100 Percent Cork Survey Reveals That Cork Closures Seal 91 Percent of the World’s Top Wines

January 11, 2022 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – According to a recent survey conducted on behalf of 100% Cork and APCOR (The Portuguese Cork Association), 91 percent of the world’s top wines selected by Wine Spectator in 2021 are sealed with cork closures. The survey also revealed that of the 33 domestic wines selected, 31 were sealed with cork (94 percent), while 60 of the 67 imported wines that made the Wine Spectator list were also sealed with cork closures (89.5 percent).

100% Cork has conducted surveys of the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 every year since 2016, with cork closure usage historically ranging from between 84% to 90% of the wines selected for the list. 2021 represents the highest number recorded since tracking began.

“Given the incredible natural properties of cork, it makes sense that the majority of the best wines from around the world are sealed with cork,” says Carlos de Jesus, operational director of the InterCork program of APCOR. “Its lightness, elasticity, carbon sequestration, and ability to provide consistent oxygen transfer to help with wine’s evolution, are just a few of cork’s characteristics.”

Cork closures continue to be the market leader for the wine market in the U.S., highlighted by significant growth in both sales and market share over the past decade. Between 2010 and 2020, case sales of cork finished wines among the top 100 premium brands increased 97 percent compared to 6 percent for alternative closures, according to Nielsen. During the last ten years, market share of premium cork finished wines jumped from 47 percent to 67.6 percent.

Natural cork closures have a negative carbon balance when used to seal wines bottled in glass containers, according to recent studies conducted by three of the world’s largest auditing companies. A single stopper has a balance of up to – 309 grams of CO2; numbers for sparkling wine stoppers go even higher at up to – 589 grams.

As a renewable and natural product, cork is harvested without damaging or cutting down the trees, which live for 200 years or longer. During its lifetime a cork oak tree can absorb 20 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere while producing up to 65,000 corks. Through sustainable harvesting, the cork industry is helping to fight climate change by preserving Europe’s largest oak forests from deforestation, while also providing high-paying jobs for agricultural farmers.

Since 1988, Wine Spectator has released its annual Top 100 list, selecting the best wines from the thousands reviewed during the year. According to the magazine, the criteria used to create this highly-regarded, annual list focus on quality, value, availability and excitement.

The information collected in this survey was conducted through individual phone calls and emails to the wineries, importers and distributors listed in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List of 2021.

For more information about APCOR, visit http://www.apcor.pt and http://www.100percentcork.org. You can follow APCOR and the 100% Cork campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For questions about APCOR, please contact Augustus Weed or Leah Isenberg at Colangelo & Partners.

About 100% Cork
100% Cork is an educational communications campaign about wine cork stoppers. The mission of the campaign is to provide the wine industry and consumers with the latest information and research on the benefits of natural cork. The campaign was established by the Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) with support from the Cork Quality Council to increase awareness of the unique qualities and sustainability of natural cork.

About APCOR
Associação Portuguesa da Cortiça (APCOR) exists to represent and promote the Portuguese cork industry and its products. APCOR is the employers’ association of national scope, created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, at the heart of the cork industry around 30 kilometers from Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing or export of cork products. The organization advocates on behalf of the Portuguese cork industry worldwide and is the driving force of an industry based on tradition, innovation and sustainability.

Slow Wine Announces Its 2022 Us Tour, Welcoming New Wineries From Italy And The United States

January 6, 2022 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The acclaimed Italian wine organization, Slow Wine, announces the return of its annual multi-city event series in the United States. The series celebrates the publication of the international 2021 Slow Wine Guide, which originated in Italy as the sustainable beverage branch of the Slow Food movement. Events will be held in San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Miami, and New York, between January 24th and February 2nd, 2022.

Photo: from Slow Wine Guide’s Facebook.

The Guide’s Italian wine section continues to grow substantially, as more environmentally-focused wine producers join their peers in the Slow Wine movement. A total of 1,958 Italian producers are featured in the Guide this year. Slow Wine’s United States membership has also grown significantly, guided by US Editor and esteemed wine educator, Deborah Parker Wong, and her team of dedicated field coordinators. For the first time ever, the United States portion of the 2021 Guide will stand on its own as an individual publication, separate from the Italian wineries, boasting 285 wineries from California, Oregon, Washington and New York. Slow Wine is keeping this format for the upcoming 2022 edition, published by Goff Books.

The Slow Wine Tour will be back on the road in the United States in early 2022, thanks to the dedication of the guide’s Editor in Chief, Giancarlo Gariglio, and his team. The tasting events will showcase more than 75 wineries from Italy and the United States, welcoming hundreds of wine professionals in San Francisco (January 24th), Seattle (January 25th), Austin (January 27th), Miami (January 31st), and New York (February 2nd). Slow Wine will be one of the first international wine organizations to host a large-scale event series in the country post-Covid-19, continuing its vision of uniting the Italian and American wine industries through clean viticulture.

The mission of Slow Wine, a non-profit organization, is to promote “good, clean, and fair” wines, in a time when climate change has never been more evident nor more threatening to winegrowers and winery owners. In a further commitment to sustainable agriculture, Slow Wine partner wineries have signed a Manifesto created by the Slow Wine Coalition, a united global network of wine industry members who are dedicated to supporting a wine revolution driven by environmental sustainability, protection of the land, and rural, social, and cultural growth. The Coalition will meet for the first time in Bologna, Italy, from February 26th to March 1st, 2022 during the Slow Wine Fair for four days of conferences and tastings.

In an effort to modernize the Guide and create additional transparency between the wineries and consumers, the 2021 Slow Wine Guide now features unique QR codes for select wineries, which direct readers to video interviews with the winemakers and the Slow Wine editorial team.

About Slow Wine
The Slow Wine Guide evaluates over 2,000 Italian wineries, and over 300 American – including a small selection from Slovenia – and treats each with the utmost respect and attention. The Slow Wine team prides itself on the human contact it has with all producers, which is essential to the guide’s evaluations. While other guides limit their relationship to a blind tasting and brief write-up, Slow Wine takes the time to get personal with each winery in order to create a well-informed, detailed review of the wines themselves and the people behind the production. Slow Wine selects wineries that respect and reflect their local terroir and practice sustainable methods that benefit the environment. For the first time ever, those wineries that receive the snail or the official Slow Wine seal are 100% free of chemical herbicides, a quality that the Slow Wine Guide continues to passionately support.

About Colangelo & Partners
Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine and spirits brands, and has long-established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on “closing the loop” between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results.

Gleason Family Vineyards Santa Barbara County Wine Country Portfolio Acquires Solvang, CA’s Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard

December 30, 2021 by evebushman

Santa Ynez, CA – The Gleason Family Vineyards Santa Ynez Valley portfolio of brands (Roblar Winery and Vineyards, Refugio Ranch Vineyards) has officially announced the December 2021 acquisition of Solvang, California’s Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard (www.ButtonwoodWinery.com), a 106-acre property in the heart of Santa Barbara County wine country.

Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard currently comprises a 42-acre estate vineyard, onsite winery facility, tasting room and gardens, a two-acre orchard, small hop yard, and 10 acres of rotated seasonal produce. The property, founded in 1968 on a principle of sustainability, was first utilized as an equestrian operation, followed by the planting of organic fruits and vegetables, and in 1983, the initial planting of the vineyard.

Originally created by Betty Williams, a founder of The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and an engaged community planning member, Buttonwood’s sustainable vineyard was first planted with a focus on Bordeaux-style wines. The vineyard evolved over time, and small blocks of Grenache Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Grenache, Syrah, Sauvignon Musqué, and Malbec joined the original plantings of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sémillon, and Sauvignon Blanc. The entire vineyard is own-rooted.

Bret Davenport, president and managing partner of Buttonwood, along with his wife Barry Zorthian and partner, Seyburn Zorthian, have been instrumental in furthering Williams’ vision for the Buttonwood property. Williams and Davenport partnered in 1983 with the original planting of the vineyard, continuing in 1989 with the building and bonding of the winery. Seyburn Zorthian has been the designing artist of Buttonwood’s labels since the founding, working from her studio on the property since the early 1970s.

Bret Davenport commented, “It’s been fascinating to review our family’s fifty-plus years here on Buttonwood Farm. We’ve observed the evolution of our wine region, partnered with wonderful people to create special occasions with the land as the backdrop, and enjoyed the wine and food that we grew. My partners and I feel that we are handing over the Buttonwood legacy to the right people, who share our philosophy of preserving the intrinsic character of this special land. We look forward to seeing this new chapter in Buttonwood’s history unfold.”

Kevin Gleason, proprietor of the Gleason Family Vineyard portfolio along with his wife, Niki Gleason, added, “Buttonwood farm and vineyard property is iconic, and the family behind it has such deep roots in this wine region, and in the area’s agricultural community. As a family owned and operated group, this resonated highly with us, and we look forward to becoming new stewards for this land to continue to prosper and evolve.”

In 2004, Niki and Kevin Gleason purchased a Santa Ynez Valley cattle ranch which had been used for grazing for hundreds of years. The 415-acre site, now Refugio Ranch, sits along the northern face of the Santa Ynez Mountains with the Santa Ynez River serving as its northern property border. The Gleasons planted 26 acres of vines in 2006, and produced their first Refugio Ranch Vineyards wines in 2008.

In 2017, the Gleasons purchased Santa Ynez Valley’s Roblar Winery and Vineyards, Royal Oaks Wines, and what was then-Royal Oaks Ranch which, in 2018, became the planting site for the family’s one-acre organic farm, now Roblar Farm. The proprietary farm sparked the introduction of new food menus and summer of 2021, the Gleason Family Vineyards portfolio announced new executive chef and head of culinary operations, Peter Cham, as part of the brands’ concerted expansion of Santa Barbara wine country hospitality experiences.

“Buttonwood fits extraordinarily well into our existing portfolio, not only due to its ideal positioning within the Santa Ynez Valley wine region, but also due to the farm component of the property and the hospitality for which Buttonwood is well known,” said Matthew Bieszard, Gleason Family Vineyards General Manager. He continued, “We are very excited about the possibilities Buttonwood has as a vineyard, farm, brand, and winery, and we look forward to putting the Gleason Family Vineyards touch on each facet of the business.”

Karen Steinwachs, Buttonwood’s winemaker for the past 14 years and one of the region’s trailblazing women winemakers with a double-decade wine industry career, will remain part of the Buttonwood winemaking team. Buttonwood’s winery will continue to operate, with the Gleason Family Vineyards portfolio’s winery facility on the Roblar property serving as the winemaking hub for all brands, led by head winemaker Max Marshak.

Buttonwood Farm Winery and Vineyard, located at 1500 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang, CA, is currently open daily for outdoor wine tasting experiences and bottle purchases, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Advance tasting reservations are recommended.

Roblar Winery and Vineyards, located at 3010 Roblar Avenue (at the intersection of Roblar Avenue and Highway 154), Santa Ynez, CA, is open daily for wine tasting experiences and bottle purchases, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Advance tasting reservations are requested. Chef Cham’s weekly “Bites Menus” are offered Friday through Sunday, and house-made, to-go style sandwiches and salads are available in Roblar’s “bodega” the remainder of the week.

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Roblar Winery and Vineyards

3010 Roblar Avenue

Santa Ynez, CA 93460

Phone: 805.686.2603

www.RoblarWinery.com

Refugio Ranch Vineyards

2990 Grand Avenue

Los Olivos, CA 93441

Phone: 805.697.5289

www.RefugioRanch.com

Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard

1500 Alamo Pintado Roadso
Solvang, CA 93463
Phone: 805.688.3032

www.ButtonwoodWinery.com

About the Gleason Family Vineyards Portfolio

The Gleason Family Vineyards (www.GleasonFamilyVineyards.com) hospitality portfolio is an independent, family owned and operated group of brands which includes Roblar Winery and Vineyards, Refugio Ranch Vineyards, and now, Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard.

The Gleason family’s carefully-selected and meticulously farmed Santa Ynez Valley estate vineyards produce a variety of grapes from Sauvignon Blanc to Roussanne, Grenache to Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon to Syrah, all destined for expertly-crafted wines from the seasoned team of winemaker, Max Marshak, and assistant winemaker, Kat Neenan.

Roblar Winery and Vineyards (www.RoblarWinery.com), 40 acres of grand oak-studded grounds located at the crossroads of the Santa Barbara County towns of Santa Ynez and Los Olivos, offers immersive wine country itineraries for afternoons, overnights, and private events. The property boasts a 5,000-square-foot tasting room and multiple outdoor seating and event areas, and includes the luxe Roblar Farm ranch home, complete with an infinity pool overlooking vineyard views. Celebrate special occasions with an intimate chef’s dinner in the state of the art winery, on the one-acre, organic Roblar Farm, or at the estate’s black-and-white, indoor-outdoor event venue, the Tuxedo Barn. @RoblarWinery

The Los Olivos, CA tasting room for Refugio Ranch Vineyards (www.RefugioRanch.com), built c.1912, served as the warehouse for Pinal-Dome Refining Co. (later Union Oil), where tank cars from the Pacific Coast Railway were filled. The historical, early-1900s warehouse has been preserved, and now features two wine tasting bars, a VIP lounge, and an expansive outdoor deck, one of the largest tasting locations in Los Olivos. The 415-acre Refugio Ranch estate may be toured by appointment, awarding guests with wine tasting by the property’s Upper Pond, with views of the Santa Ynez Valley and San Rafael Mountains. @RefugioRanch

High-altitude vineyards and quality wines: Terra Alta DO reaches new heights

December 20, 2021 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The most southerly DO wine area in the region of Catalonia, Terra Alta is nestled among the mountains, approximately 60 miles south of Tarragona. As mentioned in the name itself, which translates into High Land, Terra Alta has always been forced to face the limits of mountain regions: difficult and rare communication and trade exchanges, as well as limited mechanization and development of secondary and tertiary sectors. This has inevitably shaped the local wine production whose origins date back to Roman times and whose expansion was hampered by the lack of effective trade routes.

In recent years, this background has proven to be a winning combination. Old vineyards, native varieties such as Garnacha Blanca and Morenillo, and small family businesses – along with some coops that have played an important social role during the most difficult years – have secured attention from wine lovers looking for quality, stories and sustainability. Sustainable practices in the vineyards are possible thanks to the hilly terrain and El Cierzo, a local dry wind originating in the Ebro River valley that moderates temperatures during the growing season and prevents mildew disease on the vines. Finally, limestone soils help retain the acidity in white wines and provide red wines with a delicate profile.

All this has led to a renaissance of the region in the last decade, resulting in modern Mediterranean style wines. Terra Alta is now the fastest growing PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) in the region of Catalonia, ranking third as far as consumer preferences among the wines of the Catalan PDO based on a Nielsen study. Fresh and aromatic whites are based mainly on Garnacha Blanca which represents the soul of DO Terra Alta: nowadays, 33% of the world’s White Garnacha is grown in the Terra Alta, a percentage that represents 75% of this grape’s production in Spain. Delicate and fruity reds are produced from Garnacha, Carignan, Tempranillo and Morenillo.

Terra Alta, which gained Picasso’s attention for its imponent landscapes, is now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its cultural heritage is also noteworthy, with two wineries that are part of the so-called wine cathedrals, two modernist jewels located in Pinell de Brai (1918) and Gandesa (1919).

About TASTE THE DIFFERENCE PROGRAM
The program: European quality wines: taste the difference is a project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and PRODECA for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines abroad in China and the US. In order to achieve this objective, the TTD.EU program will organize wine seminars, workshops and b2b meetings both in these countries and in Spain and Italy, inviting wine professionals to join study trips to Europe. The program, realized in the span of three years (2021-2023) aims at creating awareness about European quality wines, in particular Italian and Spanish, which share a long tradition and a high standard of quality.

The beneficiaries: Unione Italiana Vini is the oldest and most commissioned Association of the Italian wine market. It represents cooperative, private and agricultural wine-companies, bottlers, consortia, associations and wine-making machines or wine cellars / laboratory manufacturers, located throughout the Italian territory. Promotora de Exportaciones Catalanas (PRODECA) is a public company established in 1986 and added to the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Government of the “Generalitat de Catalunya.”

Lodi Winegrape Commission Celebrates 30 Years

November 29, 2021 by evebushman

LODI, Calif.– The year 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the Lodi Winegrape Commission – the grower-centric organization which represents 750 winegrowers farming more than 100,000 acres of winegrapes in the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA) spanning California’s northern San Joaquin and Sacramento counties.

Over the past 30 years, the Lodi Winegrape Commission has elevated Lodi’s reputation as a premium winegrowing region amongst core buyers, consumers, trade, and media, while providing support for the region through marketing, education, research, and sustainable winegrowing programs.

Proof of the organization’s decades-long work is reflected in the region itself. Since 1991, Lodi’s acreage under vine has more than doubled, progressing from 39,000 acres to over 100,000 acres. Crop values increased from $80 million to more than $500 million, and the number of wineries expanded from six to 85. Wine-related tourism continues to generate billions of dollars in annual economic impact for the community. The recognized Lodi Appellation has become an indicator of quality on labeled wines, growing from a handful in the 1990s to thousands today.

“The success of the Lodi Winegrape Commission hinges on the support of its winegrowers and wine community,” states Aaron Shinn, Lodi Winegrape Commission board chair. “Collectively, we have excelled at our original objectives to move Lodi forward and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished thus far. In continuing to work together, we have an exciting future ahead of us. The best is yet to come.”

The Commission continues to spur innovation in technology, viticultural practices, and modern thinking while serving as a winegrowing industry thought leader. Its programs and achievements since 1991 are just the beginning of the Commission’s success and contributions to the larger wine industry.

In honor of the accomplishments of its dedicated winegrowers and wine community, the Lodi Winegrape Commission hosted an invitation-only celebration featuring a presentation from California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross on November 17, 2021.

Notable achievements of the Commission over the past 30 years include:

In 2005, creation of the LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing program, now widely regarded as the most comprehensive and rigorous sustainable vineyard certification in the world. What began as a handful of certified vineyards in 2005 has increased to nearly 1,300 certified vineyards and 55,380 certified acres across 16 California Crush Districts, Washington, and Israel. The program was awarded the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) in 2006 and again in 2014.
In 2015, Lodi was honored as Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Wine Region of the Year because of the Lodi Winegrape Commission’s highly visible and successful consumer-facing branding and national marketing campaign.
In 2000, the Lodi Winegrape Commission established the Lodi Wine Visitor Center – one of the industry’s original regional wine education and tasting centers.
In 2006, the Lodi Winegrape Commission was instrumental in establishing seven unique areas or nested AVAs within the greater Lodi AVA: Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse.
In August 2020, the Lodi Winegrape Commission released “Mealybug Biocontrol in California Vineyards” – a video detailing a one-year project with Dr. Kent Daane and a team of Lodi growers who later leveraged the original Western SARE grant into a $1 million BIFS (Biologically Integrated Farming Systems) grant for the study of mealybug biocontrol in Lodi and the Central Coast.
In October 2020, the Commission launched Save the Old Vines – a marketing campaign aimed specifically at the preservation of heritage vineyards. In March 2021, the Commission was one of a handful of leaders asked to speak at the world’s first Old Vine Conference – a movement dedicated to ensuring heritage vineyards a valued and enduring place within the commercial realities of the global wine industry.

About the Lodi Winegrape Commission

Established in 1991, the Lodi Winegrape Commission represents the common interests of Lodi winegrowers with programs in marketing, education, research, and sustainable viticulture. The Commission collectively and effectively promotes Lodi’s vibrant, multi-generational farming community and California’s most dynamic wine region. Comprised of nine commissioners and nine alternates, the board of directors provides direction and input on behalf of the region’s 750 winegrowers. For more information about the Lodi Winegrape Commission, visit lodigrowers.com.

About the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA)

A historic winegrowing region since the 1850s, Lodi is perfectly situated 40 miles south of Sacramento and 90 miles east of San Francisco. Lodi’s Mediterranean climate and distinct soils allow its growers to cultivate 125 winegrape varieties, making Lodi the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States. The region also serves as home to 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.

Lodi is naturally a leader in sustainable viticulture. Created by California farmers and accredited by world-renowned scientists, LODI RULES is America’s original sustainable winegrowing program. Held to a high standard of scientific rigor and excellence, the program emphasizes environmentally and socially responsible practices, while keeping economic feasibility in mind for long-term business success. Today, there are more than 55,000 acres certified throughout California, in Washington, and Israel. For more information about the Lodi AVA or LODI RULES, visit lodiwine.com and lodirules.org.

Charles Woodson & O’Neill Family Wine Scholarship Winners Announced

November 27, 2021 by evebushman

LARKSPUR, Calif. – Jeff O’Neill, O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, and Charles Woodson, Intercept Wines, are pleased to announce and congratulate students Abigail Barnabas and Stella Tuffli, winners of the Charles Woodson & O’Neill Family Wine Scholarship, on their academic excellence and achievement. The scholarships were developed in partnership with Sonoma State University and through the California Community Foundation (CCF), in partnership with California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, to recruit and retain high-achieving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color interested in pursuing a career in the wine industry.

“I’m excited to congratulate Abigail Barnabas and Stella Tuffli on their incredible accomplishments,” comments Jeff O’Neill, CEO of O’Neill Vintners & Distillers. “Our goal is to always support the wine community and nurture the next generation and specifically the BIPOC community. We hope these scholarships will facilitate their passions in the wine industry and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for these outstanding students.”

Abigail Barnabas, eldest of three children, spent the first 16 years of her life in Ethiopia before moving with her family to California in 2018. She is an undergraduate earning a B.S. in electrical engineering from Sonoma State University. Barnabas says, “Winning this scholarship is an exciting opportunity that is going to take away worries of tuition and housing, but also expand my growth and vision and do things I’ve never done before.”

On campus, Barnabas is inspired by mentors at Sonoma State, including Umoja Queens, a mentorship program for students who identify as Black womxn within the Pan African Diaspora to connect with faculty that also identify as Black womxn. Barnabas is working toward her post-graduate goal of strengthening her skills and utilizing electrical engineering to create a more diverse, sustainable, safe, and efficient wine industry. In her spare time, she is an avid reader who enjoys all genres, but especially science fiction.

Tuffli, a Bay Area-native from Concord, California and a wine and viticulture program first-year at Cal Poly, began her degree program this fall. Tuffli was initially drawn to the industry after realizing it could offer worldly experiences and provide an amazing opportunity for expanding her knowledge. Her main area of focus is wine business, and she is working toward a career in wine sales, marketing, and hopefully, starting her own winery. Tuffli is most excited about Cal Poly’s unique viticulture program and the classes in agricultural economics, because it will assist in her goals to learn about business in agricultural communities. “I am very proud of myself for getting this scholarship on my own. [It] really proves to myself that my hard work [has] really paid off, [and] this scholarship also will help my family financially and take the stress away from paying for college.”

“I am honored to support the next generation of BIPOC wine professionals as we strive to create opportunities for diversity within the industry,” comments Charles Woodson, NFL Hall of Famer and owner of Charles Woodson’s Intercept Wines. “Congratulations to both Abigail and Stella as they begin their careers. I look forward to seeing their growth along this journey. Build Your Legend!”

This scholarship, in partnership with the two California universities, will cover 100% of the tuition, and room and board to support both winners over their entire undergraduate college career. The ongoing scholarships will fund one student at each university at a time. O’Neill Vintners & Distillers will provide internships, mentoring, and offer hands-on learning opportunities for scholarship recipients to enhance their college experience in the wine industry.

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Disclaimer: The CCF operates the Charles Woodson and O’Neill Family Wine Scholarship to benefit Cal Poly students. CCF is not affiliated with the University.

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About O’Neill Vintners & Distillers

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers was founded in 2004 by industry veteran and entrepreneur Jeff O’Neill. The vertically integrated winery is one of the fastest-growing wineries in California with a reputation for producing premium-quality wines from the North Coast, Central Coast, and Central Valley. The company’s national brands portfolio includes Line 39, Robert Hall, Harken, Day Owl Rosé, Game Box, Rabble, Accomplice and Charles Woodson’s Intercept. For more information, please visit www.ONeillWine.com.

St. Supéry Estate Celebrates ‘Everyday Heroes’

November 9, 2021 by evebushman

Napa Valley winery pays tribute to community volunteers with an inspirational photo exhibit, virtual tastings and more

RUTHERFORD, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — This autumn through March 2022, St. Supéry, a Napa Valley community leader with a deep commitment to sustainability, will celebrate unsung everyday heroes who make a difference in communities and neighborhoods across the country. Through the #InJoyEverydayHero project, St. Supéry hopes to inspire people to give back and spread joy.

In addition to highlighting the stories of everyday heroes on the winery’s website and social media platforms, St. Supéry will feature local volunteers at the winery in its art gallery with the #InJoyEverydayHero Art Exhibit, curated by Virgie Giles Foundation founders, Topher Delaney and Calvin Chin. This inspirational exhibition of 25 large-scale black-and-white photographs by eight professional visual artists and photojournalists captures each hero in the fields of food security, mental health, animal rescue, youth mentorship and more.

“During the 2020 wildfires, unasked, our neighbors showed up with bulldozers and shovels to cut firebreaks. We lost 98% of our crop but they halted the fire’s progression. We are celebrating these everyday heroes and those around the world who just show up to help,” says Emma Swain, CEO of St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery.

This celebration and multifaceted fundraiser showcases everyday heroes nominated by local nonprofits and captured by noted regional photographers. Nominate your own hero at https://stsupery.com/everydayheroes/ and view the inspiring photographs and stories at the winery and online.

About St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery

St. Supéry, a CHANEL-owned winery, is 100% estate grown and sustainably farmed. It is located in the renowned Rutherford growing region in the heart of Napa Valley. The winery specializes in Sauvignon Blanc and red Bordeaux varietals.

818 Tequila Partners With S.A.C.R.E.D. to Support Agave-Producing Communities in Mexico

November 4, 2021 by evebushman

Fast-Growing Tequila Brand Also Transitions to State-of-the-Art Distillery to Further Sustainability Efforts

LOS ANGELES, /PRNewswire/ — 818 Tequila, the award-winning, sustainable tequila brand founded by Kendall Jenner, announced its partnership with S .A.C .R.E.D. — a nonprofit that supports Mexican communities where heritage agave spirits are made. The rapidly-growing spirits maker has also moved their production to Grupo Solave‘s state-of-the-art distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. 818’s new distillery partner is notable for combining traditional tequila-making methods with environmental-impact innovation. This move allows 818 to continue to scale without sacrificing attention to tradition and sustainability as they roll out across the U.S.

Founded by Lou Bank, S.A.C.R.E.D. (Saving Agave for Culture, Recreation, Education and Development) hosts educational tastings and fundraises to underwrite programs that help replant agave, build libraries, ensure water security and repair damage done by earthquakes. In conjunction with S.A.C.R.E.D., 818 Tequila created the 818 Bricks Program which uses raw, post-production agave fibers, water waste and adobe soil to create bricks that can be used for building local community infrastructure like tasting rooms and schools. S.A.C.R.E.D. helps with brick production, as well as identifies the infrastructure projects for donation that serve as a value-add to local communities.

“I’m honored to work alongside 818 Tequila, especially on making adobe bricks out of agave waste and using those bricks to support Mexican communities,” said Lou Bank, Founder and Executive Director of S.A.C.R.E.D. “It’s our mission to support the people who make agave spirits, in hopes of sustaining the multigenerational wisdom and practices they inherited from their progenitors who made tequila, mezcal, and other heritage spirits. Our goal is to support the communities that are integral to agave production by working with them directly and asking them what they need.”

“As we continue our mission to find actionable ways to support Amatitán and the broader Mexican community where our tequila is produced, we’re honored to work with S.A.C.R.E.D., who has established tremendous relationships with the people producing heritage spirits in the region for generations,” said Mike Novy, 818 Tequila president and COO. “At 818 Tequila, we want to create a new standard for sustainability while also giving back to those who are so integral to our tequila-making process. Establishing a long-term partnership with Lou and his team at S.A.C.R.E.D. to expand upon the incredible work they’ve already done in Mexico really drives our mission.”

Furthering its sustainability initiative with S.A.C.R.E.D., 818 has also transitioned to work with Mexican family-owned Grupo Solave at its state-of-the-art distillery based in Amatitán, Jalisco that will allow the brand to better meet the incredible demand for its spirit. Grupo Solave sets an impressive standard for earth-first tequila production, while maintaining a commitment to traditional methods. The production process at the distillery is powered by waste using biomass boilers, which both extends the life cycle of the agave and reduces CO2 emissions.

Crafted from 100% Blue Weber Agave in Jalisco, Mexico, 818 Tequila comes in three varieties – Blanco, Reposado and Añejo and is available in select markets across the U.S. For more information and to find a local retailer or restaurant partner, visit www.drink818.com.

About 818 Tequila
Founded by Kendall Jenner, 818 Tequila is an award-winning, hand-crafted tequila brand committed to uplifting the women and men who make it. Produced using traditional methods in Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico at a family-owned-and-operated distillery, the brand has won 16 awards across six major industry competitions, including Best Reposado Tequila from the World Tequila Awards; Platinum Award from the SIP Awards; Chairman’s Trophy from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge; Triple Gold from the MicroLiquor Spirit Awards; Top 100 Spirits from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge; Double Gold from the SIP Awards; Gold Medal from the MicroLiquor Spirit Awards; and an Innovation Award from the SIP Awards. Sustainably produced from tequilana weber blue agaves, 818 Tequila features three variations – a Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. For more information follow @drink818 on Instagram or visit www.drink818.com.

About S.A.C.R.E.D.
S.A.C.R.E.D. is a U.S.-based, 501c3 not-for-profit that improves quality of life in the rural Mexican communities where heritage agave spirits are made. Since their founding in 2017, they’ve gifted more than 35,000 agave seedlings to families in Oaxaca who are struggling to access the plants they need because of the explosion in global interest in mezcal. To learn more about this and their other programs, visit sacred.mx

APCOR Partners with San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival® to Promote Environmental Benefits of Cork

November 3, 2021 by evebushman

SAN DIEGO (PRWEB) – The Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) and the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival, one of California’s largest wine and food events, are proud to announce an environmentally-focused partnership to promote the sustainability of cork closures at the 17th annual festival and culinary celebration on November 11-14.

Born out of the shared goal of raising awareness of the biggest ecological issues facing the U.S. wine industry, APCOR and the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival will be implementing a groundbreaking cork recycling initiative throughout the event, a first for the festival. Utilizing the services of ReCork, North America’s largest recycler of corks, the festival will provide festival-wide recycling bins to consumers, and participating wineries across all events. Following the completion of the festival, ReCork will grind down all of the corks collected and provide the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival with a carbon sequestration total to showcase the positive impact that cork recycling had on the environment.

“We are excited to be partnering with APCOR for this groundbreaking cork recycling initiative,” said Michelle Metter, Producer of the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival. “We think it is important to do our part in raising awareness of the environmental impact of corks. By focusing on the education of cork recycling, the festival’s attendees will leave with insight they can pass on to others about cork recycling and sustainability.”

The San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival is an international showcase of the world’s premier wine and spirits producers, San Diego and Baja’s celebrated chefs and culinary personalities, brand experiences and live entertainment. The festival is a 4-day celebration of citywide events, including the Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 13.

APCOR will support the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival’s sustainability efforts with on-site education to help wine lovers learn about the incredible carbon sequestration properties of cork forests, cork closures, and cork as a material in general. Cork is a perfect balance between environmental preservation and sustainable development. It’s harvested without damaging or cutting down cork oak trees, which live for over 200 years. The cork oak forest is one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots, and can retain 14,000,000 tons of CO2 per year. It is estimated that for every ton of cork produced, cork oak forests capture up to 73 tons of CO2. As a renewable and natural product, cork can be recycled to produce a variety of everyday products, and is integral to the continued retention of CO2.

“We are delighted to be working with the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival to launch this first of its kind cork recycling initiative across the culinary celebration, and to support the festival’s goal of raising environmental awareness in its community,” said Joao Rui Ferreira, President of APCOR. “By partnering with one of the country’s premier wine and food festivals, we can educate food and wine lovers about natural cork’s positive environmental impacts, showcasing the intrinsic value of cork as a sustainable and renewable product.”

For nearly two decades, APCOR has been at the forefront of promotional efforts advocating on behalf of natural cork. In 2021, APCOR launched a new integrated communications campaign to promote the environmental benefits of cork, which continues to be the market leader for the premium wine market in the U.S. Natural cork closures have a negative carbon footprint when used to seal wines bottled in glass containers according to recent studies conducted by three of the world’s largest auditing companies. A single stopper has a balance of up to – 309 grams of CO2; numbers for sparkling wine stoppers go even higher at up to – 589 grams.

Working with ReCork, APCOR will be able to help wine lovers around the country learn about the full life cycle of cork closures once they are pulled from a bottle, and highlight the small, but highly impactful ways that wine drinkers can become climate activists through the simple act of recycling cork, starting with this recycling initiative at the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival in November.

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL®
Travel to San Diego and Arrive at Awesome. The 17th Annual San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival is an international showcase of the world’s premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Held November 11-14, 2021 the festival raises funds for culinary, oenology or hospitality scholarships or grants and has awarded over $450,000 to individuals or nonprofits through previous events. Hundreds of wineries, breweries, and spirit companies and San Diego’s top restaurants participated in the 2019 Festival and the SDBWFF is looking forward to showcasing even more talent in 2021. For more information visit http://www.sandiegowineclassic.com. Produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward.

About ReCORK
ReCORK™ creates high-performance, carbon-negative composite materials and components using natural recycled cork. ReCORK™ was launched as a natural wine cork recycling program in 2008 by Canadian footwear company SOLE™. It has since become the largest program of its kind in North America, with an R&D team dedicated to innovation around the cork recycling process. ReCORK’s proprietary material, ReCORK™ Recycled Cork, redefines what’s possible using cork, offering a natural, sustainable, versatile alternative to foams and plastics derived from fossil fuels. ReCORK’s mission is to make petroleum-based foams and plastics obsolete. Learn more at recork.com.

Wine.com Partners with 100% Cork to Promote the Environmental Benefits of Wine Stopper Recycling

October 31, 2021 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – 100% Cork and Wine.com, the nation’s leading online wine retailer, are proud to announce an environmentally friendly partnership to raise awareness of the sustainability and natural benefits of cork closures. In November, Wine.com will launch a national cork promotion that will feature a groundbreaking cork recycling initiative. The sustainability push will coincide with National Recycling Day on November 15, and feature a curated list of cork-sealed wines from some of America’s leading sustainable wine producers who are partnering with 100% Cork. The list of eco-friendly wines is available at wine.com/choosecork.

Photo: 100% Cork Facebook page.

The promotion will include a virtual wine tasting on November 4, with industry leaders in sustainability: Ridge Vineyards (represented by Head Winemaker and COO John Olney), Groth Vineyards & Winery (represented by President and CEO Suzanne Groth), and Willamette Valley Vineyards (represented by CEO and President Jim Bernau). Wine lovers wishing to taste along and learn from these sustainability leaders can register to attend at https://www.wine.com/content/landing/virtual-tastings.

“Sustainability is at the forefront of our minds, as it is for our suppliers and customers,” said Michael Osborn, Wine.com founder and executive vice president. “We are pleased to partner with 100% Cork to educate our customers about the benefits of cork while also offering them an easy way to take action and start recycling immediately.”

The sustainability partnership was born out of a shared goal of addressing some of the most pressing ecological issues facing the wine industry today, and to help build awareness of corks’ intrinsic benefits as a natural and renewable closure. “We are delighted to partner with Wine.com on this groundbreaking cork promotion that will increase accessibility to cork recycling for households across the country,” said João Rui Ferreira, vice-president of The Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR). “By partnering with Wine.com, 100% Cork will be able to inform wine lovers about the many benefits of cork as a natural, renewable and sustainable product. Cork is the highest quality wine closure on the wine market and remains the gold standard for premium wineries around the world.”

At the heart of the 100% Cork and Wine.com partnership will be a first-of-its-kind e-commerce cork recycling initiative. Utilizing the services of ReCORK, Wine.com will provide envelopes made from durable recycled paper for shipping and recycling used cork closures. Each envelope holds up to 55 natural corks and features a QR code that wine lovers can scan to create shipping labels allowing for easy drop off at USPS locations. The QR codes will also provide additional discounts on select premium wines bottled under natural cork on Wine.com, as well as special offers on high-end products made from recycled corks, including yoga blocks, performance footbeds, and footwear at ReCORK and SOLE.

Natural cork closures have a negative carbon footprint when used to seal wines bottled in glass containers, according to recent studies conducted by three of the world’s largest auditing companies. A single stopper has a balance of up to – 309 grams of CO2; numbers for sparkling wine stoppers go even higher at up to – 589 grams.

Working with ReCORK, 100% Cork will help educate wine lovers around the country about the full life cycle of cork closures once they are pulled from a bottle, highlighting the small but highly impactful ways that wine drinkers can become climate activists through the simple process of recycling cork, through its initiative with Wine.com.

About APCOR
Associação Portuguesa da Cortiça (APCOR) represents and promotes the Portuguese cork industry and its products. APCOR is the employers’ association of national scope, created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, at the heart of the cork industry around 30 kilometers from Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing or export of cork products. The organization advocates on behalf of the Portuguese cork industry worldwide and is the driving force of an industry based on tradition, innovation and sustainability.

About Wine.com
Wine.com offers selection, guidance, personalization and convenience not found in stores – helping customers discover the incredible world of wine with confidence. Live chat sommeliers provide friendly advice and customers receive unlimited shipping all year by joining StewardShip. For more information, visit the company’s website at wine.com or download its app in the Apple Store or Google Play.