Conn Creek Named International "Best of Wine Tourism" Award Winner

Winery's AVA Room Recognized as Innovative Wine Tourism Experience

Conn Creek Winery’s AVA Room Barrel Blending Experience, a unique tasting and blending experience allowing wine lovers of all levels to taste their way through the Cabernet Sauvignons of the Napa Valley in one stop, has been named the international winner of the “Innovative Wine Tourism Experience” award at the 2011 Best of Wine Tourism Awards.

The awards, sponsored by the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, acknowledge the achievements of leading innovators in each of nine international wine regions recognized as a great wine capital.

Conn Creek had previously been named San Francisco/Napa Valley regional winner of the Innovation category, one of seven categories in which the awards are presented. The winery competed for the international title against other regional winners from Bilbao/Rioja, Spain; Bordeaux, France; Cape Town, South Africa; Christchurch/South Island, New Zealand; Florence, Italy; Mainz/Rheinhessen, Germany; Mendoza, Argentina; and Porto, Portugal.

“Our goal in creating the AVA Room is to offer visitors to Napa Valley an unforgettable wine experience unique to our winery,” said Conn Creek Winemaker Mike McGrath. “It’s a thrill to be recognized for reaching this goal and we’re proud to contribute to Napa Valley’s reputation as a premier wine destination.”

Founded in 1973 and located on Napa Valley’s famed Silverado Trail, Conn Creek has built its reputation on blending expertise, sourcing grapes from nearly all of Napa Valley’s diverse sub-appellations to create wines that truly showcase “the best of Napa Valley.”

The AVA Room opened its doors in June, 2009 and is open to the public by appointment six days a week, offering a hands-on tasting tour of Napa Valley Cabernets from Carneros to Calistoga. During the guided, two-hour seminar, participants taste barrel samples of Cabernet Sauvignon from nearly all of Napa’s 15 sub-appellations, organized by McGrath according to flavor and richness. Participants also taste other Bordeaux blending varietals before creating a bottle of their own blend to take home that same day, and have the opportunity to add their blend to a virtual blending gallery located on the winery’s website.

“At Conn Creek we pride ourselves on offering visitors to Napa Valley outstanding wines and a world-class experience,” said Conn Creek Hospitality Manager Paul Asikainen. “It’s an honor to have been recognized for our success among a group of such esteemed wineries from around the globe.”

The AVA Room Barrel Blending Experience at Conn Creek is open to the public by appointment Thursdays through Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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For further information:
Grace Doyle
425.415.3359
grace.doyle@smwe.com