For Immediate Release
Rhonda Motil
MCVGA
831-375-9400
Monterey County Vintners And Growers Association Members Showcase Their Best In Boston, New York, And Los Angeles
The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association (MCVGA)completes their national tour that spotlights Monterey Wine Country
Monterey, CA – May 27, 2004 - Eighteen wineries from Monterey County collaborated to showcase their best to the media and the trade in the annual Monterey Wine Country spring tour. The group traveled to Boston on May 4th, New York on May 6th, and Los Angeles on May 25th.
“What a success!” stated Rhonda Motil, Executive Director of MCVGA. “Each year we select new cities to visit with the intent of heightening the visibility of the wines from our region. We were right on target with selecting Boston, New York, and Los Angeles in 2004. These markets definitely appreciate the caliber of award winning wines that are coming out of Monterey County, as well as the uniqueness that we represent in terms of being a wine destination.”
“Our guests had the chance to experience the diversity of the wines produced in Monterey County and our members that went on tour had an impressive roster of media, distributors, restaurants, and retailers to network with,” continued Motil. “This event was a win-win for everyone.”
As in previous tours, this year’s Monterey Wine Country Tour presented an opportunity for the media to enjoy an intimate luncheon, hosted by a touring winery participant. The media were seated with a host winemakers and/or winery owners for an enticing meal of freshly prepared foods paired with select Monterey County wines. Immediately following the lunch, the media were able to visit the tables of other winery participants and sample a complete tasting from all of the tour participants. Later in the day, a trade tasting was held for restaurants, hotels, retailers, and distributors. The events were conducted at The Exchange Conference Center in Boston, The Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center, and The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Monterey County Wine Tour participants included Phil Franscioni, Winemaker of Arroyo Seco Vineyards; Rob Baker, Marketing Director of Bernardus; Mike Duerr, Sales Manager at Bernardus; Dennis Hill, Winemaker at Blackstone Winery; Linda Parker, Public Relations Manager, of Blackstone Winery; Michael Leven, Winemaker for Carmichael Vintners; Robert Brower, Proprietor for Chateau Julien Wine Estates; Chris Todd, Winemaker at Estancia; Bob Denney, Proprietor of Hames Valley Vineyards; Nicole McPherson, Marketing Director of Hames Valley Vineyards; Jerry Lohr, Owner of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines; Jeff Meier, Vice President of Winemaking of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines; Cara Morrison, Winemaker for Jekel Vineyards; Phil Tartaglione, Regional Manager, at Lockwood; Joel Burnstein, Owner and Winemaker of Marilyn Remark Winery; Doug Meador, Owner of Ventana Vineyards/Meador Estates; Claude Hoover, COO of San Bernabe Vineyard and Cheryl Indelicato, Manager of Monterey Sales, Events, and Hospitality at Monterra: Brian Bengard, Director of Sales and Marketing for Parkfield Vineyards; Dave Muret, Director of Marketing at Paraiso Vineyards; David Dennigmann, Director of Sales and Marketing for Pessagno Winery; Christian Tudor, Owner and General Manager of Tudor Wines; Dan Tudor, Winemaker, of Tudor Wines; and Karl Wente, Winemaker for Wente Vineyards.
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 65 vintners and growers in Monterey County. To find out additional information about the members of MCVGA please call 831-375-9400 or visit online at www.montereywines.org
