For Immediate Release
Rhonda Motil
MCVGA
831-375-9400
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Monterey County, CA- March 7, 2005 - Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association (MCVGA) takes award-winning wines on the road to showcase Monterey Wine Country
Monterey, CA – The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association (MCVGA) is pleased to announce that more than 25 wineries from Monterey County will be collaborating to showcase the fruit of their vines to the media, trade, and consumers in the annual Monterey Wine Country Spring Tour. All proceeds from the tour will benefit local non-profit organizations in each city.
Representatives from Monterey County will travel to San Diego on March 7th, Houston on March 30th, and Dallas on April 1st and 2nd.
“Each year we select new locations to visit with the intent of showcasing the bounty and quality of Monterey County wines. In our third year, we chose San Diego, Houston and Dallas because of the growing influence of these markets and the appreciation for the caliber of wines produced from the 75 vintners and growers in Monterey County,” said Rhonda Motil, Executive Director of MCVGA.
MCVGA toured Atlanta and Chicago in 2003; and Boston, New York and Los Angeles in 2004. “Our previous tours were immensely successful for the participating wineries as a venue to present their wines to both regional and national media. The tour also provides a great opportunity to present our wines to the trade, and ultimately to the consumers.”
The new San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Drive, Suite 120, will host the San Diego tour stop on March 7th. The event will include a press and trade tasting from 2 – 5 p.m. and a consumer tasting from 6 – 9 p.m. The press and trade tasting is complimentary for all qualified media and trade representatives. The consumer tasting is $25 per person and all proceeds benefit hospitality education scholarships at San Diego State University and the American Institute of Wine and Food. The San Diego Chapter of the California Restaurant Association and localwineevents.com are also sponsors of the event.
The Downtown Aquarium Restaurant, 410 Bagby Street, in Houston will be the host site of the tasting on March 30th. The event will include a press and trade tasting from 2 – 5 p.m. and a consumer tasting from 6 – 9 p.m.. The press and trade tasting is complimentary for all qualified media and trade representatives. The consumer tasting is $25 per person and all proceeds benefit hospitality education scholarships at the Houston Restaurant Association and the Conrad Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management at the University of Houston. Proceeds will also benefit the Houston Food Bank. Additional sponsors of the event include 002 Magazine and localwineevents.com.
The Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora Street, has been selected as the host facility in Dallas on April 1st for a strolling luncheon for the press and trade. The luncheon will take place from Noon to 3 p.m. and is complimentary for all media and trade. KERA Unlimited and the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association are the hosts of the event.
On April 2nd, in conjunction with the Dallas Wine & Food Festival, Monterey wineries will be featured during the “Entertaining with Style” event at the Decorative Center Dallas. The event is from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and admission is $35 per person. The event benefits Farmers Market Friends.
"I’m thrilled to participate again in the MCVGA tour, now in its third year. The national tour has proved a tremendous boost for our vineyard in the exposure to the wine industry, media and consumers in major markets. Not only have we been able to showcase our wines, but the tour has raised the awareness of the magnificence of all that Monterey County has to offer – famous scenery, golf, restaurants, and world-class wines – all of which we are proud," said LuAnn Meador, Owner and Vice President of Ventana Vineyards and Meador Estate.
Monterey County Wine Tour participants include: 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.
Reservations can be made by contacting The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association at 831.375.9400 or at www.montereywines.org. As space is limited, reservations are encouraged.
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 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
