HAVANA, CUBA—When a jaunty contingent of California winemakers gathered in Havana last week to make history at Cuba’s first trade show of American wine, the Yankees brought with them gift copies of The California Directory of Fine Wineries to leave with their congenial Cuban hosts.

“For me this was the ultimate honor,” said Tom Silberkleit, award-winning publisher for Sonoma’s Wine House Press, the firm that has produced the Fine Wineries series since 2003. “That the California delegation felt our book best represented the magic and allure of California’s wine- growing regions and appellations to the Cuban sommeliers, distributors and private restaurant owners is very satisfying. Our whole editorial team is thrilled to play even a small role in this historic international gathering to help promote the exportation of California’s world-class wines.”

The California Wine Symposium brought together the California Wine Institute with the Napa Valley Vintners and Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers associations in an effort to foster connections between winemakers and the Cuban hospitality industry. Coordinated by U.S. Cava Exports founder and CEO Darius Anderson, who’s been working for the past two years to assist California growers in negotiating contracts to export California agricultural products to Cuba, the symposium reflects the recent diplomatic thaw between the USA and Cuba that has brought increased tourism and North American interest in commerce with the island nation.

The California Directory of Fine Wineries, now in its 7th edition for Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino, is one of the region’s most popular and widely recognized travel guides. Digital e-Book formats for iPad and Kindle are also available. For more information visit www.Californiafinewineries.com or call Wine House Press at 707-996-1741.