For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Frances Larose / Hilary Laurie
650.548.6700 / hlaurie@prmagic.com 

San Francisco to Host Largest Competition of American Wines in the World

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition to feature every significant type and style of wine, from each of the major wine-producing regions.

(San Francisco, CA, November 2007) – Prepare your palate for an indulgent experience as The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC) offers tastings of the country’s finest wines, February 16, 2008 at Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion. Each of these delectable offerings will have been evaluated by a panel of over 60 professional wine judges at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds as they unite for four days in January 2008. The Stonestreet Winery, in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley, is proud to be the official host and sponsor of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The world's largest competition of American wines, the SFCWC is much more than a wine tasting. It’s a wine and food experience, heightened by breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County, and the San Francisco Bay. Featured at this event will be a tasting of hand-crafted creations from some of the world's premier artisan food purveyors, including award winning artisan breads, savory meats, exotic oils, hand crafted cheeses, delicious desserts, floral jams, sumptuous sauces, and fabulous creations from Bay Area restaurants. Everyone attending the SFCWC will receive a complimentary Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal wine glass, recently awarded the honor of top rated wine glass by the San Francisco Chronicle. (Wine Section, November 24, 2006).

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition was founded in 1983 as the modestly sized Cloverdale Citrus Fair Wine Competition, and at the time was limited only to wineries located in a 25-mile radius of the Cloverdale fair. The event has evolved immensely over the years, expanding its eligibility to wineries throughout the United States and gaining sponsorship from the San Francisco Chronicle in 2000, appropriately assuming the title the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The event reached new heights this year when it broke world records with 3,800 American wines entered into competition, making it the largest competition of American wines in the world. The beneficiary of the San Francisco Chronicle Competition annually is the Santa Rosa Junior College Wine Studies Program and Culinary Arts Program. The competition salutes these two programs for educational excellence in the field of wine studies and culinary arts.

For all press inquiries, please contact The Larose Group at 650.548.6700, or email hlaurie@prmagic.com

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