SAN FRANCISCO May 10, 2001 - California vintners will showcase a record 128 California wine brands at the world's largest wine trade show, VINEXPO, being held in Bordeaux, France, on June 17-21, 2001. The wineries ship half their wine exports to Europe, therefore, VINEXPO is considered a key meeting place for contacting new and existing clients in this market because the event attracts 50,000 buyers, industry trade representatives and journalists from 120 countries. Winery participation in major international trade shows such as VINEXPO continues to bolster total U.S. wine exports, which were valued at $560 million in 2000, nearly quadruple the export revenues from a decade ago. Ninety percent of U.S. wine exports are from California.
"Greater participation in the global marketplace by California wineries reflects the growing success that our industry is having with the international consumer," said Wine Institute's European Marketing Director Paul Molleman, who is organizing winery participation in the California Pavilion at VINEXPO. "Many excellent opportunities exist for even greater wine export sales," he explained.
California vintners once again will be bringing back a full-scale, world-class restaurant at VINEXPO: the California Grill. It is reputed as the best wine and food experience at the exhibition and an expected sell-out each day. California wineries use the grill to host important clients and show them California cuisine and California wines while conducting major business. The first-rate wine and food, served amidst thematic restaurant dŽcor, have created a positive image for the California wine industry that expresses its energy and artistic freedom.
The theme for this year's California Grill is "2001 Odyssey." Restaurant guests will dine surrounded by a futuristic setting. A cosmos with sun, moon, stars and a rocket ship will create a contemporary backdrop, with experienced wait staff costumed in space-age uniforms.
"California is renowned for its state-of-the-art technology, cutting-edge lifestyles and trend-setting wine and food," said Axel Fabre of Axel-An International Epicurean Connection and producer of the grill. "The grill will bring to life these aspects of California innovation, and the high quality of our dining experience will transport guests to new heights in California wine and food enjoyment. It will truly be a feast for all the senses!"
The creation of the California Grill is a unique production in itself. It is literally built overnight onsite and staffed by a talented team of professionals from the U.S.A. Early each morning, the culinary team handpicks the day's menu ingredients from the fresh food suppliers of Bordeaux's local open-air marketplace. The focus on high-quality raw materials has led the team to nurture relationships with a network of these local suppliers throughout the years. Seasonal produce and ingredients are then skillfully prepared using classical cooking techniques and international spices-the basic philosophy of California cuisine. The light, modern and distinctive dishes that often use bold and exotic combinations of food are then paired with California's innovative wines.
Leading the production of the 1,000 meals served at the grill are Executive Chef Peggy Smith, former chef of Chez Panisse CafŽ in Berkeley, California, and current co-owner of Tomales Bay Food in Point Reyes Station, California, and Artisan Cheese Shop in San Francisco; as well as Chef Evan Shively, former chef at Olivetto in the San Francisco Bay Area. Overseeing service is Sylvie Laly-Darr, former manager of the Zuni CafŽ in San Francisco and Vida in Los Angeles, and current partner/general manager of Bouchon Restaurant in Hollywood. Joining the team again is hostess Lori Julia, a seasoned professional and long-time associate of the grill.
California wineries that are sponsoring the California Grill will have their wines featured on the wine list. Additional sponsors of the California Pavilion are wine brokerage firm Joseph W. Ciatti Co., C.E. John International, United Airlines and Riedel Crystal.
The Wine Institute's International Department organizes winery participation in key wine trade shows as well as conducts educational seminars and visitor programs to acquaint media and trade representatives about California wines. The Institute also plays a major role in international trade policy to gain greater access to global markets. Joseph Rollo is director of Wine Institute's International Department. Paul Molleman is European Marketing Director. Monica Panek, assisted by Elaine Lou, manages the administration of international programs. Ann Pemberton is manager of winery programs, and Diane Berardi is department assistant.
Vinexpo 2001
Wineries in the California Pavilion
Alban Vineyard Estate
Alderbrook Vineyards
AVV
Ballentine Vineyards
Barefoot Cellars
Bell Wine Cellars
Black Ridge
Bogle Vineyards
Bonny Doon Vineyard
Bronco Wine Company:
Estrella
Forest Glen
Forestville
Montpellier
Cain Vineyard & Winery
Cakebread Cellars
Cal Italia Vineyards
California Mountain Vineyards
California Old Vine Estate
California Wine Company:
Bandiera Winery
Stonegate Winery
Cartlidge & Browne Winery:
Manzanita Canyon
Chateau Julien Wine Estate
Chimney Rock
CK Vineyards
Clos du Napa
Clos du Val Wine Company
Cottonwood
Cuvaison Winery
Delicato Family Vineyards:
Monterra
De Loach Vineyards
Dry Creek Vineyards
Duckhorn Vineyards
E & J Gallo Winery
Far Niente
Firestone Vineyards Flora Springs Wine Co.
Foppiano Wine Company:
Foppiano Vineyards
Fox Mountain
The Riverside Collection
Franciscan Estates:
Estancia Estates
Franciscan Oakville Estate
Mount Veeder
Ravenswood
Simi Winery
Fritz Vineyards
Frog's Leap Winery
Germain Robin Alambic Brandy
Glass Mountain Wines
Golden State Vintners:
Diamond Grove
Edgewood
Monthaven
Summerfield
Weston
Guiness/UDV:
Beaulieu Vineyards
Blossom HIll
Glen Ellen Winery
Heck Estates:
Kenwood Vineyards
Lake Sonoma Winery
Valley of the Moon Winery
Hunter Ashby Wine
Ironstone Vineyards:
Cinnamon Grove
Hidden Creek
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Justin Vineyards & Winery
Konsgaard
Kunde Estate Winery
Landmark Vineyards
Lockwood Vineyards
Mandolin
Marietta Cellars
Markham Vineyards
McDowell Valley Vineyards
Merryvale Vineyards
Morgan
Mumm Napa Valley
Murphy-Goode
Napa Vista
Niebaum-Coppola Estate
Parducci Wine Estates
Peachy Canyon
Peak Wines International:
Canyon Road
Geyser Peak
Peju Province
The Point
Prodigy
Pyramid Lake
Quady Winery
Quail Creek
Quail Ridge
Renaissance Vineyard & Winery
Ridgewood
Rutherford Hill Winery
St. Supery Vineyards & Winery
Sean Thackrey
Seghesio Family Vineyards
Shafer Vineyards
Silverado Vineyards
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Sterling Vineyards
Stonehedge Winery
Thorny Bay
Tower Grove Vintners/Barnwood Vineyards/Laetitia Vineyard & Winery
Trefethen Vineyards
Trinchero Family Estates:
Montevina Winery
Sutter Home Winery
Trinchero Family Estates Winery
Trinity Oaks Vineyard
Ventana Vineyards & Winery
Viader Vineyards & Winery
Villa Mount Eden
Walker's Pass
Whitehall Lane Winery
The Wine Group:
Corbett Canyon
Foxhorn
Franzia
Additional California Wineries at VINEXPO with booths outside California Pavilion:
Beringer Blass Wine Estates
Canandaigua Wine Company:
Arbor Mist
Dunnewood Vineyards Estate Cellars
Mystic Cliffs
Nathanson Creek
Paul Masson
Talus
Vendange
Dolce Far Niente:
Kendall-Jackson International Wine Estates:
Camelot
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates
La Crema Winery
Robert Pepi
Robert Mondavi Winery
St. Supery Vineyards and Winery
Sterling Vineyards/Cuvee Napa by Mumm/Monterey Vineyard
Wente Vineyards
Sponsors of the California Pavilion:
Joseph W. Ciatti Co., Inc.
C.E. John International
Riedel Crystal
United Airlines
