Riesling Rendezvous Grand Tasting July 11th to Feature 70 Wineries from Around the World

Woodinville, Wash

Wine lovers will have an unprecedented opportunity to explore the finest Rieslings from seven countries and six U.S. states at the Riesling Rendezvous Grand Tasting Sunday, July 11, 2010. Hosted by Chateau Ste. Michelle, the leading North American Riesling producer and Dr. Loosen, the famed German Riesling estate, the Grand Tasting will be held on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, located 15 miles northeast of Seattle, from 5-8 p.m. Winemakers from Germany, Alsace, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, California, New York and New Jersey will be on hand to celebrate the versatility and enjoyment of Riesling. In addition to showcasing their finest Rieslings, many winemakers will bring a “surprise wine” from their winery to share. An array of Riesling friendly foods will also be featured.

To purchase tickets for the Riesling Rendezvous Grand Tasting, go to ste-michelle.com/Riesling. Tickets are $60. (Attendance is limited to ages 21 and older.)

“Riesling’s popularity just continues to grow,” says Ted Baseler, president of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. “Riesling was the fastest growing wine varietal by U.S. sales in 2009 (according to AC Nielsen)…that is historic. We are fortunate to have these renowned winemakers travel to Seattle to create this rare opportunity to celebrate the great attributes of Riesling.”

The Grand Tasting is part of Riesling Rendezvous, a three-day event July 11-13 designed to bring together leading Riesling experts and producers to explore the versatility of Riesling worldwide. Trade tasting days July 12 & 13 will be held at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue and are dedicated to blind tastings guided by distinguished producers to explore Riesling styles, from the powerful dry wines of Austria, Alsace, Australia and New Zealand to the elegant German variations and flavorful, spicy interpretations from the United States and Canada. The event also features break out sessions on compelling Riesling issues, including:
- Effect of Climate Change on Riesling
- Greening of Riesling, Riesling & Cheese Pairing
- Dry Riesling: 10 Years After
- Let it Rock tasting featuring young German winemakers
- Discovering Austrian Riesling
- Producers Only Roundtable

Tickets are still available for the 3-day package at rieslingrendezvous.com.

Chateau Ste. Michelle has been a champion of Riesling for more than 40 years and was among the first to plant Riesling in the state of Washington. Ste. Michelle was catapulted into the national spotlight when its 1972 Johannisberg Riesling won the now-famous blind tasting of nineteen White Rieslings sponsored by the Los Angeles Times. Today, Chateau Ste. Michelle offers up to eight different Riesling styles designed to showcase the versatility of Riesling and the regional styles within Washington’s Columbia Valley, which produces more Riesling than any other American wine region.

More than a decade ago, Chateau Ste. Michelle teamed up with Ernst Loosen to collaborate on Eroica Riesling, an ultra-premium Washington Riesling. Riesling Rendezvous was born out of this special partnership’s commitment to promote the extraordinary nature of Riesling.

Riesling Rendezvous Grand Tasting Participating Producers:

Australia
- Frankland Estate
- Jacobs Creek
- Jim Barry Wines

Austria
- Domäne Wachau
- Fred Loimer
- Schloss Gobelsburg
- Willi Bründlmayer

Canada
- Cave Spring Cellars
- Henry of Pelham Winery
- Hillebrand Estate Winery
- Inniskillin
- Mission Hill Family Estate
- Thirty Bench Winemakers

France
- Domaine Ostertag
- Domaine Pfister
- Helfrich Winery
- Hugel et Fils

Germany
- Blufeld
- Clemens Busch
- Dönhoff
- Dr. Heger
- Dr. Loosen
- Egon Müller-Scharzhof
- Gysler
- Josef Leitz
- Koehler-Ruprecht
- Robert Weil
- St. Urbanshof
- Van Volxem

New Zealand
- Forrest Wines
- Framingham Wines
- Villa Maria Estate

United States
California
- Clos du Bois
- Francis Coppola Winery
- Madrona Vineyards
- Trefethen Family Vineyards

Michigan
- Black Star Farms
- Bowers Harbor Vineyards
- Chateau Grand Traverse
- Left Foot Charley

New Jersey
- Alba Vineyard

New York
- Anthony Road Wine Company
- Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars
- Glenora Wine Cellars
- Sheldrake Point

Oregon
- Bridgeview Vineyards
- Brooks Wines
- Chehalem
- Holloran Vineyard Wines
- Montinore Estate
- Troon Vineyard
- Viento
- Willamette Valley Vineyards

Washington
- Chateau Ste. Michelle
- Claar Cellars
- Columbia Crest
- Columbia Winery
- Covey Run
- Dunham Cellars
- Efeste
- Hogue Cellars
- Long Shadows Vintners
- Mercer Estates
- Pacific Rim
- Snoqualmie
- Tsillan Cellars
- Tulip Valley Vineyard and Orchard
- 14 Hands

Riesling Rendezvous is sponsored by Destination Riesling, Austrian Wine Marketing Board, Northern Michigan Wineries and Alsace Wines.

About Chateau Ste. Michelle
Founded in 1934, Chateau Ste. Michelle pioneered vinifera grape growing in Washington state and has been producing classic European varietal wines under the Chateau Ste. Michelle label since 1967. The winery combines an ongoing dedication to research with a commitment to classic winemaking traditions. The winery owns 3,500 acres of vineyards in the Columbia Valley of eastern Washington, including Canoe Ridge Estate and Cold Creek. Chateau Ste. Michelle enjoys winemaking partnerships with two of the world’s most distinguished vintners. Col Solare is an alliance with Tuscany’s Piero Antinori and Eroica Riesling is a partnership with the Mosel’s Ernst Loosen.

About Dr. Loosen Estate
The Dr. Loosen estate has a 200-year tradition of producing Riesling in Germany’s Mosel region. With his modern world view and his traditional approach to winemaking, Ernst Loosen strives to produce wines that unmistakably express the character of Riesling and of the vineyards where they are grown. Decanter magazine named Ernst Loosen 2005 “Man of the Year” for his perseverance in promoting and producing great Rieslings around the world.

Riesling Rendezvous is a service mark of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Ltd.

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For further information:
Lynda Eller
lynda.eller@smwe.com