For Immediate Release
Rhonda Motil
MCVGA
831-375-9400
Monterey Wine Country Makes its Mark in San Diego, Houston, and Dallas
Vintners from Monterey enjoy a successful national tour in influential markets
Monterey County, CA - Twenty-four wineries from Monterey County collaborated to showcase their best to the media, trade and consumers during the annual Monterey Wine Country spring tour. The group visited San Diego on March 7th, Houston on March 30th, and Dallas on April 1st and 2nd. More than 2,000 people were exposed to Monterey Wine Country as a result of the tour and an estimated $17,000 will be given back to charitable causes in the cities that were visited.
“Californians and Texans definitely appreciate the quality of Monterey County wines! We were overwhelmed by the warm responses that we received in each of the cities,” stated Rhonda Motil, executive director of MCVGA. “All of these markets have a growing trade base and the consumers were eager to explore the diversity of the wines that are coming from the Monterey region. Both of these factors contributed to incredible events in markets that we felt were perfect for developing a greater presence of our wines. Of all of the tours that we have done in the past, this was definitely the most successful.”
Each city kicked off with a trade tasting that was held for restaurants, hotels, retailers, and distributors. The tastings concluded with general audience events. The events were conducted at the new San Diego Wine and Culinary Center in San Diego, The Houston Aquarium Restaurant in Houston, and the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas. The vintners also partnered with the Dallas Wine & Food Festival for the Decorating with Style Event that was held at Decorative Center Dallas.
"The Monterey Wine Country Tour was indeed a fun and very educational experience. Not only was the price of admission a great value to sample so many different varieties of wine, but it was a great opportunity to meet the winemakers face-to-face and learn about the processes they used to craft their wines. I learned so much about wine at the event and will definitely look for my favorite Monterey vineyards on wine lists in the future," commented Houston guest Leisa Holland-Nelson, Director of Organizational Development at Yaffe/Deutser.
Monterey County Wine Tour participants included Arroyo Seco Vineyards, Bernardus Vineyards and Winery, Blackstone Winery, Carmel Road Winery, Carmichael Vintners, Chateau Julien Wine Estates; Estancia Winery, Galante Vineyards, Hahn Estates / Smith & Hook Winery, J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, Jekel Vineyards, Joullian Vineyards, Lockwood Vineyard, Marilyn Remark Winery, Monterra, Morgan Winery, Paraiso Vineyards, Parkfield Vineyards, San Saba Vineyards, Silver Mountain Vineyards, Tudor Wines; Ventana Vineyards / Meador Estate Wines and Wente Vineyards.
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Vice President of Winemaking Jeff Meier observed, “The enthusiasm from the San Diego and Texas markets’ desire to learn more about wines emerging from Monterey was refreshing. Both the trade and consumer tastings generated many keen questions about specific varietals specific to Monterey, and in J. Lohr’s case, the Arroyo Seco appellation, which afforded us the opportunity to discuss the soil, climatic and other conditions that bring about the best flavors in our wines.”
Proceeds from each of the consumer events benefited local organizations. A special emphasis was placed upon scholarship programs for students in the discipline of hospitality management, as well as local causes that combat hunger. The San Diego State University hospitality scholarship program, the San Diego Chapter of the American Institute of Wine and Food, the University of Houston hospitality scholarship program, Houston Restaurant Association scholarship program, the Houston Food Bank, and the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association scholarship program were all financial beneficiaries from the events.
"The MCVGA not only chose Dallas as one of only three cities in the U.S. for their Spring Tour to showcase their excellent wines," said Tracey Evers, executive director of the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association (GDRA), "but they also made an important contribution while they were here. We're very grateful for their generous donation of two student scholarships for our new GDRA Fund for Hospitality/Culinary Arts Education, Developing Industry Leaders of Tomorrow. Dallas has become a restaurant destination city and we are extremely receptive to excellent wines and foods from across the country and the world. Monterey County offers a bounty of exceptional wines, beautiful vistas and good people as well."
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 members' leadership in the art, the science and the business of wine. MCVGA is a non-profit organization representing over 75 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
