2/19/2008 - Napa Valley, CA-The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), non-profit trade association representing more than 300 wineries and its members are set to host wine trade and media this week. All over Napa Valley, excitement is in the air as hundreds of top-tier trade and wine media convene in Napa Valley for the week culminating in Premiere Napa Valley (PNV), the "must-attend" event of the year for retailers and restaurateurs. Founded in 1997, as a one-day event to raise money for the association's mission to promote and protect the Napa Valley Appellation PNV has informally become an active week-long affair as the "buzz" surrounding the event has caused these trade accounts to arrive earlier and earlier each year to spend time with vintners who are increasingly creating special tastings from their libraries, social open houses and other gatherings for winemakers to connect with these key accounts who are coming for longer visits each year.
"This has created an unanticipated benefit to our local community," said NVV Board of Directors President Pat Stotesbery, "as hotels, caterers and restaurants are busier than normal during this typically quieter time of year in the Valley hosting these guests."
Though the national economy has experienced a topsy-turvy ride these past few months, the NVV's top goal for PNV is the relationships created and enhanced during the week--and with a sell-out well in advance of the day, the desire of these chief gatekeepers to spend time with vintners has never been more apparent. Linda Reiff, executive director of the NVV said, " Whatever money is raised on Saturday during the auction will be that much more than we had the day before, meaning that no matter what, our annual "bake sale" will be a success."
The fourth annual Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood Napa Valley, a signature partnership with the NVV is taking place this week as well. Here sixty of the country's top wine writers convene for workshops to hone their professional wine writing skills, create camaraderie within their community of writers and share experiences, all in the heart of America's wine capital, the Napa Valley. This year speakers include Lettie Teague of Food and Wine Magazine, Linda Murphy of Decanter Magazine, Bill Daley of The Chicago Tribune, Brett Anderson of The Robb Report, Jack Hart of The Oregonian and Karen MacNeil. The Symposium's executive director is Napa Valley author Antonia Allegra.
The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St Helena will be the center of activity on Wednesday as Congressman Mike Thompson greets the NVV's Annual Membership Meeting as keynote speaker updating the members on his continuing efforts to correct the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau's wine industry-damaging proposed rules, Notices 77 and 78. This all makes for a busy, exciting and rewarding week for the vintners of Napa Valley.
About the NVV
Now in our seventh decade, the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) non-profit trade association is the sole organization responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley Appellation as a winegrowing region second to none in the world. Respect for our history reinforces our commitment to the preservation and enhancement of the Valley's land, wine, and community for future generations. We address the shared interests of our more than 300 member wineries and aspire to be the essential organization for all Napa Valley vintners.
Contact:
Terry Hall,
Communications Director
Napa Valley Vintners
707-968-4217
Contact: Terry Hall, Communications Director 707-968-4217 thall@napavintners.com