4th Annual Pinot Days 2008 Grand Festival Returns to San Francisco
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) June 2, 2008
The Bay Area Wine Project is proud to announce the 4th annual Pinot Days San Francisco. Pinot Days brings together more than 190 of the world’s best pinot producers, and over 400 of the best pinots on the market today. A series of educational seminars and special tastings are topped off by The Grand Festival wine tasting Sunday, June 29th, 2008, in the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason in San Francisco. In addition, the Grand Festival also includes a silent auction offering a number of pinots and pinot-related experiences with proceeds benefiting the Tanzanian Women’s Sewing Project, a trade school for destitute African women, the work of which enables these women to sustain themselves and their families, empowering them for economic independence within a system of poverty and disease. Pinot Days Grand Festival is open to the trade only from 11am – 1pm and to the public from 1pm -5pm. Tickets are and are available at http://www.pinotdays.com or call 415-408-3360 for more information.
Pinot Days is designed to allow wine lovers and members of the wine trade to taste a variety of pinots representing every major growing area, including California, Oregon, New Zealand, Australia and Burgundy. From hard-to-find and the most critically acclaimed pinots, patrons explore new producers, find wines they love and can afford, learn more about terroir, clones, and up-and-coming vineyards, all while broadening their experience with this food-friendly varietal. “If you love pinot noir, and I do, Pinot Days is the place to be,” says Gary Pisoni of Pisoni Vineyards. This is a serious wine event that has no pretense; the environment is casual, showcasing the finest of wines without the attitude.
Can’t get enough Pinot in one day? Pinot Days San Francisco also offers several other intimate wine events to taste and learn more about this noble grape. Events include:
Producer Spotlight Tasting June 25, 2008; 6:30pm-9:30pm Golden Gate Room, Fort Mason. Cost 0. This years Producer of the Year Tasting features a night with Kosta Browne. A rare opportunity to join Michael Browne for an evening to hear how Kosta Browne came to be and taste for yourselves what gives it its rock star status. Space is limited.
Winemakers “Table Hop” Dinners June 26, 2008; 6pm – 10pm Isa Restaurant & Jack Fallstaff Restaurant. Cost 0. Meet the Winemakers as they move tables with each dinner course, and enjoy over 14 highly acclaimed pinots, perfectly paired with a four course, pinot-focused dinner. A unique experience to “go deep” with a few winemakers whose wines and personalities are paired with each dinner course.
Seated Focus Tastings June 28, 2008; Golden Gate Room, Fort Mason. Cost per seating.
Three regional focus blind tastings–each features 16 of the best producers’ efforts within the theme. Winemakers field questions, discuss their own wines and the uniqueness of the regions.
Best of Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Rita Hills and Central Coast, 1pm – 3pm
Best of Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley and Santa Cruz, 4pm – 6pm
Best of Russian River Valley and Santa Maria Valley, 7pm – 9pm
Sunday Seminar Series June 29, 2008; 12 noon – 2pm Landmark Building C, Room 235. Cost
Each Sunday Seminar Series has three parts (appellation, vineyard and misto), and each is moderated by professionals well-versed in the topic. Tastings begin with the pouring of 4 wines within the theme while attendees listen to a 10-15 minute lecture, followed by a 10-15 minute question and answer session. Space is limited to 40 per tasting. For complete information and tickets for all events visit http://www.pinotdays.com.
Pinot Days, the first Bay Area wine festival dedicated to Pinot Noir, is produced by the Bay Area Wine Project, a non-profit dedicated to the promotion of pinot noir. Founders Steve & Lisa Rigisich formed the non-profit out of their love for wine, especially Pinot Noir. Joined by friends Eric and Teri White, who help produce Pinot Days, their goal is to create unique and rich experiences for patrons by, featuring Pinot Noir exclusively and involving winemakers and winery owners to do the actual pouring. The Bay Area Wine Project hosts annual wine tasting events in San Francisco, Chicago, & New York. Beyond tasting and events, the organization’s website provides information about and access to wine-related events in the greater Bay Area, wine education opportunities and wine trivia– including articles about outstanding wine personalities, winery profiles, reviews of wine events, restaurant wine lists, formal tastings and more. For more information visit http://www.pinotdays.com.
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Amateur Chefs Strive to Impress Celebrity Palates — Third Annual Rías Baixas Recipe Pairing Contest Launches
New York, NY (PRWEB) September 9, 2008
Will it be bitter, sour, sweet, or tangy? Will it be Indian, Asian, French, or Mexican? Amateur chefs across the country are invited to submit their favorite original recipe for the Rías Baixas Albariño food and wine pairing contest. This year, contestants will try to please the palates of talented celebrity judges including winner of Top Chef Season One, Harold Dieterle and Food & Wine magazine Deputy Wine Editor, Ray Isle. So, put on your little white toque and get cookin’. We dare you.
Although Rías Baixas Albariño wines are traditionally paired with seafood, this delicious grape’s crispness beautifully enhances the flavor of almost any ingredient, giving contestants a wide range of cuisines to match with this chameleon-like wine. Terry Coughlin, General Manager at the upscale New York City Indian Restaurant Tabla declared that “it’s ‘a no-brainer’ for sommeliers to recommend Albariño as the ideal companion with a wide range of dishes.” And it’s true. The cool, white Albariño can be paired with just about any dish from southern fried tandoori chicken to a fennel, fig and fontina pizza (both winning recipes from 2007).
One grand prize winner will receive a ,000 William-Sonoma Gift Card and a dinner for two at Perilla, Top Chef 1st Season Winner Harold Dieterle’s restaurant (valued at 0). Two runners up will each receive a 0 William-Sonoma Gift Card. All three winners will receive a selection of Albariño wines. For featured recipes and more information, contestants can visit http://www.riasbaixaswines.com or gain inspiration from the professionals on the Rías Baixas blog.
Official rules and detailed information can be found at Rías Baixas Albariño Wines Website. Entries will be accepted from July 1, 2008 through October 15, 2008 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. Must be 21 to enter. Void where prohibited.
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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Livermore Valley Winegrowers Host Second Annual Barrel Tasting Weekend March 20-21, 2010
Pleasanton, CA (PRWEB) March 11, 2010
More than 25 Livermore Valley wineries will participate in the regionâs second annual Barrel Tasting Weekend by offering samples of wines still in developmentâdirect from their barrels. Guests with special event wristbands and official glasses will receive at least one barrel sample at each participating winery. Many winemakers will be present to personally pour and discuss their young wines and offer delicious pairings with gourmet appetizers, artisan cheeses, chocolate and nuts.
Barrel tasting provides wine enthusiasts of all experience levels with a fun âsnapshotâ of how wine evolvesâfrom grape to glass. Guests will have the opportunity to pre-purchase some of the barrel wines at a discount, before they are bottled and released to the public (a practice known as buying âfuturesâ). Thirteen different varietals, including the rare Primitivo and Alicante Bouschet and ever-popular Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, will be offered for tasting across the region.
WHEN:
Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21, 2010
Noon to 4:30 p.m. each day
WHERE:
Participating Livermore Valley wineries: Bent Creek Winery, Big White House & John Evan Cellars, Bodegas Aguirre, Cedar Mountain Winery, Charles R Vineyards, Chouinard Vineyards, Concannon Vineyard, Crooked Vine Winery & Stony Ridge Winery, Cuda Ridge Wines, Deer Ridge Vineyards, Eagle Ridge Vineyard, Eckert Estate Winery, el Sol Winery, Fenestra Winery, Garré Vineyard & Winery, La Rochelle Winery, Les Chênes Estate Vineyards, McGrail Vineyards & Winery, Mitchell Katz Winery, Murrieta’s Well, Nottingham Cellars, Page Mill Winery, Tamás Estates, The Steven Kent Winery, Wente Vineyards, White Crane Winery and Wood Family Vineyards
COST:
per person when purchased online at http://www.LVwine.org by March 19
per person at any participating winery during the event
Price includes admission both days, at least one barrel tasting at each participating winery, one official tasting glass and a map of participating wineries
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
925.447.WINE (9463)
http://www.LVwine.org
About Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association:
The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association is a 501 c(6) organization which supports the wineries, growers, and members in the Livermore Valley American Viticultural Area through educational and marketing programs. http://www.LVwine.org
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©Copyright 1997-
, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
