Heather Irwin of Bite Club Eats to Head Up Best Bites Competition

Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm Foundation 2012 Charitable Partner

(Santa Rosa, CA, May 23^rd 2012) — Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square and executive producer Creative Furnace announced today the 2012 artisan street food line up for Rootstock: The Great Gastronomic Wine, Street Food & Music Festival. The Rootstock Festival takes place Saturday, July 21^st from 2pm to 6pm and will bring together fine wine and craft brew tasting, gourmet street foods, a Best Bites Competition hosted by Heather Irwin of Bite Club Eats, and live music from the Hotel Cafe Tour.

A portion of the day’s proceeds benefit Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) Shone Farm Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to manage, support and raise funds for the Shone Farm agricultural and educational facility. This includes the SRJC Shone Farm Winery, which makes and markets wine as an integral part of the instructional program at SRJC, and is now part of The Wineyard cooperative in Santa Rosa Vintners' Square. General admission is $45, with advance-discounted tickets available for $35 each until July 6^th at www.RootstockFestival.com and at Santa Rosa Vintners' Square merchants. A small allotment of VIP experience tickets are available at $65 each.

The 2012 Rootstock Artisan Street Food Line Up
Along with a host of wineries and craft brews to whet the appetite, Rootstock's artisan street food purveyors will satiate guests with a diversity of delicious dishes created from locally sourced ingredients by some of the region's best street and market chefs. They will also compete in multiple categories to take home a Best Bites award, which includes the coveted Rootstock bumper stickers touting each award.

Chef Christopher Greenwald of Bay Laurel Culinary dishes up wine-friendly global comfort cuisine from his Gastro Shack cart.

Proprietor Jill Dorman of Street-eatz Mobile Kitchen delivers "flavors of the world" from her food truck.

Proprietor Alma Mendez of La Texanita Mobile combines authentic dishes from the occident of Mexico served from her food truck.

Chef John Franchetti of Rosso Pizzeria & Wine Bar will serve up a whole roasted suckling pig from its Chinese Smoker Box.

Proprietor Nellie Gamez of Nellie's Oysters is firing up the grill to share her day-fresh oysters, which are a mainstay at local Sonoma County farmers' markets.

Chef Gabe Nahas of Awful Falafel's food truck is cooking up a menu of Lebanese cuisine such as falafel, shawarma, and roasted lamb.

Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square is home to a host of lifestyle businesses such as its three outstanding wineries with production facilities including D’Argenzio Winery, Krutz Family Cellars and Sheldon Wines, with The Wineyard cooperative tasting room featuring Albertina Wine Cellars, Atascadero Creek, Flocchini Wines, Jazz Cellars, and SRJC Shone Farm Winery. Heritage Public House is the new local gathering spot for live music, comedy, special events and a rotating beverage menu focused on California nano- and micro-brews including Ruth McGowan's Craft Brews, as well as wines from The Wineyard next door. Squire Cigars, host of Rootstock's VIP Cigar Tent, and The Barbery round out the line up of merchants at Santa Rosa Vintners' Square. Other festival partners include TasteLive, CellarPass, House Band Wines, Rodney Strong Vineyards, 7x7 Wine Country, Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, Provoke Thinking, and preferred lodging partner, the Flamingo Convention Resort & Spa.

Vendors and wineries wishing to present at Rootstock Festival may contact Joel Quigley at 707.495.0831 or email joel@creativefurnace.com. Sponsorships are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Interviews and high-resolution photos are available upon request.

Contact:

Joel Quigley, President & Co-Founder, Creative Furnace
Ph: (707) 495-0831
email: joel@creativefurnace.com

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TasteLive’s Café 140 inaugural webcast goes live on Wednesday, May 16^th from 6:00pm to 7:00pm PT from Café 140's home base, Heritage Public House with sponsor The Wineyard, in Santa Rosa. Special guest winemaker Patrick Krutz of Krutz Family Cellars and House Band Wines will showcase four select wines, including the introduction of House Band Wines' new 375ml single-serve flex pouches that can go where glass cannot!

Sonoma County Chef John Lyle of Hardcore Farm to Face, known locally for his seasonal pop-up dinners in support charitable projects, is handling food pairings, while singer-songwriter John Pita will share songs from his new EP Color My World. Wines, recipes and music will be advanced to a select panel of lifestyle bloggers, who will join the event virtually from across the U.S.

Additionally, with new expanded hours at Heritage Public House to include Wednesdays beginning on May 9^th, guests are invited to join the live studio audience at 1305-A Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa, California. Heritage Public House, which specializes in California craft brews, will have its nano- and mirco-brews and show’s featured wines available for purchase during the webcast and evening mixer that follows. For reservations call (707) 540-0395.

Featured Wines

House Band Wines, Chardonnay, 375ml Flex Pouch

House Band Wines, Merlot, 375ml Flex Pouch

Krutz Family Cellars, 2009 Atkins Vineyard Pinot Noir

Krutz Family Cellars, 2008 Stage Coach Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon

Blogger Panelists

Katie Pizzuto > @gonzogastronomy
http://www.gonzogastronomy.com

Grace Hoffman > @cellarmistress
http://cellarmistress.blogspot.com

Dan Goderis > @dangod1
http://www.crwinenuts.blogspot.com

Ward Kadel > @drxeno
http://www.winelog.net/blogs/drxeno

Lain Bradford > @winereview
http://winetalk.org

Frank Morgan > @DrinkWhatYouLike
http://www.DrinkWhatYouLike.com

Megan Kenney > @Sonadora
http://wannabewino.com

We invite you to subscribe to our blog for the latest updates on events and news!

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NEWS RELEASE ~ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Inaugural Webcast at Heritage Public House Features Winemaker Patrick Krutz of Krutz Family Cellars and House Band Wines on Wednesday, May 16^th

(Santa Rosa, CA, April 26^th 2012) — TasteLive announced today that it will launch Café 140 – the interactive webcast series…with taste on Wednesday, May 16^th in association with Heritage Public House at Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square and Smiling Tiger Video. Hosted each month by wine industry veteran communicator and event producer Joel Quigley, the series will feature winemakers, brew masters, chefs, musical artists, and other lifestyle products with taste. Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square’s new Heritage Public House, in addition to The Wineyard, have been wired for turn-key interactive webcasts and live music, and also includes kitchen facilities.

“When it comes to interactive webcasts, TasteLive has been nomadic since adding live streaming to our platform several years ago, producing events at locations and cities around the world,” said Cailyn McCauley, managing director at TasteLive. “Now, with Heritage Public House’s state-of-the-art production equipment and excellent hospitality services, we can easily produce turn-key events for clients and host our new Café 140 series.”

TasteLive’s Café 140 inaugural webcast goes live on Wednesday, May 16^th from 6:00pm to 7:00pm PT. Special guest winemaker Patrick Krutz of Krutz Family Cellars and House Band Wines will showcase four select wines. Sonoma County Chef John Lyle, known in for his seasonal pop-up dinners in support charitable projects, is handling food pairings, while singer-songwriter John Pita will share songs from his new EP Color My World. Wines, recipes and music will be advanced to a select panel of lifestyle bloggers, who will join the event virtually from across the U.S. The webcast is expected to push to more than 50,000 Twitter followers.

Additionally, with new expanded hours to include Wednesdays at Heritage Public House beginning on May 9^th, guests are invited to join the live studio audience at 1305-A Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa, California. Heritage Public House, which specializes in California craft brews, will have its nano- and mirco-brews and the show’s featured wines available for purchase during the webcast and the evening mixer that follows. For reservations call (707) 540-0395.

“I’ve spent my 20-year career mixing adult beverages, food and music in what I’ve always hoped were dynamic settings to create memorable moments,” said creator and host, Joel Quigley. “With this in mind, we plan to have a lot of fun educating and entertaining with Café 140. We’ll be kicking off the series with a regional focus, featuring colleagues and co-conspirators, and then expand the programming organically over time.”

Café 140 webcasts will take place on the 3^rd Wednesday of each month, with some variation around special events and holidays. Winemakers, brew masters, chefs, musical artists, artisans with tasteful, relevant products, and companies interested in sponsorship are encouraged to contact Café 140 at (707) 495.0831 or email cafe140@creativefurnace.com. 

Café 140 Contact:
Joel Quigley
(707) 495-0831 / cafe140@creativefurnace.com
www.tastelive.com

Heritage Public House Contact:
Chris O’Connell
(707) 540-0395 / chris@santarosawineyard.com
www.HeritagePublicHouseSR.com

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Each year, since it's inception, Joel Quigley of Creative Furnace has hosted the wines at MUSEXPO: The United Nations of Music & Media in Los Angeles. MUSEXPO LA is one of the most focused and intimate music conferences in the world, thus allowing it to offer a much more upscale food and wine experience than other events with tens-of-thousands of attendees. From the opening night gala to dozens of music showcases to CEO/Chairmen dinners with the who's who in music, wine plays an integral role throughout.

Last year, we decided to share the MUSEXPO LA story and a selection of the featured wines with our TasteLive wine and music blogger friends around the US. Well, we're back in 2012 with a rockin' line up featuring Mumm Napa, House Band Wines, Wente Vineyards, Kokomo Winery, Krutz Family Cellars and Rodney Strong Vineyards. Along with special guest vintners, Rock 'n' Roll Sommelier Ziggy The Wine Gal will host the live webcast from Hollywood, California!

Featured Wines

Mumm Napa - Santana Brut

House Band Wines - White +3 Blend

Wente Vineyards - 2010 Morning Fog Chardonnay

Kokomo Winery - 2009 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Krutz Family Cellars - 2009 Stagecoach Vineyards Syrah

Rodney Strong Vineyards - 2007 Rockaway Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Blogger Panelists

Katie Pizzuto > @gonzogastronomy
http://www.gonzogastronomy.com

Grace Hoffman > @cellarmistress
http://cellarmistress.blogspot.com

Amy Corron Power > @WineWonkette
http://www.anotherwineblog.com

Joe Power > @HustonWino
http://houstonwino.blogspot.com

William Allen > @SonomaWilliam
http://www.simplehedonisms.com

Lain Bradford > @winereview
http://winetalk.org

Frank Morgan > @DrinkWhatYouLike
http://www.DrinkWhatYouLike.com

We invite you to subscribe to the TasteLive blog for the latest updates on events and news! 

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NEWS RELEASE ~ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Krutz Family Cellars Releases 2008 Napa Valley Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon on Heels of Back-to-Back Stellar Vintages

Each Vintage Features Art Label by Medeski, Martin & Wood Percussionist Billy Martin

2008 Vintage to be Unveiled at Warner Bros. Record’s “Vinyl Revisionists” Art Show

(Sonoma, CA, March 29^th 2012) — Krutz Family Cellars announced today that it will release its 2008 Napa Valley Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon at Warner Bros. Records’ Vinyl Revisionists Art Show in Los Angeles. Following the micro-winery’s 2006 and 2007 vintages receiving critical acclaim, and with the art labels created by Medeski, Martin & Wood’s percussionist and visual artist Billy Martin, the wine is quickly becoming the wine and music collector’s must-have selection for the cellar. Retailing at $75 per 750ml bottle, just 205 cases were made of the highly allocated wine.

“This is a classic Napa Valley high-elevation Cabernet Sauvignon,” said winemaker and founder Patrick Krutz. “With beautiful deep purple hues, complex aromas of allspice, toasted oak, currant, boysenberry, cocoa, vanilla and tobacco leaf, this wine is very pretty, but not shy. The finish is long and lingering with a nice balance between acid and tannin and shows great aging potential. With yet another striking piece of art from Billy, I couldn’t be more excited to introduce the 2008 vintage at Warner Bros. Records’ Vinyl Revisionists Art Show.”

Happening tomorrow Friday, March 30^th, Vinyl Revisionists is the first art show to be held at Warner Bros. Records’ iconic Burbank building. The event will feature artists like Tim Biskup, Sylvia Ji, and Victor Castillo, as well as Prime and Josh Petker. Each artist will revisit and reinterpret the covers of their favorite Warner Bros. Records artists’ albums. The work spans the rich, 50-year musical history of the iconic label, and will showcase imaginative interpretations of covers of albums by WBR artists past and present, including Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jimi Hendrix, Madonna, Prince, Van Halen, Roxy Music, The Smiths, and Mastodon, among others. Patrick and Rebecca Krutz will be on hand to share tastes of Krutz Family Cellars and their music-themed, second label House Band Wines.

To learn more about Krutz Family Cellars wines and join the allocation list, please visit www.KrutzFamilyCellars.com, email info@krutzfamilycellars.com or call (707) 536-1532.

Media Contact
Joel Quigley, Creative Furnace
(707) 495-0831 / joel@creativefurnace.com

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We invite you to subscribe to the TasteLive blog for the latest updates on events and news! 

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NEWS RELEASE ~ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Featuring New Category Players Such as Bachelor Ben Flajnik's Envolve Rosé and Croft Pink the World's First Rosé Port to the Iconic Château D'Esclans "Garrus" Rosé, Pink Out! SF Celebrates the Continuing Rise of Fine Rosé in the U.S.

(Santa Rosa, CA, March 26^th 2012) -- Rosé Avengers & Producers (RAP) and Chef Lam of Butterfly restaurant have announced that the 8^th Annual Pink Out! SF fine rosé celebration will take place on Tuesday, May 8^th 2012 in San Francisco, California. In tandem with Pink Out! SF, RAP is teaming again with TasteLive -- the world's premier online tasting community -- to host a live, interactive Webcast from Butterfly, with wine bloggers joining the tasting remotely from around the U.S. The virtual tasting is sponsored by CellarPass and will feature four select wineries to be announced in the coming weeks.

"Over the eight years that we've produced Pink Out! SF, we've witnessed winemakers, retailers, restaurateurs, and U.S. consumers enthusiastically embrace fine rosé," said Joel Quigley, RAP's director, who also heads up business development for TasteLive. "RAP is proud that we've played at least a small role in the growth of the category though our annual event and public relations efforts. Once again, we'll be showcasing new entries into the market, as well as venerable rosé producers from around the world."

The Pink Out! SF celebration at Butterfly restaurant will feature an extensive walk-around tasting of 40-plus classic still and sparkling rosés from throughout the world, accompanied by delicious appetizers, chill DJ grooves, and the TasteLive Webcast. Chef Lam will present rosé-inspired Pan-Pacific appetizers from sustainably and organically sourced ingredients. Guests are encouraged to wear their most fun and entertaining pink attire. Tickets are again expected to sell out in advance and are available online only at www.RapWine.com/events.

Wineries as of March 27^th 2012
Amorosa Bella, Carneros Wine Co., Château D'Esclans, Chateau Roubine, Cornerstone Cellars, Croft Pink, Dashe Cellars, Dunstan Wines / Durell Vineyard, Ellipsis Wine Company, Envolve Winery, Freixenet, Gloria Ferrer, Isabel Mondavi Wines, Kristine Ashe Vineyards, Lasseter Family Winery, Midsummer Cellars, Muscardini Cellars, Peju Province Winery, Pisoni Vineyards, Segura Viudas, Tedeschi Family Winery, Think Tank Wine Company, Truett Hurst and VML.

Where: Butterfly Restaurant, Pier 33 @ Bay Street, The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Date: Tuesday, May 8^th 2012
Media & Trade Tasting: 3:00pm - 6:00pm / Credentials Required / Click here to request passes
Consumer Tasting: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
TasteLive Broadcast: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Tickets: $35 online advance / $45 at door if available

Interviews and high resolution photos available upon request.

Contact:
Joel Quigley
President & Co-Founder, Creative Furnace
Business Development, TasteLive
Director, Rosé Avengers & Producers
Ph: (707) 495-0831
email: info@creativefurnace.com

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When House Band Wines was first conceived, we wanted to create a program that would allow us to be both flexible and proactive in supporting music projects. The arts, and especially music, are very important to us, so we created our overarching theme: "Supporting Music Projects One Gig at Time..." with a goal of committing 2% of our net sales to benefit regional music programs via charitable events.

We couldn't be more proud to kick-off our program with Gibson GuitarTown on The Sunset Strip's - Round 2 unveiling and check presentation in West Hollywood, California on March 12, 2012. Gibson GuitarTown on The Sunset Strip is administered by the Gibson Foundation and is a public art project featuring 26 10-foot-tall Les Paul guitars. Each guitar sculpture was/is made by a local artist to commemorate assorted musicians and personalities associated with the Sunset Strip. These artists have included Slash, The Doors, Mötley Crüe, Jimi Hendrix, The Roxy, The Whiskey A Go Go, Slash, Cheech & Chong, Ozzy Osbourne, The Runaways, and Beach Boy Brian Wilson — to name a few.

The Gibson GuitarTown statues were placed along Hollywood’s famous Sunset Strip for several months last year and then auctioned off this past December, 2011. Proceeds from the auction benefit the Los Angeles Youth Network, which provides outreach, food, emergency shelter, transitional living and educational enrichment programs for homeless adolescents; West Hollywood Arts & Cultural Commission to further support public art and artists on The Sunset Strip; and the West Hollywood Library.

The Gibson GuitarTown Round 2 March unveiling event is an invite only affair where guitar legend Slash will present the check from proceeds raised at the 2011 auction. We'll be on hand quenching thirsts with tastes of House Band Wines and Krutz Family Cellars (our lux sister winery). The evening is sponsored by Gibson Guitar, The Sunset Strip Business Association, Hornburg Land Rover & Jaguar, West Hollywood Convention & Visitors Bureau, IZZE and Icelandic Glacial.

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House Band to Intro 375ml Wine Flex to Pouch @ Tijuana Gift Shop & Sideways Media's Manic Fest Destiny Day Party in Austin, TX

Many of House Band Wines followers are already hip to the upstart brands imminent launch of the first-ever 375ml single-serve, wine flex pouch. Others may ask, “Wine in pouch?” Here’s the deal: Imagine going to your favorite music festival and being able to order tasty California wine at an excellent price in a super-lightweight, single-serve, re-sealable pouch. No glass issues. No spilling wine from cheap plastic tumblers.

House Band Wines new "eco-vessel of cheer" filled with California Chardonnay and Merlot

Manic Fest Destiny Day Party, March 15th Austin, TX

House Band Wines couldn’t be more pumped that its kick-off will take place in the Music Mecca of Austin, Texas at the same time that SXSW is going live. They share a huge shout out to Tijuana Gift Shop and Sideways Media for allowing them to sponsor the wine for their Manic Fest Destiny Day Party happening on Thursday, March 15^th at Rusty’s from Noon to 6pm. This is a FREE event and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC — no wrist bands or badges required.

House Band Wines  will be serving up complimentary flex pouches of 2010 Chardonnay and Merlot throughout the day while a stellar line up of musical artists deliver the goods from two stages. Below is video by showcase artist Wishes & Thieves followed by the artist line up to-date. The foursome’s track Forrest Fire is meant to temporarily quench thirsts until the big day at Rusty’s. In the meantime, House Band Wines will follow up with more blog features on the line up of showcase artists as they anticipate cracking open the first House Band Wines flex pouch at Manic Fest Destiny!

Manic Fest Destiny Featured Artists

Stone Foxes (San Francisco, CA)

Firehorse (NYC)

Vanaprasta (LA)

New Cassettes (UK)

Greylag (Portland, OR)

Dearly Beloved w/David Catching of QOTSA (Canada)

backwords (Brooklyn, NY)

Wishes & Thieves (Brooklyn, NY)

More artists to be announced soon!

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The Wineyard, The Hopyard and Rustico Cibo Restaurant Venues to be TasteLive’s Home Production Site for Interactive Streaming Webcasts

Set to Open in Early 2012, The Wineyard & The Hopyard are Wired with High-Speed Internet, Sound, Cameras and Televisions for Wine, Food, Music Events

(Santa Rosa, CA, December 13^th 2011) – The Wineyard at Santa Rosa Vintners' Square and TasteLive announced today a strategic partnership to promote the expanding urban wine village's facilities and give TasteLive a home base to produce its interactive wine, food, and music webcasts. TasteLive is a real time event-based Social Media Network offering exclusive branded channels and production for Social Media events. The fully independent platform is integrated with Twitter, Facebook and other Social Media sites to provide extended “reach” across multiple networks.

“This is a win win for both companies,” said Dino D’Argenzio, Co-founder of The Wineyard at Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square and Senior Real Estate Advisor and Partner at Keegan & Coppin. “By working with TasteLive’s management team at Creative Furnace, we’ve designed our new spaces for today’s special event market. It’s no longer simply about providing the best services for onsite events; it’s also about offering turnkey, state-of-the-art, multimedia capabilities. By creating this partnership, we can virtually export events to trade, media and consumers worldwide.”

“Since TasteLive added streaming broadcast capabilities in 2009, we’ve been virtual nomads, traveling to sites to produce interactive webcasts,” said Cailyn McCauley, Co-founder of Creative Furnace and Managing Partner for TasteLive. “We’ll continue to offer such services, however, we can now present clients with a home base for our productions. This is especially important for rural wineries, and those without facilities, that don’t have the technology or bandwidth to host such events.”

Santa Rosa Vintners' Square is already home to three outstanding wineries with production facilities including, founding winery D'Argenzio Winery, Krutz Family Cellars and Sheldon Wines, as well as Squire Cigars. The urban wine village is expanding with its cooperative The Wineyard tasting arena to include Atascadero Creek Winery, Flocchini Winery, Jazz Cellars, SRJC's Shone Farm Winery, and more to be announced soon. The Hopyard will act as the center’s special event and live music venue, with local microbrews featured at its bar. Rustico Cibo Culinary Kitchen is designed as a working restaurant as well as demonstration kitchen with built in digital cameras and televisions.

TasteLive, launched in 2008 with an initial core focus on fine wine, has produced more than 250 online events hosted with some of the world’s top winemakers, trade groups, and importers. The platform is primarily used for virtual blogger tastings, interactive sales and marketing team events, virtual wine club tastings, and on-location webcasts.

To learn more about TasteLive, contact Joel Quigley at 707.495.0831 or email joel@creativefurnace.com. To learn more about The Wineyard, contact Chris O'Connell chris@santarosawineyard.com or (707) 934-5002.

Interviews and high-resolution photos are available upon request.

Media Contact:

Joel Quigley, President & Co-Founder, Creative Furnace
Business Development, TasteLive

Ph: (707) 495-0831 / email: joel@creativefurnace.com

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 Broadcasts Hosted by Alan Kropf of Mutineer Magazine to Feature Winemaker, Chef and Special Guest Interviews with Virtual Wine Blogger Tastings

(NAPA, CA, November 2^nd 2011) -- CellarPass and TasteLive announced today its live streaming broadcast schedule for the 2011 Napa Valley Film Festival. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alan Kropf of Mutineer magazine, the one-hour daily broadcasts from marquee Napa Valley Film Festival events will take place on November 10^th, 11^th and 12^th and feature a who’s who in regional winemaking, the culinary arts and special guests. Wine bloggers from around the U.S. will join the shows virtually to taste wines, post comments, and ask questions of guests.

“We’ll be producing five shows in three days,” said Kropf, “so we’ll be running the gauntlet of tight timelines and pushing the threshold of live-stream broadcasting. Along with our scheduled line up, we’ll be inviting talent off the red carpet for spontaneous interviews, and responding to questions posted by our blogger panelists. It’s going to be a bit of a thrill ride that should deliver some sweet surprises.”

Guests wishing to join the conversation can create an account in advance at TasteLive. Visitors traveling to the Napa Valley Film Festival are encouraged to use CellarPass’ industry-leading winery reservation system to book movie-inspired wine tasting itineraries and experiences and enter its sweepstakes to win an exclusive VIP trip to Napa Valley.

Napa Valley Film Festival TasteLive / CellarPass Streaming Broadcast Schedule

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10^th 2011

OPENING NIGHT GALA
Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville
8:00pm to 9:00pm
Go to TasteLive Event Page

Featured Winery & Wines
Robert Mondavi Winery
2009 Fume Blanc Reserve - $40
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - $135

Blogger Panelists
Bean Fairbanks, @WineBeerWA, http://wine-beer-washington.com
Beau Carufel, @ucbeau, http://beausbarrelroom.blogspot.com
Dennis Atick, @decaturwinedude, http://www.decaturwineandfooddude.com
Dezel Quillen, @myvinespot, http://www.myvinespot.com
Grace Hoffman, @cellarmistress, http://cellarmistress.blogspot.com
Lain Bradford, @winereview, http://www.winetalk.org
Matthew Horbund, @mmwine, http://agoodtimewithwine.com
Megan Kenney, @sonadora, http://wannabewino.com
Thea Dwelle, @winebratsf, http://lusciouslushes.com

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11^th 2011

CALISTOGA WINE PAVILION
Mount View Hotel, Calistoga
1457 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga CA 94515
12:00pm to 1:00pm

Go to TasteLive Event Page

Featured Wineries & Wines
Mumm Napa
Brut Reserve Rosé NV - $36

Merryvale Vineyards
2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $65

Tedeschi Family Winery
2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $58

Blogger Panelists
Bean Fairbanks, @WineBeerWA, http://wine-beer-washington.com
Beau Carufel, @ucbeau, http://beausbarrelroom.blogspot.com
Dennis Atick, @decaturwinedude, http://www.decaturwineandfooddude.com
Thea Dwelle, @winebratsf, http://lusciouslushes.com
Dezel Quillen, @myvinespot, http://www.myvinespot.com
Grace Hoffman, @cellarmistress, http://cellarmistress.blogspot.com
Katie Pizzuto, @gonzogastronomy, http://www.gonzogastronomy.com
Lain Bradford, @winereview, http://www.winetalk.org

ST. HELENA WINE PAVILION
Carnegie Building, St. Helena
1360 Oak Street, St. Helena, CA 94574
3:30pm to 4:30pm

Go to TasteLive Event Page

Featured Wineries
Savour St. Helena
2008 Ramian Canard Merlot - $TBA

Clif Family Winery
2008 Kit's Killer Cab, Napa Valley - $38

Raymond Vineyards
Raymond 2008 Reserve Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $35

Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards
2008 Trilogy Napa Valley - $65

Blogger Panelists
Bean Fairbanks, @WineBeerWA, http://wine-beer-washington.com
Beau Carufel, @ucbeau, http://beausbarrelroom.blogspot.com
Dennis Atick, @decaturwinedude, http://www.decaturwineandfooddude.com
Dezel Quillen, @myvinespot, http://www.myvinespot.com
Grace Hoffman, @cellarmistress, http://cellarmistress.blogspot.com
Katie Pizzuto, @gonzogastronomy, http://www.gonzogastronomy.com
Lain Bradford, @winereview, http://www.winetalk.org
Matthew Horbund, @mmwine, http://agoodtimewithwine.com
Megan Kenney, @sonadora, http://wannabewino.com
Thea Dwelle, @winebratsf, http://lusciouslushes.com

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12^th 2011

YOUNTVILLE WINE PAVILION
V Marketplace, Yountville
1870 Parking lot, 6525 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599
12:00pm to 1:00pm

Go to TasteLive Event Page

Featured Wineries
John Anthony Vineyards
2010 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc - $20
2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $56

Jessup Cellars
2009 Napa Valley Red Wine, Estate Grown - $TBA

Chiarello Family Vineyards
2008 Roux Old Vine Petite Sirah - $46

Blogger Panelists
Beau Carufel, @ucbeau, http://beausbarrelroom.blogspot.com
Dennis Atick, @decaturwinedude, http://www.decaturwineandfooddude.com
Dezel Quillen, @myvinespot, http://www.myvinespot.com
Grace Hoffman, @cellarmistress, http://cellarmistress.blogspot.com
Katie Pizzuto, @gonzogastronomy, http://www.gonzogastronomy.com
Lain Bradford, @winereview, http://www.winetalk.org
Matthew Horbund, @mmwine, http://agoodtimewithwine.com
Megan Kenney, @sonadora, http://wannabewino.com

NAPA WINE PAVILION
Napa Oxbow Wine Pavilion
COPIA Center, 644 1^st Street, Napa, CA 94559
4:00pm to 5:00pm

Go to TasteLive Event Page

Featured Wineries
Swanson Vineyards & Winery
2009 Napa Valley Pinot Grigio - $21
2007 Oakville Merlot - $38

Saintsbury
2009 Lee Vineyard Pinot Noir - $45

Pine Ridge Winery
2007 Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon - $80

Blogger Panelists
Beau Carufel, @ucbeau, http://beausbarrelroom.blogspot.com
Dezel Quillen, @myvinespot, http://www.myvinespot.com
Grace Hoffman, @cellarmistress, http://cellarmistress.blogspot.com
Katie Pizzuto, @gonzogastronomy, http://www.gonzogastronomy.com
Lain Bradford, @winereview, http://www.winetalk.org
Matthew Horbund, @mmwine, http://agoodtimewithwine.com
Megan Kenney, @sonadora, http://wannabewino.com

Contact:
Sarah Elliman, CellarPass, Inc.
(707) 255-4390
Email: selliman@cellarpass.com

We invite you to subscribe to the TasteLive blog for the latest updates on events and news! 

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NEWS RELEASE ~ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Joel Quigley, Creative Furnace
(707) 495-0831 / joel@creativefurnace.com 

Winemaker Guy Davis is taking the Family’s “I’m a Davis, too!” Campaign to Social Media Networks — Bringing New Meaning to the Term “Extended Family”

(HEALDSBURG, CA, October, 20^th 2011) — First generation winemaker Guy Davis of Davis Family Vineyards, located in Sonoma County’s famed Russian River Valley, has found an effective marketing niche and asset he’s had since birth — his surname. In the United States, Davis is the sixth most common surname, right behind Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown and Jones. As a small family winery producing handcrafted micro-lot wines, nearly every dollar is invested back into the vineyard and wine production, thus making marketing dollars scarce. It is imperative for the family to be creative in reaching new customers, and find ways to keep them loyal, to succeed in such a business environment.

“Over the years, both in the tasting room and at events, people have constantly approached me to say, ‘Hey, I’m a Davis, too!’” said Davis. “Many of these same people have become our most enthusiastic supporters. It became clear that we needed to do something special for them, so we created the Friends of the Family Wine Club, which has produced a win-win for our extended family and the winery. They get special benefits and events, and they help us build an extremely loyal following by spreading the word through their own families. Now we’ve launched specific ‘I’m a Davis, too!’ Facebook and Twitter pages to reach more Davis’ through social media.”

Davis Family Vineyards’ Friends of the Family Wine Club benefits include special discounts, exclusive Davis Family events at the winery, and regional Davis Family Reunions. The winery also facilitates virtual Davis Family gatherings and story telling through its “I’m a Davis, too!” Facebook page. On Thursday, October 27^th, Davis will host a comprehensive tasting with wine bloggers across the country on TasteLive.com, the world’s premier online tasting community. He will use the platform to share six select wines, explain his earth-friendly philosophy on farming and winemaking, and further spread the word to his “extended family” through social media. Guests may join the conversation by creating a free account on TasteLive.com and signing into the Special Events page.

Interviews and photographs available upon request.

About Davis Family Vineyards
Davis Family Vineyards is located on a ridge top in the center of California’s renowned Russian River Valley. The vineyards are farmed by earth-friendly practices and contain Zinfandel vines that were planted in 1896, and young hillside plantings of Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay. Winemaker Guy Davis also creates micro-lot wines from a handful of select and distinctive vineyards in other exceptional regions in Northern California. The winery’s tasting room is located on 52 Front Street in Healdsburg, California. To schedule a tasting, purchase wines, and find out about special events, please visit DavisFamilyVineyards.com, call 707-569-0171 or email sales@daviswines.com.

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Broadcasts from Marquee Events to be Hosted by Alan Kropf of Mutineer Magazine and Feature Winemaker, Filmmaker and Chef Interviews and Virtual Blogger Tastings

(NAPA, CA, October11^th 2011) -- CellarPass, the leading online destination to explore, book and share wine country experiences has announced today it is partnering with TasteLive.com, the world’s premier online wine tasting community and social network, to produce live streaming broadcasts from the inaugural Napa Valley Film Festival on November 9^th through the 13^th.

“CellarPass and TasteLive have a complementary relationship in reaching new audiences and engaging them in conversation,” said Sarah Elliman of CellarPass. “CellarPass brings people to wine country, while TasteLive exports wine country virtually. So while CellarPass is making it easy for visitors to book their Napa Valley Film Festival experiences, TasteLive’s platform will promote the valley and festival to wine and film lovers across the country.”

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alan Kropf of Mutineer magazine, the one-hour daily broadcasts from marquee Napa Valley Film Festival events will feature a who’s who in regional winemaking and culinary arts. Wine bloggers from around the United States will join the shows virtually to taste wines, post comments, and ask questions. TasteLive’s fully independent platform, which is integrated with Twitter, Facebook and other Social Media sites to provide extended “reach” across multiple networks, will push the content to the bloggers’ combined followers numbering in the tens-of-thousands.

Final broadcast locations, times, guests and bloggers will be announced in the coming days. Wineries, chefs and filmmakers wishing to participate may send requests to Sarah Elliman at selliman@cellarpass.com or call (707) 255-4390.

About CellarPass
Launched in January 2010, CellarPass^SM is the leading wine tasting and tour reservation site that offers consumers easy and free access to customized winery searches, real-time confirmed reservations and shareable itineraries. CellarPass provides the tools needed to promote events nationwide while connecting with their guests in ways that enhances the visitor experience and build long-lasting relationships with their favorite destinations.

For more information, please contact Sarah Elliman at (707) 255-4390, or email selliman@cellarpass.com. Follow CellarPass on Facebook at http://facebook.com/cellarpass and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cellarpass to get the freshest updates.
 

About TasteLive
TasteLive is a real time event-based Social Network launched in 2008 for companies, organizations and individuals presenting products with taste. Launched in June of 2008 with an initial core focus on fine wine, more than 200 online events have been hosted with some of the world’s top winemakers, trade groups and importers.

TasteLive is an independent platform fully integrated with Twitter, Facebook and other Social Media sites to provide extended “reach” across multiple networks. The social network offers branded channels and production for virtual media/blogger tasting, sales and marketing tastings and meetings, and live streaming interactive broadcasts. To learn more, contact Cailyn McCauley at (707) 495-1797 or email cailyn@creativefurnace.com.

Blog: http://blog.tastelive.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/tastelive
 

About The Napa Valley Film Festival
The Napa Valley Film Festival showcases the best in new independent filmmaking and world cinema. Their vision is to build community around the art of visual story-telling, with the viewing of films and discussions with filmmakers fueling lively conversation amongst the world-class food and wine of legendary Napa Valley.

The inaugural Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) debuts November 9-13, in Napa Valley's picturesque communities of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. The 5 day "extended weekend" features new independent films; studio sneak previews; conversations with the attending directors, actors, producers, and writers; Opening and Closing Night festivities; Tribute and Awards Programs; wine tasting pavilions and culinary demonstrations; VIP receptions and dinners with Napa Valley's own celebrity chefs and winemakers, and more.

For more information, visit the following sites:

http://napavalleyfilmfest.org

http://facebook.com/napavalleyfilmfestival
 

http://twitter.com/napafilmfest

http://youtube.com/napavalleyfilmfest

For more information on the Napa Valley Film Festival, please contact Thea Bakkar at thea@glodownead.com. www.facebook.com/napavalleyfilmfestival

http://www.napavalleyfilmfest.org

http://www.twitter.com/napafilmfest

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Jeff Laliberte, Shelby Archer and Paul Laliberte of Capra Getting Fired Up for the House Band Wines Photo Shoot at the Redbury Hotel in Hollywood

The first time I caught a glimpse of the Redbury Hotel in Hollywood, California, with it’s deep red façade and one side painted with faux drawn back curtains and windows, I dropped my immediate plans and made haste across Hollywood and Vine to get a closer look. Located just across the street from the iconic Capitol Records building, I had high hopes for what I might find. I wasn’t disappointed.

Immediately inside the front entrance was the stand-alone Mediterranean/Moroccan restaurant Cleo, which has garnered excellent reviews from some of LA’s toughest food critics. I grabbed a quick appetizer of artichoke and nicoise olives prepped in the wood burning oven and a glass of wine at the front bar — good spot to people watch, take in the vibe, and ask the bartender a few questions.

What I discovered was that the Redbury is the brainchild of sbe and its CEO Sam Nazarian, a top player in LA hospitality, and curated by the visionary and renowned photographer, Matthew Rolston. The building was originally an apartment complex, so each flat offers a kitchenette, living room space, and is designed to capture “1960s London Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Each room is equipped with a turntable and LPs. Yep.

Sated by my time at the bar, both visually and viscerally, I headed up to the second floor where the hotel lobby is located and asked to tour the property. The staff was very accommodating, and as we made our way through "The Library, a private lounge, and The Glade, an outdoor courtyard with teak decking and lush landscaping," I had visions of producing wine events in these stunning spaces. And when we toured the flats, I instantly knew that this was where we would host our House Band Wines’ photo shoot.

Consequently, during a follow up visit to LA to coordinate our launch event for October 14^th, we scheduled our shoot in one of the Redbury’s two bedroom suites. With rock ‘n’ roll as our theme, we turned to our friends at A&R Worldwide to provide creative direction through VP Monte Malone and in-house photographer, KC Morse. Long time friends and rockers Paul Laliberte, Jeff Laliberte and Shelby Archer of LA-based Capra agreed to sit in, along with Fashion Business Inc. models Jheri Cavitt and Natasha Vo. It was go time! We busted out the cameras, instruments, flipped on the turntable, dished up Katsuya sushi, and poured House Band Wines.

~ Joel Quigley, Emcee & Artist Relations, House Band Wines

To see more of our favorite photos from a very memorable shoot visit House Band Wines!

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News Release ~ For Immediate Release

As Three Sticks Selectively Grows its Exclusive Portfolio, Forrest to Leverage His Extensive Experience to Expand Market Penetration Via Wholesale & Direct-to-Consumer Channels

(Sonoma, CA, August 30^th 2011) — Three Sticks Wines, owned by entrepreneur and investor Bill Price, announced today the appointment of Scott Forrest as National Sales Manager for the Sonoma Valley boutique winery. Forrest brings a broad range of industry experience garnered over the past twenty-plus years, including working in management at one of Colorado’s top distributors before relocating to California in 2005. During the last six years, Forrest has held both regional and national sales management positions that have enhanced his keen sense of what is necessary to establish a wine brand’s credibility.

“Each and every one of my previous work experiences — in production and service roles as well as wholesale and supplier management — have informed my sense of what brand building is all about and the unsparing effort it takes to truly succeed,” said Forrest. “I am thrilled to be working with everyone at Three Sticks. The intrinsic appeal and pedigree of the current releases speak to the commitment to excellence being made at every level. When you combine this kind of benchmark quality, with placing a premium on building lasting relationships in the marketplace, the end result is a shared sense of ownership of your brand. And with that comes market success.”

“Scott brings the type of extensive and diverse experience to the table that is so important to a small wine brand where we all wear many hats,” said Three Sticks owner, Bill Price. “His network and understanding of the business from both the winery and distributor side will be a true asset to Three Sticks. The team here is very excited to have him on board.”

Three Sticks produces small lot Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from its home site, Durell Vineyard, and a Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from mountain vineyards in Sonoma Valley, California. In spring 2011, the winery introduced its first vintage of 2008 Pinot Noir, “THE JAMES,” sourced from the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. This fall will see the release of its second vintage of 2009 Sonoma Valley Pinot Blanc. In addition to owning Three Sticks Wines and Durell Vineyard, Price is an investor in a collection of world-class vineyard sites and wineries through his company Classic Wines LLC.

To learn more about Three Sticks Wines, visit www.ThreeSticksWines.com or contact Scott Forrest directly at (707) 509-9689 or by email at scott@threestickswines.com.

High-resolution photographs and executive interviews are available upon request.

Media Contacts:

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Cost-Effective Public Relations and Social Media Event Bundle Designed to Help Wineries Get the Word Out on Holiday Offerings and Special Events

(Santa Rosa, CA, August 18^TH 2011) — TasteLive and Creative Furnace announced today a holiday promotional package for wineries designed to help get the news out about special events and offerings leading into the holidays — the most important time of year for a winery’s bottom-line. TasteLive is a real time event-based Social Network launched in 2008 with a core focus on fine wine. More than 200 online events have been hosted with some of the world’s top winemakers, trade groups, and importers. The platform is fully independent and integrated with Twitter, Facebook and other Social Media sites to provide extended “reach” across multiple networks.

“Right now is primetime to plan and promote for the holidays,” said Joel Quigley, President and co-founder of Creative Furnace, who also handles business development for TasteLive. “We understand that in these economic times producers are running lean, yet they cannot afford to sit idly by waiting for something to happen. They need to be proactive to reach media and consumers with their holiday message and offerings, so we’ve created a cost-effective public relations and Social Media event bundle to simplify and focus a winery’s efforts.”

The TasteLive / Creative Furnace Holiday Package Includes

• One exclusive TasteLive homepage event featuring 3 to 6 wines
  
• Pre- and post-event TasteLive blogs featuring the winery, holiday offering, event details, and participating blogger panel
  
• Creative Furnace will consult on and book 8 to 10 bloggers for the event tasting panel
  
• Creative Furnace will write and distribute news release (400 words or less) featuring the winery’s TasteLive event, holiday offerings, and event schedule
  

Normally a $3,000 to $4,000 value depending on overall scope of work, the package is available on a limited, first-come, first-served basis for $1,850.00. Wineries are responsible for the coordination and cost of shipping wines to bloggers. TasteLive blogger events typically generate between 500,000 to 1.5 million potential impressions, 4 to 8 features by blogger panelists, while also helping a winery build its Social Media following.

For a consultation and complete details, please contact Joel Quigley at 707.495.0831 or by email at joel@creativefurnace.com.

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HOUSE BAND WINES LAUNCHES WITH ARTIST PROMOTION AND “GET ON THE LIST” WINE & MUSIC SHOWCASE IN HOLLYWOOD

Line Up Features White+3, Chardonnay, Red+5, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

With Strategic Cross-Promotions at the Heart of its Fall Launch, House Band Wines Partners with A&R Worldwide, SIR Sound Stages, Chef Frank Miller & Sonicbids

(Santa Rosa, CA, August 17^TH 2011) — House Band Wines announced today its official launch and musical artist promotion with Sonicbids.com. Sonicbids’ mission is to help create and empower an Artistic Middle Class through the use of innovative technology by allowing bands to find and connect with any type of music promoter, licensor, or broadcaster quickly and easily. House Band Wines, created by winemaker Patrick Krutz, also owner of the luxury brand Krutz Family Cellars, is sponsoring a “virtual gig” contest. Artists can submit via Sonicbids to be featured in the winery’s launch campaign throughout the 2011 fall and holiday seasons. Sourced from select vineyards throughout California, House Band’s wines are composed of choice lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, and show true varietal character with rich, ripe flavors.

“Our team of fanatical music fans will select six winning artists for House Band Wines to highlight during our launch, with one being chosen to showcase in front of music industry executives at our October 14^th ‘Get on the List’ launch party at SIR Sound Stages in Hollywood,” said Krutz. “The promotion is being featured on Sonicbids’ website and promoted to its list of 300,000 artists, promoters, and venue partners. House Band Wines will also run ongoing ‘Get on the List’ social media contests for wine and music lovers to win tickets to our launch parties, as well as other exclusive backstage events and promotions created with our partners.”

House Band Wines’ “Get on the List” launch event at SIR Sound Stages is being co-promoted by Creative Furnace and A&R Worldwide, and will bring together wine trade and media, music festival producers, caterers, venue owners, and artists for an evening of tasting, networking, and live music. The showcase will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in SIR’s Main Lounge and Sound Stage 5. From 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., guests will meet the House Band Wines team, sample wines, enjoy stellar appetizers by Chef to the Stars Frank Miller, mix with showcase artists, and network for business. House Band’s winning artist will then perform an opening showcase set, followed by A&R Worldwide’s selected headliner to close the evening.

Longtime wine and music cross-promoter Joel Quigley of Creative Furnace is handling communications and artist relations for the brand. “Over the past two decades that I’ve been creating and producing wine and music events,” said Quigley, “I’ve always felt there was a niche to be filled by a wine brand completely dialed into the music scene, especially presented at the right quality/price-point ratio and with a relevant theme for strategic cross-promotions. When Patrick approached me with the idea of House Band Wines, and I tasted them, I was onboard.”

Inspiration & Vision
Krutz was inspired to create House Band Wines when some of his music industry friends lamented that they couldn’t get good, consistent wines-by-the-glass for their string of music venues, and from a winery that truly connected with their audience to help grow wine sales. Patrick responded to the gig by bringing together a leadership team with the resources, experience and relationships to ensure success, and to bridge the gap between the wine and music industries.

Krutz had the packaging designed to be bold, exciting, and easy-to-read in dim light from behind the bar and have serious “pop” from retail selves. He’s leveraging technology and deep relationships to create a loyal community and fan base by partnering with musical artists and venues, co-promoting through online editorial content, and through strategic special events and projects. Last, but not least, he’s put some heart into the brand by committing 2% of all sales to support select regional music programs and charities, “One gig at a time…”

Wine and music fans can “Get on the List” for opportunities to win tickets to the Hollywood launch party and other upcoming events, and follow our adventures and features covering our favorite musical artists, by signing up at www.HouseBandWines.com.

Contacts & Information
Venues, retailers, chefs, festival producers and others interested in featuring House Bands Wines are encouraged to contact Jennifer Tincknell of Tincknell & Tincknell at (707) 433-3671 or by email at info@marketingwine.com.

Media, artists, and companies interested in partnerships are invited to contact Joel Quigley of Creative Furnace at (707) 495-0831 or email joel@housebandwines.com.

Tasting notes, media documents, and other trade information are available upon request and by visiting www.HouseBandWines.com.

Interviews and high-resolution photos are available upon request.

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Celebrity Chef & Cookbook Author Bob Blumer (As Seen on TV Food Network) to Demo 5 Wine-Paired Surreal Dishes in 30-Minutes on TasteLive.com

(Santa Rosa, CA, July 6^th 2011) — Executive producer Creative Furnace and Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square announced today the theme for Celebrity Chef and Cookbook Author Bob Blumer's onstage TasteLive demo at Rootstock: The Great Gastronomic Wine, Street Food & Music Festival happening Saturday, July 16^th from 2pm to 7pm. Chef Blumer's "Eat the Clock" demo will showcase 5 wine-paired Surreal Dishes from his newest cookbook, Glutton for Pleasure, in 30-minutes utilizing 2 butane burners, 2 toaster ovens and a Barbie. The pairings include Benziger Family Winery, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Sesquana Vineyards, D'Argenzio Winery and Krutz Family Cellars. The show will take place from 4:30 to 5:00pm from the main stage and be streamed live over TasteLive.com, with 12 wine and food bloggers joining the event virtually from around the nation.

Beyond the TasteLive streaming broadcast, the Rootstock Festival is bringing together 19 wineries, 7 top street food and market chefs, a Best Bites Invitational Competition, and live music via the Hotel Cafe Tour from the main stage. A portion of the day’s proceeds benefit Worth Our Weight, a non-profit organization that apprentices young people age 16 to 24 who have faced major challenges in their lives. The festival's Responsible Hospitality Sponsor is Whole Foods Santa Rosa, providing complimentary water for all guests, and non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers. Complete event details and tickets are at www.RootstockFestival.com.

Featured Wineries
D’Argenzio Winery, Krutz Family Cellars, Sheldon Wines, MJ Lords Wine Cellars, SRJC’s Shone Farms, Simple Math Cellars, Rodney Strong Cellars, House Band Wines, Tamás Estates, Wente Vineyards, Murrieta's Well, Atascadero Creek Winery, Mounts Family Winery, Old World Winery, Dry Creek Vineyards, Flocchini, Benziger Family Winery, Sequana Vineyards, and Thumbprint Cellars.

Celebrity Guests Include
Ziggy, The Wine Gal of KRSH 95.9 FM as Mistress of Ceremonies; Heather Irwin of Bite Club Eats heading up the Best Bites Invitational Competition; Alan Kropf, editor-in-chief of Mutineer magazine, taping for a special edition of Beverage Late Night; and Bob Blumer aka Surreal Gourmet hosting the TasteLive.com streaming broadcast sponsored in part by CellarPass.com.

The Music Line Up
Brian Wright, Jim Bianco, The Milk Carton Kids, Holly Conlan, Erin McLaughlin, and Ladies Gun Club.

Click Here to Visit the Rootstock Festival Musical Artist Web Page with Featured Videos

The Artisan Street Food Line Up

Chef Christopher Greenwald of Bay Laurel Culinary will serve up wine-friendly global comfort cuisine from his Gastro Shack cart.

Chef Chuck of Dim Sum Charlie's will dish up 100% organic, gluten free Dim Sum from his converted Airstream trailer.

Chef Mateo Granados, a staple at local farmers' markets, is gaining fame by creating Yucatán dishes made with local ingredients.

Chef Hugh Schick of Le Truc, a bustaurant based in San Francisco, presents dishes prepared with and paired with artisan craft brews.

Chef Larry Vito, with his 4,000 lb Smokehouse BBQ Pit and James Beard credentials, will offer a mixed menu of 5-star BBQ dishes.

Purveyor Jill Dorman of Street-eatz Mobil Kitchen will serve up "flavors of the world" from her food truck.

Nick's Cove of Marshall on Tamales Bay will be serving up its famed BBQ Oysters on the back patio next to the Bocce Ball Court.

And last but not least, the festival's beneficiary, Worth Our Weight, will cleanse palates with wine and fruit sorbets created by her students and served from the school's market cart, which was donated to WOW by Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri.

Celebrity Guests Include
Along with Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square as the presenting sponsor, and partners listed above, other top sponsors include the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, City of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Conference & Visitors Bureau, Sonoma County GoLocal, Squire Cigars, North Bay Bohemian, FUSE Beverages, Flamingo Convention Resort & Spa, Levi’s GranFondo, Govino, Boyle & Stoll CPA Company, Soiree and Vintage Rock Posters.

High resolution photographs and interviews available upon request.

Contact:

Joel Quigley, President & Co-Founder, Creative Furnace
Ph: (707) 495-0831
email: joel@creativefurnace.com

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At the beginning of May 2011, House Band Wines hit the road to Hollywood, California to participate in MUSEXPO: United Nations of Music & Media. Selected as the house wine for the conference’s music showcases at SIR Sound Stages (yes, the place has an in-house cafe with two bars!), founder Patrick Krutz and his wife Rebecca mixed, mingled and rocked it out with musical artists and executives from around the world. They also spent a fair amount of time talking food and wine with SIR’s Executive Chef Frank Miller, pictured here with Rebecca and Patrick.

“We were completely stoked with the response we got to our first major event with House Band Wines,” said Patrick. “It was a bit nerve racking on the first evening because prior to the music showcases, A&R Worldwide hosted receptions featuring luxury wines, including our own Krutz Family Cellars wines. Things went so well folks were even buying House Band during the hosted tasting and loving it. Whew!”

The House Band crew also met one-on-one with their favorite MUSEXPO showcase artists, inviting them to become part of our family of featured artists. Stay tuned for upcoming stories, tour updates, pics, and videos about these breaking artists. Our hope is that you’ll love them, too, and support their creative efforts by scoring tickets to shows and buying songs to help keep the music world spinning ‘round!

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Pictured left to right are Winemaker Jeff Gaffner of Saxon Brown, Winemaker Don Van Staaveren of Three Sticks, Winemaker James Hall of Patz & Hall, Winemaker Tor Kenward of Tor, Winemaker Jason Kesner of Kistler Vineyards, Viticulturist Steve Tylicki of Steele Wines, Winemaker Brian Loring of Loring Wine Company, and Proprietor Bill Price of Durell Vineyard and Three Sticks

(Sonoma, CA, May 26, 2011) -- Proprietor Bill Price of Price Family Vineyards and Three Sticks Wines hosted the Second Annual Durell Vineyard Spring luncheon amongst the vines and native oaks on Wednesday, May 18th in the Sonoma Valley. Along with guest winegrowers who source wine grapes from the famed Durell Vineyard, media, trade and special guests sampled new releases of 2008 Durell Chardonnays from Tor, Autuer, Saxon Brown, Three Sticks, Chasseur, Kistler and Loring. The 2008s were followed by older Durell Chardonnay vintages including 2005 Robert Craig, 2005 Three Sticks, 2004 Chasseur, 2004 Kistler and a 2003 Patz & Hall. The winemakers shared the older vintages to prove the point that Durell Chardonnay can age gracefully with some of the best in the world. The tasting closed with 2007 Durell Pinot Noirs from Chateau St. Jean, Three Sticks, Loring, Saxon Brown and De Loach.

Media Contacts:

Prema Behan, Three Sticks Wines
(415) 419-2423 / pbehan@classicwinesllc.com

Joel Quigley, Creative Furnace
(707) 495-0831 / joel@creativefurnace.com

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NEWS RELEASE ~ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stellar Americana & Singer-Songwriter Talent from the Hotel Cafe Tour to Route Through Rootstock

Artisan Food Purveyors: a Diverse Mix of Street Cuisine Served from Trucks, Carts, Trailers & a Bustaurant

(Santa Rosa, CA, May 18^th 2011) — Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square and executive producer Creative Furnace announced today the artisan food purveyor and musical artist line up for the 2011 Rootstock: The Great Gastronomic Wine, Street Food & Music Festival. The Rootstock Festival takes place on Saturday, July 16^th from 2pm to 7pm and will bring together fine wine tasting, gourmet street foods, a Best Bites Invitational Competition, TasteLive streaming broadcast, and live music from the main stage. A portion of the day’s proceeds benefit Worth Our Weight, a non-profit organization that apprentices young people age 16 to 24 who have faced major challenges in their lives. Tickets are $35 each advance online and $45 at the gate if available. Complete event details and tickets are at www.RootstockFestival.com.

"We wanted our artisan food purveyors to represent a wide array of cuisines and venue formats," said Joel Quigley, co-founder and president of Creative Furnace. "We have the top local food trucks, an Airstream trailer, a BBQ trailer, carts, a scooter, a market tent, and a bustaurant out of San Francisco. On the musical side, we have taken a more national approach by partnering with the Hotel Cafe Tour to showcase brilliant Americana and the singer-songwriters on the rise. Our mission is to present an afternoon of great tastes and discovery."

The Music Line Up
Brian Wright, Jim Bianco, The Milk Carton Kids, Holly Conlan, Erin McLaughlin, and Ladies Gun Club.

Click Here to Visit the Rootstock Festival Musical Artist Web Page with Featured Videos

The Artisan Street Food Line Up
Along with the 30-plus wineries to whet the appetite, Rootstock's artisan food purveyors will satiate guests with a diversity of cuisine created from locally sourced ingredients by some of the region's best chefs.

Chef Christopher Greenwald of Bay Laurel Culinary will serve up wine-friendly global comfort cuisine from his Gastro Shack cart.

Chef Chuck of Dim Sum Charlie's will dish up 100% organic, gluten free Dim Sum from his converted Airstream trailer.

Chef Mateo Granados, a staple at local farmers' markets, is gaining fame by creating Yucatán dishes made with local ingredients.

Chef Alma Mendez of La Texanita Mobil combines authentic dishes from the occident of Mexico served from her food truck.

Chef Hugh Schick of Le Truc, a bustaurant based in San Francisco, presents dishes prepared with and paired with artisan craft brews.

Chef Larry Vito, with his 4,000 lb Smokehouse BBQ Pit and James Beard credentials, will offer a mixed menu of 5-star BBQ dishes.

Purveyor Jill Dorman of Street-eatz Mobil Kitchen will serve up "flavors of the world" from her food truck.

And last but not least, the festival's beneficiary, Worth Our Weight, will cleanse palates with wine and fruit sorbets created by her students and served from the school's market cart, which was donated to WOW by Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri.

Celebrity Guests Include
Ziggy, The Wine Gal of KRSH 95.9 FM as Mistress of Ceremonies; Heather Irwin of Bite Club Eats heading up the Best Bites Invitational Competition; Alan Kropf, editor-in-chief of Mutineer magazine, hosting a special edition of Beverage Late Night; and chef, cookbook author, and TV personality Bob Blumer aka Surreal Gourmet, as seen on TV Food Network’s Glutton for Punishment, hosting the TasteLive.com streaming broadcast sponsored by CellarPass.com. Wineries, gourmet street food purveyors, and musical artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square is already home to four outstanding wineries with production facilities including, D’Argenzio Winery, Krutz Family Cellars, Sheldon Wines, and MJ Lords Wine Cellars, as well as Squire Cigars. The urban wine center is now expanding with its Wineyard facility to include eight more wineries, including SRJC’s Shone Farms, and the Rustico Cibo Culinary Kitchen, plus much more. Final winery line up will be announced in coming weeks.

Along with Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square as the presenting sponsor, and partners listed above, other top sponsors include the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, City of Santa Rosa, Sonoma County GoLocal, Flamingo Convention Resort & Spa, Levi’s GranFondo, and Boyle & Stoll CPA Company, Sole Desire and Sorento Imports' Cafe Scooteria.

Sponsors and wineries wishing to present at Rootstock Festival may contact Joel Quigley at 707.495.0831 or email joel@creativefurnace.com. Sponsorships are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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