Thursday, February 13, 2014

2/13 KAREN MACNEIL, CAB FEST NAPA VALLEY

KAREN MACNEIL - AUTHOR, JOURNALIST, WINE EDUCATOR & CONSULTANT - CAB FEST NAPA VALLEY

The Stars Align for CabFestNV the Napa Valley’s First Festival Devoted Exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon!

Jeff Bridges, famed Oscar-winning actor, singer and songwriter, is set to headline the CabFestNV Festival Kickoff Concert on Friday, February 28 at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater in Yountville, California. CabFestNV, set for Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2, is the first festival devoted exclusively to Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This spectacular three-day wine weekend will be filled with great Cabernet, keynote presentations by Karen MacNeil, bestselling author of “The Wine Bible,” educational seminars by The Culinary Institute of America, informative panels, exceptional food by noted Chef Cindy Pawlcyn, special perks and surprises, a VIP-exclusive “Cigars & Guitars” post-concert party, and world-class entertainment.

CabFestNV is a three-day celebration featuring more than 100 of the biggest names in the wine industry, as well as the best boutique wineries. Through current and library wine tasting, interesting and informative panels, educational and interactive seminars and keynote presentations, CabFestNV will spotlight the many facets of Cabernet Sauvignon’s complexity and mystique. But there is much more to CabFestNV than just enhancing the appreciation and appeal of Cabernet Sauvignon. CabFestNV is out to also prove that seriously good wine needn’t take itself too seriously… which means the weekend will also be laced with great music from rock to classical, plus VIP events and fun festivities.

The entertainment begins with Jeff Bridges & The Abiders performing a lively mix of country-rock music at the Festival Kickoff Concert on Friday, February 28. Jeff Bridges’ talented daughter Jessie Bridges will open the concert, as well as perform a solo set at the exclusive “Cigars & Guitars” after-party. The VIP after-party, only open to All-Access Ticket holders, will also feature a rare guitar exhibit co-sponsored by the Napa Valley Museum, Cigar Aficionado Magazine’s cigar-sampling tent, great fortified wines and library Cabernets, and a “meet and greet” with Jeff Bridges. The entertainment continues throughout the weekend, including the Saturday night Wine Industry Insiders “Meet-Up & Concert” starring The Silverado Pickups, a very popular “winemaker / musician” band.  This special concert is open to the public for just $10.

CabFestNV will feature more than 100 of Napa Valley’s exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon producers, representing both the enduring tastemakers and the hottest boutiques. A sneak peek at participating vintners reveals that highly sought Cabernet producers such as Silver Oak Cellars, CADE Estate Winery, Gargiulo Vineyards, Crocker & Starr, Trefethen Family Vineyards, Antica Napa Valley, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery, Rocca Family Vineyards, Merryvale Vineyards, Freemark Abbey Winery, Girard Winery and Peju Province Winery are set to participate.

A highlight of the fully-integrated weekend of current and library wine tastings, seminars and panels will be international wine expert and “The Wine Bible” author Karen MacNeil’s interesting and entertaining keynote presentations “What Makes Great Cabernet Sauvignon Great” and “Cab on the Couch” (relaxed and spontaneous conversations with the people behind Napa Valley’s legendary Cabernet).

All CabFestNV ticketholders are invited to complimentary wine tasting receptions during the day on Friday at ten participating wineries by driving the “CabFestNV Kickoff Tasting Circuit,” allowing attendees to sample Napa Valley’s great Cabernet wines at their source.

Ticket prices and packages (available online at www.lincolntheater.org or by calling 707-944-9900)

To get 20% off Two Day and Single Day Grand Tasting Passes...just use the code insider20 at checkout! This code expires on February 17th.

ABOUT KAREN: Karen MacNeil is an American author, journalist, wine educator and consultant based in Napa Valley, and the only person to have won every major wine award in the English language. MacNeil is also the creator and chairman of the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena.

MacNeil has published The Wine Bible, a book 10 years in the making,[2][4] and was the host of a 13-episode PBS series titled Wine, Food and Friends with Karen MacNeil, for which she won an Emmy. The show was done in tandem with the publication of a companion book, Wine, Food & Friends. MacNeil was also wine correspondent on NBC's The Today Show, has published articles in a wide range of publications, and works as a private wine education consultant.