4th Annual Merlot in May

[Craig Camp]

Press Release Source: Sterling Vineyards

Big Plans for Merlot in May '03

Thursday March 20, 2:45 pm ET

CALISTOGA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 2003--Winery registrations continue for the 4th annual Merlot in May and organizers are impressed by the large and immediate response by Merlot producers from around the world. The one-day festival plans to accommodate 130 wineries and hundreds of wine enthusiasts for an extensive Merlot wine tasting and an expanded activity program that will include chef demonstrations and food and wine pairing opportunities.

Merlot in May 2003 will be held on Friday, May 16, 2003 at Sterling Vineyards, 1111 Dunaweal Lane, in Calistoga. A trade and media tasting will take place from 10 -12 p.m., followed by the 2-6 p.m. public tasting. There is no charge to participating wineries. General admission tickets to the public tasting cost $35.

Organizers have expanded the 2003 focus of Merlot in May to emphasize the wine's food friendliness and versatility with a variety of fare. In partnership with the Viking Range Corporation and the Gene Schick Company, a Viking Festival Kitchen will accommodate several live demonstrations of both traditional and more exotic Merlot friendly foods throughout the afternoon event. Festival organizers are currently in negotiation with several presenting chefs, soon to be named. In the wine tasting tent an additional roster of chefs and local artisanal food producers will sample a range of fare.

"This is a great event for local vintners, and I'm delighted by the response in 2003. It gives winemakers, like me, a chance to get out of the cellar for a day, catch up with colleagues and sample a really comprehensive, competitive range of Merlots...and adding a food pairing element just seems like a natural partnership," says Sterling's Director of Winemaking, Robert Hunter.

Registration continues through the end of March, the following wineries are currently scheduled to participate at Merlot in May 2003:

A. Rofanelli Winery

Adobe Creek Vineyards

Bartholomew Park

Barton & Guestier

Beaulieu Vineyard

Bellarine Estate

Beringer

Blackstone Winery

Cedar Mountain Winery

Ceja Vineyards

Charles Creek Vineyard

Chateau Bourgneuf

Chateau Canon Moueix

Chateau La Grave a Pomerol

Clos du Val

Clos Pegase

Columbia Winery

Covey Run

Crystal Valley Cellars

Delicato Family Vineyards

DeLoach Vineyards

Domaine Danica

Dunnewood Vineyards

Fenestra Winery

Fife Vineyards

Flora Springs

Forth Vineyard

Fox Creek

Franciscan Oakville Estate

Frei Brothers Reserve

Frick Winery

Gainey Vineyard

Gargiulo Vineyards

Gloria Ferrer

Grgich Hills Cellar

Gundlach Bundschu Winery

Kelham Vineyards

Lambert Bridge

Lindemans

Liparita Cellars

Lolonis Winery

Louis M. Martini Winery

Mason

Merriam Vineyards

Merryvale Vineyards

Metropolitan Wines

Monterra

Monticello Vineyards

Mulholland Vineyard

Murphy-Goode Winery

Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery

Pedroncelli Winery

Peju Province Winery

Pellegrini Family Vineyards

Penfolds

Peterson Winery

Pezzi King Vineyards

Pope Valley Winery

Porcupine Ridge

Rios-Lovell Winery

Robert Keenan Winery

Robledo Family Winery

Rosemount Estate

Rosenblum Cellars

Rust Enverde

Rutherford Grove

Rutherford Ranch

Saddleback Cellars

Santa Rita

Sawyer Cellars

Silver Rose Cellars

Spice Route

St. Clement

St. Supery Vineyards & Winery

Sterling Vineyards

Sullivan Vineyards

Talus

Thomas Coyne Winery

Thomas Fogarty Winery

Trinchero Winery

Tristant Vineyards

Villa Maria

Wild Horse Winery

Wilson Winery

Windsor Vineyards

For more information or to register to participate please contact Balzac Communications, ph: (800) 709-7667, fax: (707) 255-1119, or e-mail klewis@balzac.com. General admission tickets are available for purchase online after March 31, 2003.

Merlot in May is sponsored annually by Sterling Vineyards as a public adjunct of the International Merlot Conference, a biennial wine industry forum. The IMC and Merlot in May are dedicated to expanding the knowledge of, and appreciation for Merlot in the world wine community.

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