is the only wine industry education, training and certification program dedicated solely to direct-to-consumer sales and marketing. Developed by more than forty vintners and industry experts, all classes are geared to increasing the expertise of direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales and marketing professionals while also igniting their passion for the role they play in a winery’s success. WISE courses are divided into three levels, plus an executive series, so they can meet the needs of everyone in the wine industry – from new industry enthusiasts to seasoned direct sales managers to winery CEOs. Founded in 2008, the WISE Academy is led by Chairman Lesley P. Berglund, a wine industry DTC pioneer and serial entrepreneur.

For more information please contact media relations representative Katie Hunter at Charles Communications Associates atKatie@charlescomm.com, 415-701-9463 or Lesley P. Berglund, Co-Founder and Chairman, WISE Academy, 707-246-6827.

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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.

Russian River Valley, CA – The McWilliams family, owners of Arista Winery on Westside Road in the Russian River Valley are pleased to announce the purchase of the historic 74-acre Martinelli Road Vineyard, adding to their 36 acres of estate vineyard ownership at the home winery. Well known for their elegant Pinot Noir portfolio along with limited production releases of Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Zinfandel, the McWilliams are thrilled to add the prized 125-year-old Zinfandel plantings as well as 20+ year Pinot Noir and 30+ year Chardonnay plantings from the property to their offerings. Planted to 5 acres of Zinfandel, 10 acres of Chardonnay and 3 acres of Pinot Noir, the vineyard site has been continuously farmed since the 1870’s. The vineyard was originally planted by the Banfield family to Zinfandel with the majority of the existing vines being planted in the 1880’s. The property was sold by the Banfields in 1903 and has been farmed by the same family until the McWilliams’ purchase.

The McWilliams plan to immediately begin producing estate designated Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay from the property. They will also continue selling Zinfandel to Mike Officer of Carlisle Winery as he has crafted a vineyard designate from the property since 2009. Arista’s estate vineyard manager, Ulises Valdez, will oversee the management of the new property.

Of the acquisition, Arista Winery’s co-owner Mark McWilliams said, “We are deeply honored to have had this rare opportunity to acquire a vineyard of such history and caliber. I vividly remember early in my wine career I had a job as a sugar sampler for a winery and this very vineyard was one of the ones I oversaw. I can remember thinking what an amazing property this was but it never crossed my mind that one day my family would have the opportunity to own and produce wine from this historic site. My parents, brother and I plan to continue the rich family heritage of this vineyard, sharing the story of the property and its excellent wines with fans old and new.”

Ben McWilliams, co-owner who oversees the tasting room and estate management for Arista also commented about the continuity of working with Mike Officer, “Mike was the very first person to reach out to us after the completion of the acquisition.   He’s a friend and someone we look forward to working closely with considering his deep knowledge of the historic Zinfandel vineyards in Sonoma County.”

Excited to work with the fruit from the property, Arista winemaker Leslie Sisneros commented, “You cannot replicate the nuance and complexity of these old vines, it is an incredible lesson in the beauty of Mother Nature and a privilege to work with such amazing fruit. It’s humbling to walk amongst these vines and consider the 125 years of farming history.”

The transaction also includes 60 acres of redwood forest, the 1930’s farmhouse and numerous barns, which the McWilliams plan to restore to their original condition.

Arista Winery was founded in 2002 by Al and Janis McWilliams, who bought the 36 acre property on Westside Road, creating with their sons Mark and Ben, a winery known for crafting world class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. Their vision has always been to grow and produce the finest quality wines possible working with a team of highly skilled artisan growers, gardeners and chefs to use the estate as a place to hone and showcase their talents. Taking pride in their non-interventionist approach, the same philosophy will carry through to the new property. Currently, the winery produces wines both from the family’s Westside Road estate as well as small lot bottlings from growers in Sonoma County, Mendocino Ridge, the Anderson and Willamette Valleys. For more information on the winery and its offerings please visit http://www.aristawinery.com/

For media inquiries, interviews, images please contact Kimberly Charles or Katie Hunter of Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.

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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Graton, CA— Purple Wine Company is honored to announce that Mark West has been awarded the Impact Hot Brand Award in 2011 for the second year in a row. As the best-selling Pinot Noir nationwide, with an IRI annual revenue growth rate of 27%, Mark West was a natural candidate for the award. The Impact Hot Brand Award is given by M. Shanken Communications annually to established brands that achieve superior sales growth and performance in the marketplace.

Additionally, Mark West was named one of Symphony IRI’s Top 30 Momentum Table Wine Brands in food and drug stores for 2011, achieving the honor of being the only Pinot Noir-focused brand in the Top 30 Momentum Brands group. Pinot Noir was the nation’s fastest growing key varietal in 2011, up 12% overall. Pinot Noir priced from $10 to $14, up 28%, is the fastest growing of all key varietal price segments, according to the 2011 Gomberg Frederickson Report. Mark West leads the growth in this dynamic segment.

“We’ve built Mark West with focused sales and marketing strategies, investment in wine quality, and enthusiastic support from our distributors and trade accounts,” says Derek Benham, CEO of Purple Wine Company, speaking about the success of his company’s flagship brand. “In 2002, there simply wasn’t affordable Pinot Noir. Mark West changed all that and continues to be the Pinot that is recognized for its quality and style.”

Mark West’s total volume growth continues to soar, rising 33% during the twelve-week period that ended February 19, 2012. This success builds on 10 years of double-digit growth for both the Mark West brand and for Purple Wine Company, whose volume has grown on average over 40% each year over the past decade.

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 that offer outstanding value, are high quality and consistent in style from vintage to vintage. The wines are produced at its sister production company, Sonoma Wine Company, using water and energy conservation practices, while reducing Greenhouse gas emissions. Current brands include Mark West, Avalon, Four Vines, and Bex. For more information, please visitwww.purplewine.com or contact Katie Hunter of Charles Communications Associates at 415.701.9463 or press@charlescomm.com.

Livermore Valley, CA  - This lineup of enticing upcoming events from Wente Family Estates offers many ways to celebrate the beginning of Spring. Art showings, special tastings and events and family activities create opportunities to delight the tastes of every wine enthusiast.

Activities at Wente Family Estates from April through June, 2012 include:

April

Pasta 101 Demonstration Class
April 7^th, 10:30am-11:30am
The Restaurant Rotunda Dining Room
Join us for a Demonstration class taught by the Catering Executive Chef, Jeff Farlow. There is no charge for the class, but space is limited. Call 925-456-2450 for reservations.

Artist Reception: Watercolor by Carol Maddox
April 7^th, 1pm-3pm
Estate Winery Tasting Room
Local artist Carol Maddox will be displaing her unique watercolors at the Estate Winery Tasting Room through April. Come meet the artist and enjoy the incredible wines by Wente Vineyards. For more information call 925-456-2305.

Yoga & Wine Class
April 11^th, 5:00pm-7pm
Vineyard Lawn – 5050 Arroyo Road
Come heighten your senses with Fifth Generation Winemaker, Karl Wente, at the first class of Wente Vineyards’ Yoga & Wine series on the Vineyard Lawn, followed by a special wine and cheese tasting. Reservations required.  For more information call the Vineyard Tasting Room 925-456-2405.

Celebrate Earth Day at Wente Vineyards
April 22^nd, 11am-4pm
Wente Vineyards Event Center
Join Wente Vineyards as we celebrate Earth Day! Enjoy great food, wine, information and activity booths, and live music at the Wente Vineyards. It’s green fun for the whole family. Learn more about Wente Vineyards’ ongoing sustainability efforts and green initiatives by participating in complimentary walking tours of our sustainable garden and Audubon certified golf course.
No admission fee, Wine tasting $15 per person, $10 for Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, & TAMÁS Estates Club Members.For more information call 925.456.2300.

Festivities include:

• Activity and information booths from local green and sustainable businesses
• Presentations detailing Wente Vineyards sustainability program at 1pm and 3pm
• Garden tours at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, led by Master Gardener Diane Dovholuk
• Tours of the recently re-certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary at The Course at Wente Vineyards at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, & 3pm
• Designated activities for children including a place for kids to craft jewelry from recycled products and a worm composting station
• Golf contest, croquet, Wente washer games
• Dining at The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards to enjoy a special three-course menu featuring garden ingredients (for menu please visit www.wentevineyards.com)
• Concessions by Catering at Wente Vineyards
• Wine tasting from Wente Vineyards, Tamás Estates, Murrieta’s Well, and Entwine

May

Artist Reception: Acrylics by Pat Cranor
May 6^th, 1pm-3pm
Estate Winery Tasting Room
Join Wente Vineyards for a reception showcasing acrylic art by local artist, Pat Cranor. Artwork will be on display in the Estate Winery Tasting Room through May. For more information call 925-456-2305.

Spring Garden Tour
May 8^th, 10:30am-12pm
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
Explore the vineyard’s beautiful 1,000-square food herb and vegetable garden and learn about the Restaurant at Wente Vineyards extensive sustainability practices from our Master-Gardener, Diane Dovholuk. Our Executive Chef, Matt Greco, will also provide a cooking demo using ingredients that we picked in the garden that morning. Admission is free, however space is limited and reservations are required. Call 925.456.2450. 

Winemaker’s Dinner to the Nth Degree
May 11^th, 6:30pm-9pm
Wente Vineyards Event Center
Join us for the ultimate celebration of food and wine at Wente Vineyards. Sample the finest pairing of the winemaking, gardening and culinary arts. Join Winemaker Karl Wente as he shares his wines with culinary creations from Master Gardener, Diane Dovholuk and Chef Jeff Farlow. This team joins together to combine wine country cuisine with fresh local ingredients from our own garden, paired with the finest expression of winemaking. Reservations are required and space is limited.
$109 per guest including wine, $89 for Club Wente Members. Call 925-456-2450 for reservations or purchase online.

The Concerts at Wente Vineyards: Opening Day
May 19^th, 2012
On May 19^th, Concert Tickets become available to the public through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster Call Centers at 1.800.745.3000. The Box Office at Wente Vineyards is available Monday through Friday, from 10am to 4pm. Become a Club Wente Entertainment Member and receive Exclusive Savings on tickets and bottles of wine purchased at outdoor concert wine bars. For the 2012 Concerts at the Vineyards news visit  wentevineyards.com.

Yoga & Wine Class
April 11^th, 5:00pm-7pm
Vineyard Lawn – 5050 Arroyo Road
Join us for the second installment of the Yoga & Wine series with Fifth Generation Winemaker, Karl Wente, followed by a special wine and cheese tasting. Reservations required.  For more information call the Vineyard Tasting Room 925-456-2405.

40^th Annual Art in the Vineyard
May 27^th, 11am-5pm
Estate Winery Tasting Room
Enjoy wine, art, food and music? Come soak up the beautiful setting of the Estate Winery while enjoying inspired art demonstrations and the works of Livermore Valley’s most talented artists. Join us for the 40th annual Art in the Vineyard festival! Event is complimentary. $15 for wine tasting, which includes a commemorative glass, $10 for Club Wente members.For information call 925-456-2305.

June

Artist Reception: Watercolors by Michael Robles
June 3^rd, 1pm-3pm
Estate Winery Tasting Room
Local artist, Michael Robles, will be showcasing his watercolors at the Estate Tasting Room throughout the month of June. Come meet the artist and enjoy wines by Wente Vineyards! For information call 925-456-2305.

Summer Garden Tour
June 12^th, 10:30am-12pm
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
Explore the vineyard’s beautiful 1,000-square food herb and vegetable garden and learn about the Restaurant at Wente Vineyards extensive sustainability practices from our Master-Gardener, Diane Dovholuk. Our Executive Chef, Matt Greco, will also provide a cooking demo using ingredients that we picked in the garden that morning. Admission is free, however space is limited and reservations are required. Call 925.456.2450. 

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 byWine 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 Family Estates is home to 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.wentefamilyestates.com.

For any interviews or media assistance, please contact Skye Morgan 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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***MEDIA ALERT*** MEDIA ALERT *** MEDIA ALERT *** MEDIA ALERT ***

Yoga and Wine at Wente Vineyards 

Invigorating Yoga and Meditation Class with Wine and Cheese Tasting by Fifth Generation Winemaker Karl D. Wente
“American Winery of the Year*”

WHO: Fifth Generation Winemaker Karl D. Wente of Wente Vineyards and Suzanna Spring of Cosmic Dog yoga studio in Livermore, CA invite the public to the second annual Yoga and Wine series, an invigorating evening of utkatasanas and hand-crafted wines in a picturesque vineyard setting at Wente Vineyards.

WHAT: The yoga class will be followed by a special wine and cheese tasting lead by Karl Wente, featuring Wente Vineyards’ 2010 Riva Ranch Chardonnay and 2009 Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon. The class will be $35 per person and $40 at the door. For Wente Vineyards Club Members, the class is only $30. Guests are required to bring their own mats and towels to the property along with cash or check only. Space is limited.

WHEN: – Wednesday, April 11^th, 2012
                     Wednesday, May 23^rd, 2012

                     Check in begins at 5:00 p.m.
                     Yoga class from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
                     Wine and cheese tasting from 6:30 pm-7:00p.m.

WHERE: 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore, CA 94550
                    Yoga and tasting will take place on the Vineyard Lawn

MORE: Dedicated yogi and Fifth Generation Winemaker Karl D. Wente has continuously expressed how yoga has encouraged balance and focus in his life, allowing him to become acutely in-tune with the wines he creates. Those who have experienced the many benefits of yoga have likely also encountered heightened senses following a yoga practice. For wine lovers, this translates to finely tuned senses to the aromas and flavor profiles in wine and can elevate a tasting experience that may well be unattainable to the average non-yoga practicing wine consumer. This unique event at Wente Vineyards promises to enchant the senses.
 
CONTACT: For more information or to RSVP, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates: 415-701-9463 | skye@charlescomm.com

*Presented by Wine Enthusiast

Graton, CA - Sonoma Wine Company, the North Coast’s largest, full-service crush-to-bottle contract winery services provider, has partnered with Winesecrets, a leading provider of wine production technologies, to offer cross-platform services to its third-party clients. This unique partnership will support clients throughout the winemaking process; from custom crushing and blending, bottling, labeling, barrel storage, bulk wine storage, and case goods storage services to a full spectrum of additional specialty vinification services.

Exciting new services featured through this partnership include environmentally friendly tartaric stabilization through Winesecrets’ Selective Tartrate Removal System (STARS) filtration technology. STARS utilizes electrodialysis to rapidly remove tartrate crystals formed during fermentation, creating a clean, pure wine with just a fraction of the energy required by bulk refrigeration. As a result, the system accomplishes in hours what typically takes days and weeks using conventional cold stabilization techniques. Winesecrets has housed its newest STARS units at Sonoma Wine Company, offering clients immediate access to this cutting-edge technology.

Through the partnership, Sonoma Wine Company will also offer other services such as Crossflow filtration, which is rapidly becoming the method of choice for wine clarification. Another offering made available through the partnership is alcohol removal services.

“This alliance will allow us to provide in-house filtration and wine finishing services at extremely competitive prices by eliminating the need for our clients to transport their wines to an outside location,” says Mark Castaldi, General Manager of Sonoma Wine Company. “This newly created alliance with Winesecrets has allowed Sonoma Wine Company the opportunity to provide its clients with the broadest and widest possible portfolio of services,” he adds.

“Sonoma Wine Company is a clear leader in cost effective production services,” says Eric Dahlberg, President of Winesecrets. “Our alliance with Sonoma Wine Company offers their clients preferred access to cutting edge winemaking technologies while providing Winesecrets with an operating hub within the Napa appellation to service our new and existing customers.”

This newest partnership is a continuation of Sonoma Wine Company’s ongoing strategy to develop strategic alliances with key supply chain service providers. By taking this approach, Sonoma Wine Company will continue to assist client wineries with opportunities for improved efficiencies and reduced costs by providing a “one stop shopping” alternative.

About Sonoma Wine Company

Sonoma Wine Company is a full-service crush-to-bottle contract winery partnering with California wine producers to crush, ferment, barrel, bottle and warehouse wine programs of all sizes. With five modern facilities located in both Sonoma and Napa counties, the facility can accommodate any size program. With superior customer service and a wide array of equipment including state-of-the-art crush facilities, over two million gallons of stainless cooperage, and six modern bottling lines, the facility can tailor its services and highly experienced staff to match client’s programs so that clients can spend time connecting with distributors, building a customer base, and growing brands. Sonoma Wine Company has tailored its business to match the size of almost any wine program from private label to large contract producers. Whether companies are producing 500 cases or 500,000 cases, Sonoma Wine Company can scale a company’s growth accordingly.

About Winesecrets

Winesecrets, headquartered in Sebastopol, CA, was founded in 2003 to bring STARS, an environmentally friendly solution for tartaric stabilization to the North American wine industry. Winesecrets other filtration services include Volatile Acidity Reduction, Brettanomyces (4EP/4EG) mitigation, and other taint removal. Winesecrets also provides mobile and fixed Alcohol Adjustment (at its Sebastopol, CA hub), Ultra Filtration, Cross-Flow Micro-Filtration and mobile centrifugal clarification. Winesecrets is known for creating useful services from promising wine production technologies.

For more information about Sonoma Wine Company, their management team, or to arrange interviews, please contact Lisa Ehrlich at lehrlich@purplewine.com or (707) 829-6132.

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Livermore Valley, CA – On the heels of supporting Noise Pop, San Francisco’s city-wide music and arts festival, for the third year, Wente Vineyards continues its successful emerging artist program, ‘Discover the Wine, Discover the Music’ (DWDM) through participation in South by Southwest (SXSW) from Tuesday, March 13^th to Sunday, March 18^th this year.

DWDM launched five years ago when Fifth Generation Winemaker Karl D. Wente decided to blend his love for fine wines with independent original music. Every year Karl pairs six up-and-coming artists’ singles with six of his Estate grown wines to create a new “vintage”. Karl Wente strongly believes that great wine and good food should be paired with music, and has a knack for finding unique parallels between music and wine.

This year Wente Vineyards is tapping into SXSW in a unique way. Wente Vineyards and Noise Pop have teamed up to host several music and wine pairing events. The first was held on Wednesday, March 14, where 16 bands performed at Red Eyed Fly including Three Oh Sees, Pillowfight and Y La Bamba. The second event is this Friday, March 16 from 12pm-6pm and will feature14 bands performing at the Iota/ Noisepop/Wente SXSW Day Party. Both events are free.

Noise Pop and Wente Vineyards also held sold out “The Cover Dinners” on Tuesday, March 13 and Wednesday March 14. The exclusive events, held at secret locations in Austin, were hosted by Karl Wente and featured the pairing of great wine with new music.

In addition, Karl Wente will be hosting acoustic performances and a Wente Vineyards wine tasting at Cork and Co., 308 Congress Company located at 308 Congress Ave Austin, TX 78701, from 12pm-3pm March 15^th, 16^th and 17^th. Some of the bands performing include: The Front Porch, Loquat, The Pierces, the Soft White Sixties, The Kin and more.  This event is free to the public.

Tickets to SXSW can be purchased online at Ticketfly.com.

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 100^th 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 Noise Pop
Noise Pop sprang to life in 1993. It was originally a single night in a small club showcasing the best of the burgeoning underground San Francisco music scene. It has since developed into one of the country’s leading independent music festivals. The event has achieved grassroots and critical success, as well as international recognition. Many of the most important artists of our time—including The White Stripes, Death Cab For Cutie, Modest Mouse, Jimmy Eat World, The Flaming Lips, The Shins, Bright Eyes, and Jeff Tweedy of Wilco have played on Noise Pop stages.

Over the course of five days, Noise Pop presents dozens of unique and important music shows in the city’s best-loved venues. It has grown to include a film festival, an educational series, art openings and dining experiences. It is a music-lover’s celebration and a celebration of San Francisco—the shows sell out, people have fun, and every year the event grows in size and scope.

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Livermore, CA,  – The Wente Family is proud to announce the winners of the Fourth Annual Wente Family Estates Legacy Awards, held on March 5-6, 2012 at The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards. The two-day event commenced with the highly anticipated Legacy Awards Dinner, followed by the Legacy Awards Pro-Am at The Course at Wente Vineyards, and Distributor Council meeting to discuss goals and the outlook for 2012 and beyond.

The awards are categorized based on distributor size, with the Platinum Tier selling the highest quantity of more than 100,000 cases. This year’s distributor winner in the Platinum Tier category is: Southern Wine & Spirits of California. Tier One awards were awarded to Classic Wine Imports of Massachusetts, Glazer’s Distributors of Texas and Lauber Selections of New Jersey. Tier Two distributors were New England Wine & Spirits Inc. of Connecticut, Glazer’s Distributing of Missouri and Capitol-Husting Company Inc. of Wisconsin. The Tier Three distributors recognized included g. housen in Vermont, Glazer’s of Indiana and Lipman Brothers of Tennessee.

Equally notable were awards given in the importers category, where International Cellars of Canada, Amrbos Inc. of Guam and West Indies Corporation of the Virgin Islands won awards for Most Successful Growth of the Wente Family Estates’ wine portfolio.

Lastly, Special Recognition Awards were presented to distributors that showcased outstanding sales performance for brands within the Wente Family Estates portfolio. The distributors that received the various Special Recognition Awards included: Southern Wine & Spirits of Maryland for Outstanding New Distributor, Glazer’s Distributors of Texas for Outstanding Portfolio Performance for Wente Family Estates, Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida for Outstanding Brand Launch for entwine, New England Wine & Spirits Inc. of Connecticut for Outstanding Sales Performance for Murrieta’s Well, g. housen of Vermont for Outstanding Sales Performance for Hayes Ranch, Southern Wine & Spirits of Maryland for Outstanding Sales Performance for TAMÁS Estates and Southern Wine & Spirits of California for Outstanding Sales Performance for Wente Vineyards.

“The Legacy Awards honors top distributors and importers who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in distribution and successful wine portfolio growth. This is a monumental year for the Wente family, as we celebrate our 129^th year in business, the 100^th anniversary of bringing Chardonnay to California and American Winery of the Year. This event gives us the opportunity to pay tribute to our distributors’ partners, who enable us to continue building upon our success each year,” said Carolyn Wente, CEO of Wente Family Estates.

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 Family Estates is home to 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.wentefamilyestates.com.

Photography from the event is available and for any interviews or media assistance, please contact Skye Morgan at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.