Rhone Rangers Ride into Washington DC

WASHINGTON - May 5, 2014 - PRLog -- Media Contact:
Cheryl Quist
800 467-0163
cheryl.quist@rhonerangers.org

Albion, Calif. (May 5, 2014)  For two days in June, wine lovers are invited to join the Rhone Rangers for a variety of tasting events focusing on American Rhone wines.  More than 400 consumers and members of the trade are expected to attend for the opportunity to taste more than 80 of the best Rhône-style wines made in America. Tickets are now on sale at: http://www.rhonerangers.org.

“We are very excited about our visit to Washington DC, where we will celebrate the craftsmanship of American winemakers producing wines from the 22 grape varieties approved by the Cotes du Rhône,” said David Gates, president of the Rhone Rangers board.  “Our nation’s capital, with the highest wine consumption in the country, is a great market and our winemakers want to show their small-lot, hand-crafted wines to locals who seldom have the chance to taste them.”  All events on Wednesday June 4 take place at The Long View Gallery, 1234 9th St NW, Washington DC.  On June 5 there will be two winemaker dinners, one at Charlie Palmer Steak, 101 Constitution Ave, Washington D.C. and the other at Willow Restaurant, 4301 Fairfax Drive, Arlington VA.

EVENT DETAILS:
Wednesday, June 4, 10:30 a.m. - Seminar, Long View Gallery, Washington DC
This seminar, open to trade and media, will provide an opportunity to understand the taste profiles of the principal Rhone varieties and will include wines from Bonny Doon Vineyard (Santa Cruz, CA), Donelan (Sonoma County, CA), Eberle (Paso Robles, CA), Horton Vineyards (Orange County, VA), Ridge Vineyards (Sonoma County, CA), Tablas Creek (Paso Robles, CA), Two Shepherds (Sonoma County, CA) and Wrath (Monterey County, CA).  The seminar will be moderated by David White, founder and editor of Terroirist (blog) and a freelance writer for The World of Fine Wines, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post.  Tickets, $35/each, are available online at www.rhonerangers.org.

Wednesday, June 4, 1 - 4 p.m. - Trade & Media Tasting, Long View Gallery, Washington DC
Twenty wineries will pour more than 80 wines for the wine trade and media.  Tickets are complimentary for those who directly influence the purchase of wine including sommeliers, chef-restaurant owners, wine writers, wine retailers, wine wholesalers, distributors and brokers.  To register, visit www.rhonerangers.org.

Wednesday, June 4, 5:30 – 9 p.m. - Consumer Tasting, Long View Gallery, Washington DC
Grand Tasting VIP Admission.  Wine lovers can secure early entry to the Grand Tasting by purchasing VIP tickets. More than 80 wines will be available to taste as well as a selection of appetizers.  VIP tickets are $90 and are only available online at www.rhonerangers.org.

Wednesday, June 4,  7 – 9 p.m.  - Grand Tasting General Admission
Some of the country’s best producers of Rhone wines will be in attendance for this two hour tasting experience.  Tickets are available in advance for $55 at www.rhonerangers.org.  Space permitting, tickets may also be available at the door $65.

PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online.  For more information go to http://www.rhonerangers.org or call 800 467-0163.

Ticket prices are as follows:

·  Seminar: $35
·  Trade & Media Tasting: exclusively for credentialed trade (tickets are complimentary)
·  Consumer Tasting: VIP, $90
·  Consumer Tasting: General Admission - $55 advance, $65 at the door (space permitting)
·  Winemaker Dinner: Charlie Palmer Steak - for tickets and information call the restaurant at (202) 547-8100.
·  Winemaker Dinner: Willow Restaurant - for tickets and information call the restaurant at (703) 465-8800.

About the Rhone Rangers
The Rhone Rangers are a group of roughly 150 wineries dedicated to making wines from the 22 grape varieties originally made famous in France’s Rhone Valley.  These varieties range from the better-known Syrah and Viognier to the up-and-coming Mourvèdre, Grenache and Roussanne, to obscure (but delicious) grapes like Counoise and Picpoul.

The Rhone Rangers started from a small gathering of American vintners who began meeting informally in the 1980s.  As their numbers expanded, the group organized under the name “Rhone Rangers.”  The Rhone Rangers is a non-profit organization focused on promoting the enjoyment of Rhone varietal wines produced in the United States.  These grapes include the 22 traditional varieties approved by the French government for the Côtes du Rhone, as well as Durif (Petite Sirah).  In order for a winery to join the Rhone Rangers, they must produce at least one wine that contains 75% of any single approved varietal (or combination of these varietals).