Page 18 - Terroir_2014

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A BACKSTAGE PASS TO NAPA
Attracting more than 1,000 restaurateurs, wine merchants, distributors
and importers, and wine media, all eager to taste and bid on these one-of-
a-kind barrel lots as well as mingle with the winemakers, Premiere Napa
Valley offers a unique social advantage. “It’s a chance to connect with our
vintner friends and remind ourselves why this is such a great business,”
explains Mark Pope, founder and CEO of Bounty Hunter Wine Bar &
Smokin’ BBQ, located in downtownNapa Valley. Glenn Knight, a senior
buyer at the Wine House in Los Angeles, concurs: “What first drew me
to this event was the ability to meet and greet with all the winemakers
and owners from some of the finest wineries in Napa.
Premiere Napa Valley gives us all yet another reason to love Napa
Valley. For the past 17 years, Napa Valley Vintners have held a special,
trade-only event to raise money to benefit the Napa Valley community
in terms of promoting, protecting, and enhancing its appellation and
wines. About 220 vineyards participate, offering incredibly small lots of
between 60 to 240 bottles of wine specially crafted for the occasion—a
solid guarantee that the auction is the only place in the world where you
can acquire these exclusive wines.