Are You Ready for Harvest Wine Boot Camp(R)?

August 27, 2008 | 12:47 pm

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Wine Boot Camp(R) challenges recruits to dive into wine by rolling up their sleeves and plunging into winegrowing and winemaking. A 12-hour intense wine encounter, Wine Boot Camp begins in the vineyard harvesting vines, moves to the crush pad where the newly harvested grapes are crushed and ends in the winery blending and bottling.

"We're looking for a few good palates," states Major Barbara Drady, Wine Boot Camp Director and self-proclaimed Wine Evangelist. Wine Boot Camp is the best way for an outsider to dive headlong into the winemaking process. Participants spend a full day using every sense to feel and learn first-hand what vintners do to make good wine... harvest and crush grapes, work in the cellar, taste wine, then blend and bottle your own.

Wine Boot Camp travels to many of California's notable wine region and this will be the first time in Paso Robles. An amazing day is planned!

The 12-hour days begin at a secret meeting place (revealed via e-mail only weeks ahead of time). Participants range in age from 20-something to 70-something; singles, couples, friends, siblings, and mother-daughter, father-daughter combinations join in. Attendees become a cohesive group. They share a passion about wine. Many travel from far away, adding this experience to their Wine Country activities; others aspire to break into the business one day or grow their own vines. For some, it's an opportunity to just drink and enjoy wine.

    Saturday, September 13, 2008
    Paso Robles Wine Boot Camp(R) Mission Sites:

Vineyard Mission:

Still Waters Vineyards http://www.stillwatersvineyards.com began as Paul and Patty Hoover's dream to own a small one-acre vineyard. The dream grew into a large reality of 60 acres producing ten varieties of premium central coast grapes. The Hoover's commitment to producing only top quality fruit reflects in the excellence of Still Waters wines.

The vineyard is located in an area with soils and climate perfect for growing premium wine grapes creating the ideal balance for Still Waters Vineyards estate wines.

Their hands-on approach to farming reflects in the underlying concept the family has had from the beginning: "Be small, have fun and focus on quality!"

Winery Mission:

Chateau Margene http://www.chateaumargene.com is a micro winery specializing in the production of small lots of luxury, handcrafted Cabernet Sauvignon and a few select blends. They produce just 3,000 cases of world-class wines including their Bordeaux blend, Beau Melange. Chateau Margene focuses on viticulture and winemaking practices that offer maximum expression of the Paso Robles terroir.

Michael and Margene Mooney found the perfect site for growing Cabernet Sauvignon in Paso Robles in 1998.

The launch-pad for Chateau Margene's success came from the International Cabernet Shootout in May of 2003, a comparative judging of 300 world-class cabernets, sponsored by Affairs of the Vine, Wine Works and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Consumers and wine industry professionals selected Chateau Margene's 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon for first place honors.

WINE BOOT CAMP(R), conducted by AFFAIRS of the VINE, an intensive, highly enjoyable one-day training program, provides the experience and knowledge needed to become totally confident in the understanding and appreciation of fine wine.

    2008 Harvest WINE BOOT CAMP(R) missions:
    September 13    Paso Robles Wine Boot Camp
                    Mission Sites:
                    Still Waters Vineyards & Chateau Margene

    September 27    Sonoma Coast Wine Boot Camp
                    Mission Sites:
                    Valdez Family Winery & Benovia

    A maximum of 30 recruits may enlist for each mission.

The cost of a one-day WINE BOOT CAMP(R) adventure includes workshops, educational materials, lunch in the vineyard, dinner paired with appropriate wines, extensive wine tasting, a bottle of wine created by the recruit, transportation to all food and wine events, a WINE BOOT CAMP(R) cap, and an "I Survived WINE BOOT CAMP(R)" T-shirt. Enlistment is $495 per person plus tax. To register, contact Major Drady at 707-874 -1975 or camp@affairsofthevine.com

For additional information visit http://www.WineBootCamp.com or http://www.affairsofthevine.com/bootcamp.php

Contact: Barbara Drady

Phone: (707) 874-1975

barbara@affairsofthevine.com