NEW DISCOVERCALIFORNIAWINE.COM WEB SITE
PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE WINE COUNTRY GUIDE
SAN FRANCISCO – Visitors to Wine Institute’s new discovercaliforniawine.com consumer web site can now access a statewide database of California winery tasting rooms open to the public or by appointment, and also search these wineries by region, wine varieties produced, special events, and winery amenities such as gardens, art displays, unique architecture, tours, caves, concerts, restaurants, picnic areas and much more. There are more than 600 wineries on the database and that figure is increasing. In addition to the search capabilities, discovercaliforniawine.com offers pertinent visitor information for each winery listing, including a link to the winery web site, and identifies the winery on a Yahoo! map where visitors can create their own customized winery tour itinerary, complete with driving directions, driving times and a downloadable map.
“The information on the consumer web site conveys the rich cultural and lifestyle attractions of California wine country with educational information on our diverse wine regions and wines throughout the state, as well as personal interviews with some of the industry leaders,” said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, President and CEO of Wine Institute. “The site is a valuable resource for travelers and other individuals seeking information about California wineries and wine.” The database on discovercaliforniawine.com allows visitors to set several parameters for their customized searches using one or all of 34 regions and sub-regions, 21 winery amenities, 43 wine varieties and blends, and 14 different kinds of events. For example, one can find wineries that make Pinot Noir in Sonoma County or Zinfandel in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Search for wineries with tours in Paso Robles, art displays in Santa Barbara or historical wineries in the Sierra Foothills. Want to go to a wine event with food? You can narrow your search to wine and food events in the Napa Valley or any other of the listed wine regions for a designated time frame. Visitors to discovercaliforniawine.com can also find out what happens at California wineries and vineyards during each season of the year, how wine is made and grown, and which wineries embrace sustainable winegrowing practices such as solar energy, green architecture or visitor eco-tours. The site offers tips on touring, how to select and serve wine, pair wine and food, and how to read a California wine label. Wine Institute is the association of 1,100 California wineries and wine-related businesses dedicated to public policy advocacy and enhancing the environment for the responsible consumption and enjoyment of wine. Wine Institute continues to offer member and industry information on its activities, including press releases, at www.wineinstitute.org. Discovercaliforniawine.com is part of Wine Institute’s work to support the economic and environmental health of its communities and the state through its leadership in sustainable winegrowing practices and its initiative to bring visitors to the state by showcasing the wines, cuisine and cultural offerings of the California wine industry. Each year, nearly 20 million tourists visit wine regions throughout California. It is the fourth largest wine producer in the world. In the U.S., two out of every three bottles enjoyed are California wines. Journalists requiring further information can contact communications@wineinstitute.org or 415/512-0151.
