For Immediate Release
Tamara Weinstein
MCVGA
831-375-9400
Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association Announces
The 6th Annual Great Wine Escape Weekend
Wine enthusiasts invited to escape to Monterey County from November 7- 10, 2002
MONTEREY, CA. - September, 2002 - The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association (MCVGA) is pleased to announce the upcoming sixth annual Great Wine Escape Weekend, November 7-10, 2002. Guests are invited to enjoy four days of autumn in beautiful Monterey County. The Great Wine Escape Weekend brings together winemakers, grape growers, hoteliers, restaurateurs and wine enthusiasts in this extravaganza. The event features activities that all will enjoy.
Thursday evening, November 7th, the four-day festival kicks-off with a jazz concert, where participants can soak up the bay views at California's most scenic tasting room, "A Taste of Monterey." Guests can sit back, relax and sip a glass of Monterey County wine, while listening to smooth jazz tunes.
Friday morning, November 8th, golfers will experience "fore" like never before at the Great Wine Escape Golf Tournament, held at Carmel Valley Ranch. Monterey County vintners will be testing their skill on the course as well. Golfers are invited to join the vintners for a lively shotgun/scramble format competition that includes hole-in-one contests, prizes and lunch, followed by a festive wine and awards reception.
Friday evening is the ultimate in food and wine pairing as Monterey County vintners and chefs plan their menus together for Winemaker Dinners throughout Monterey County. A winery representative will be present at each dinner to share and discuss their vintages with each course served.
Saturday, November 9th, is the day to capture the essence of Monterey's Wine Country. Guests can enjoy a self-guided tour or a narrated bus tour of the many wineries that make up Monterey County's unique wine region. The wineries will be treating their visitors to something special; from barrel samples and tasty appetizers to music, entertainment, and games. After a fun-filled day of touring, the Hyatt Regency in Monterey will be the host for an additional wine tasting paired with classical music.
"We are extremely excited about the new format for our tours this year," stated Rhonda Motil, Executive Director of MCVGA. "Each tour will feature an educational session that will really showcase the uniqueness of Monterey Wine Country. A few of the topics will include 'Personality of Pinot Noir', 'Hedonistic Winemaking', and 'Producing the Perfect Bordeaux styled blend'. With five tours to select from, each guest is sure to find a session that is of interest to them."
Saturday evening, wine enthusiasts will not want to miss out on the Monterey Wine Auction & Gala at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Diners will enjoy a wonderful evening while supporting wonderful causes that benefit the community. This exquisite wine affair features world-class wines and cuisine in a breathtaking atmosphere. Guests also have the opportunity to bid on trendsetting Monterey County wines and lifestyle packages during a live auction. Proceeds from the auction will benefit The Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County, viticulture research in Monterey County, and local scholarships.
Sunday, November 10th, is another wine-filled day at the Inn at Spanish Bay! Pebble Beach is the perfect setting for this event as Monterey County winemakers and grape growers get together to discuss their world-class wines at this showcase event, The Great Wine Escape Finalé. This grand tasting will feature barrel samples, new releases, and reserve wines from over 35 Monterey County wineries. Local restaurants will provide their latest delicacies to complement this wine and food extravaganza.
Monterey is Wine Country - the rise to prominence of Monterey as one of the world's great winegrowing regions has been nothing short of amazing. The Great Wine Escape Weekend provides the perfect opportunity for wine aficionados to see and taste why Monterey will continue to be a "hot topic" for many years to come.
Special Escape Packages are available. For information and tickets, contact MCVGA at 831/375-9400 or order online at www.montereywines.org
About MCVGA
The Monterey County Vintners & Growers' Association (MCVGA) brings together the talents and resources of members, partners and our community in order to promote and support our leadership in the art, the science and the business of wine. Founded in 1974, MCVGA is a non-profit organization representing over sixty vintners and growers in Monterey County. MCVGA can be reached by calling 831-375-9400 or visiting online at www.montereywines.org
