Press Release Headlines

Judges Fall in Love at Rhone Shootout Finals

New World Rhones Won Hearts and Gold Medals

SEBASTOPOL, Calif., June 27, 2012 — New World Rhones won hearts and a bevy of Gold Medals at the Rhone Shootout Finals held Saturday, June 23rd in San Francisco. Wine Lovers, too, will be seduced by these wines at Romancing the Rhones on July 14, 2012, at The Old Mint in San Francisco.

Wine-loving consumers, press and trade are invited to experience Rhones from California, Oregon and beyond. The Grand Tasting will feature 150+ wines from 40+ Rhone-producing wineries, many small and yet undiscovered.

Barrel Tasting in the Old Mint Vaults offers a peek at how the wine will taste when fully aged. Twenty award-winning Rhone producers will participate.

In a unique format, attendees will blind taste 40 finalists from the 2012 Rhone Shootout, pitting their palates against the experts and voting for their favorites, while enjoying Rhone-friendly culinary delights.

One Brick, a non-profit organization providing volunteers to over 1600 other non-profits nationally, will host an on-site Bottle Shop, where attendees can purchase their newfound favorites. Proceeds benefits One Brick.

Gold Bar VIP Ticket includes Rhone Romance Luncheon at Chez Papa with winemakers Collin Cranor, Nottingham Cellars; Jaime Dowell, Bonny Doon; and Michael Donovan, RoxyAnn; plus Barrel Tasting in the Vaults, Blind Tasting of Rhone Shootout finalists, Grand Tasting and Awards Ceremony ($85).

Silver Dollar Ticket includes Barrel Tasting, early access to Blind Tasting, Grand Tasting and Awards Ceremony ($65).

Rhone Lovers Ticket includes Blind Tasting, Grand Tasting and Awards Ceremony ($45).

Enhance the experience with "Perfect Pairings": 8 succulent wine and 8 brilliant bites ($20 in advance).

ROMANCING THE RHONES SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

  • Rhone Romance Winemakers Luncheon – 11:30AM-1:00PM (Gold Bar Ticket only)
  • VIP Barrel Tasting: 12:30 PM-2PM (Silver Dollar and Gold Bar tickets)
  • Blind Tasting of Rhone Shootout Finalists: 1PM-3:30PM
  • Grand Tasting & Awards Ceremony: 2PM-4:30 PM
  • Awards Ceremony: 4PM
  • Large format bottle raffle: 12:30PM-4PM

Sponsors and Partners: Rhone Rangers, GSO, Bottlenotes, Dining Around/NewsTalk 910, Sour Flour, Trois Petit Cochons, Chez Papa, We Olive, and One Brick.

Buy tickets NOW
Prices Increase July 1

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information, visit: Affairs of the Vine

Journalists may contact Barbara Drady: Email, 707-874-1975

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