02/05 WENDY EACHUS , Wine & Chocolate Weekend, JEFF KNAPPER, CLYDESDALES, NICK FREY, SONOMA COUNTY WINE COMMISSION

WENDY EACHUS - "Wine & Chocolate Weekend"

The Madera Vintners Association’s family wineries are proud to present the Madera Wine Trail’s “Wine and Chocolate Weekend” on February 9th and 10th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sample a wide variety of local wines, as you visit each participating winery on the Madera Wine Trail. On this special weekend, you will also enjoy chocolate pairings, live music, local art and delicious food! Take home some wine to share with loved ones and friends on Valentine’s Day! Designated Drivers are always welcome on the Madera Wine Trail, and they are always free of charge! Please notify the check-in table at your first stop on the Trail to receive your complimentary pass.  Tickets for the two day wine tasting event are $25 in advance through February 8th only, and can be purchased online or at participating locations. Tickets may be purchased the weekend of the event at participating wineries for $30.


JEFF KNAPPER - CLYDESDALES MANAGER
          

On Super Bowl Sunday, the Budweiser Clydesdales  appeared in a new 60-second spot that chronicles the bond a Clydesdale foal shares with his trainer. The newest member of the Clydesdale family, a 150-pound foal born on Jan. 16, is featured in the ad and was just seven days old on the day of filming.  USA TODAY among others announced it as the best ad of the game. The foal has yet to be named, because Budweiser asked its Twitter followers and Facebook friends to help name the young equine star, who will be seen by an estimated 100 million+ viewers during Super Bowl XLVII. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, Jeff Knapper, Anheuser-Busch’s general manager of Clydesdales operations, will be available to discuss the foal’s appearance in what is expected to be one of this year’s most popular Super Bowl ads. He will also announce the name of the foal. The interview will be live from Warm Springs Ranch, a 300-acre breeding facility for the Clydesdales in Boonville, Mo., and the foal will be on the set.


NICK FREY – SONOMA COUNTY WINE COMMISSION

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was established in 2006 as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCWC’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world. The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission will hold the 14th Annual Sonoma County Regional Pruning Contests in five viticulture appellations, February 5 - 13, 2013. The first and second place winners from each Sonoma County American Viticulture Area (AVA) will advance to the Sonoma County Championship to be held on February 22, at SRJC Shone Farm. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. All events are free and open to the public. RSVP to attend the County Championship by February 17 to: www.sonomawinegrape.org/pruning-championship