We have some spectacular events taking place during wine week. Kevin Zraly, Author of Windows of the World will be here, he will be a great treat. We also have coming in from all over the world for Wine Week, some incredible celebrated winemakers on hand, Michael Mondavi, Margo Van Staaveren and Rick Middleton. There are some great things happening including more store events than ever before!

Joining us again this year, the legendary

Michael Mondavi, Founder/Coach of Folio Fine Wine Partners. Folio Wine Partners is an importer, agency and winegrower of quality wines from the world's premiere and emerging wine regions. Folio is also currently providing sales, marketing and public relations services to wine brands from California, Italy, Spain, Austria, New Zealand and Argentina. This year, Michael released his new wine, M by Michael Mondavi, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from his family's vineyard. Michael also co-founded the Robert Mondavi Winery with his late father, Robert Mondavi, in 1966. He is past Chairman of the Wine Market Council, past President of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, past Chairman of the Wine Institute and past Chairman of Winegrowers in California. In 1998, Michael was named "Industry Executive of the Year" by the Market Watch Leaders, a group of top industry executives. In 1997, Michael received the "Who's Who in Food and Wine" award by the James Beard Foundation and, in 1995, he was awarded the "World of Food and Wine" Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kevin Zraly, Author extraordinaire!

Author and Teacher of the Windows on the World Complete Wine Course. His book has sold over 2 million copies. He has taught over 17,000 students this course. He was wine director for the Windows on the World Restaurant atop New York's World Trade Center from 1976 until its destruction on September 11th, 2001. He is the recipient of the James Beard Award for wine and Spirits Professional of the Year. He is also the recipient of the European Wine Council Lifetime Achievement Award. Kevin has been featured in the NY Times, People Magazine, Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

2008 Winemaker of the Year for

The Wine Enthusiasts Star Award, Margo Van Staaveren of Chateau St. Jean. Margo has been a Winemaker with Chateau St. Jean for over 30 years. Margo has played a pivotal role in every facet of the winemaking process. As a winemaker, she makes the final decisions involving blend and style to produce consistently high quality wines in the super premium and luxury category. Margo is a firm believer that great wines are grown, a conviction she shares with the Chateau founders. The art of blending is the cornerstone of Margo's winemaking philosphy. To her, one of the greatest accomplishments is to create a wine style or signature blend that carries from vintage to vintage while still capturing the uniqueness of that particular growing year. Margo was named Winemaker and Director of Operations for Chateau St. Jean in 2003, continuing a rich legacy of winemaking as the fourth winemaker in the winery's history.

2008 "Wine Buyer's Favorite Winery"

Rick Middleton Jr.,Proprietor for Clayhouse Wines. Rick's family has been closely involved with agriculturally related businesses for four generations and is based in Hoquiam, Washington state. In the 1990s the company began to grow table and wine grapes in California. This company is now one of the leading suppliers of table grapes in the United States. Naturally, the next step was to establish a wine brand. Since Rick is a passionate wine lover, he worked with Napa valley winemaker Tom Eddy, gaining hands on experience with small-lot, artisan-style winemaking.

The exceptional

Michael Honig, President and Managing Partner from Honig Vineyards and Winery is excited to take part in another wine week celebration. Michael took over the management o business in 1984 at the young age of 22. Filled with entrepreneurial spirit, he decided to turn around his family's fledgling Napa Valley Winery. With an old meat locker as an office, a shoebox marked "miscellaneous" for an accounting system and no training, Michael began canvassing the streets of San Francisco in his one business suit. During the morning, he'd call on restaurants, hotels and wine shops where he'd pour samples of his wine, and in the afternoon he'd deliver the wine he'd sold from the back of his old Subaru wagon. Over the past twenty years, Michael and the business have grown and matured together. In addition to his management responsibilities, today he travels extensively to promote Honig wines across the country. Michael is on the board of directors of the Wine Institute and served as Chairman of the Committee that developed the workbook on the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing practices.

Returning for the fourth year in a row, the great

Peter Merriam, Owner/Winemaker from Merriam Vineyards . Peter has had many years of experience in the Wine industry. Peter along with his wife, Diana toured the Chateaus of France during their honeymoon in 1982 and they dreamed of having their own vineyard. In 1988, they purchased "Town Wine and Spirits" in Burlington, MA and operated it for 15 years while developing a wine label. In 2000, they bought Windacre, which was one of the first vineyards to be planted in Sonoma County in the 1890s by the Sadoni family.

Back again for the third year

Mark Neal, Owner, Winemaker for Neal Family Vineyards . Mark's fondest memories were as a boy working with his father, Jack, side-by-side in the vineyards. Through Jack's hardwork, he started his own vineyard management company in 1968. Mark has dedicated his life for caring for some of the most sought after vineyards and wine grapes in the country. In 2001, Mark accomplished his family dream of of building his own winery. The beauty and simplicity of the Napa Valley is exemplified by his winery and the richness and complexity of the valley's soil is evident in the wine that he produces.

Returning again, we are thrilled Joseph is back!

In 2005, Joseph who is also an award-winning Sommelier and former wine industry executive formed a boutique negociant firm with the intention of producing elegant, sophisticated and approachable world class wines from Napa Valley. Working with a team of winemakers, artists, coopers and small growers from Napa Valley, Joseph Carr Wines offer a portfolio of wines which are made for the discriminating consumer and targeted toward the fine dining restaurants and select wine shops. In February, 2006, Mr. Carr collaborated with Ted Edwards and released his limited production of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. In less than five months this 2,500 case production sold out and has graced some of the best restaurant programs in the country.

Adam is here for his 4th year!

Adam Lazarre, Winemaker for Hahn Estates . Adam was introduced to California wines while in the U.S. Navy stationed at the Naval Base in Alameda, California. After the Navy, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a winemaker and enrolled and graduated from California State University, Fresno. During his studies, Adam discovered and fell in love with the wines of the Central Coast. "I like everyone to think what I do is magic, and there's alot of artistry, you really have to rely upon a palate and nose, ultimately, that's the most important thing: that the wine tastes great," he says. "All of the science in the world doesn't help if your wine doesn't taste good. In reality though, it is a fine balance between science and art".

Here again by popular demand,

Gianni Abate, Winemaker for Morgan Winery. Gianni began working in the wine industry in the San Joaquin Valley where he was raised by a wine drinking Italian family. Working for companies such as Bronco, Delicato and Woodbridge, he laid out a good foundation for his winemaking career. Gianni's love for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay brought him to the Central Coast in 2002. Gianni came to Morgan Winery from the Robert Mondavi corporation. His experiences on the Central Coast have taught him to balance the science and the art of winemaking. He has a tremendous palate, which is necessary to produce world-class wines. Gianni likes to make wine and he loves to make wine better.

The Hysterical, Philip di Belardino is back!

Philip di Belardino, Vice-President of Fine Wines at Banfi Vintners . Philip is often described as a stand-up comedian passing himself off as a wine connoisseur. Well, he is both! He claims that humor, usually self effacing, captures an audience's attention and hold it. Philip began his wine career in 1973 in his family's business. Mediterrean Imports. He held a key position with the company when it was sold a decade later and continued as spokesman for an extensive and prestigious portfolio of European brands until he joined Banfi in 1999.

John Buehler, Winemaker/Owner of Buehler Vineyards . In 1971, John Buehler Senior bought a remote Napa Valley hillside property. As John Senior built his retirement home, John Jr began to fulfill his life-long ambition of becoming a wine grower. Dabbling as a home winemaker in the early years, John Jr was satisfied selling grapes to other wineries. Only after years of constant praise for the quality and complexity of the hillside fruit did John decide to make the first vintage of Buehler Vineyards wine. In 1978, John hand-crushed 700 cases of wine. Pleased by the results, he gradually increased production. Buehler has proven itself to critics and consumers alike as a winery that can be relied upon for excellent wines, vintage after vintage, at prices real wine-lovers can afford.

With great excitement, we are happy to announce

Pat Henderson, Senior Winemaker for Kenwood Vineyards will be here. A veteran of 28 vintages in the wine business. In addition to his work at Kenwood, he is also a winemaking instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College where he has taught since 1991. A graduate of the Viticulture and Enology program at the the University of California at Davis, Pat supplemented his formal education by working at five different wineries while he was going to school. After graduation he worked both in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys before taking his first position as head winemaker at Hedges Cellars in Washington State in 1995. After returning from the Northwest, he became winemaker at Valley of the Moon winery where he worked for 6 years before returning to Kenwood Vineyards where he previously served as enologist 10 years before. pat is also a member of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture as well as the Society for Wine Educators and has recently co-authored the book About Wine, a textbook on wine for culinary students.

Jason has come back to join us for a second year!

Jason Diefenderfer, Winemaker from Treana . Jason has been at Treana since 1988 and was named Liberty School Winemaker in 2006. No stranger to agriculture, JC grew up on his family's ranch in the Carrizo Plains east of the Paso Robles region. He managed farm and ranching operations for King Ranch until 1997 when he began working with the Hope family to design and build their facility in Paso Robles. "It was a very clear approach to winemaking that intrigued me about Treana: Wines are made in the vineyard". Since the brand's inception, Liberty School wines have represented outstanding quality and value. Jason oversees the day-to-day operations of his production crew using traditional, time tested techniques in the winery.

Tom Eddy, Owner, Winemaker of Tom Eddy Wines . The first vintage of Tom Eddy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was in 1991 but Tom has been in the wine business much longer than that. Tom graduated in the U.C. Davis degree in 1974 and did a requisite in a few big wineries and then settled in the North Coast as general manager and winemaker at Souverain Winery in Geyserville. Tom then accepted the task of revitalizing winemaking at Christian Brothers Winery in Napa. While buying grapes for Christian Brothers, Tom discovered many of the small quality conscious grape growers that he works with today. After more than 30 years of making wine in California, Tom settled in Calistoga.

Guido Orzalesi from Altesino Winery. Guido holds a doctorate in law from the University of Florence and after graduating worked for several years in real estate. In 2003, Claudio Basia, Altesino's General Manager suggested he join the winery. Guido is Assistant Director and Director of Sales and Marketing. In addition to those duties, he assists Claudio in the general management and production of the estate.

John Matta, Owner, Winemaker of Castello Vicchiomaggio The Matta family is from Asti in Northern Italy and have been involved in the wine business for many generations. John was born in London and his father set up a wine import business there in the 1950's. John attended Agriculture college in Italy at Alba where he specialized in viticulture and winemaking and completed his studies by working a year in Burgundy, Nuits St Georges. He now oversees the family estate at Greve in Chianti that was acquired in 1964. Wines produced by the Matta family estates have an overriding style of freshness and fruit without being heavy or overpowering. Over the years the Matta family has gained accolades including the Gambero Rosso 3 Glass Award on three occasions. They have also won the coveted British IWSC Italian Winemaker of the Year Awards in 1997, 2003 and 2005.

Fernando Pavon, International Wine Ambassador for Vinedos Emiliana S.A. Fernando's passion for agriculture and commitment to the organic movement make him an ideal Wine Ambassador. Collectively, the Emiliana vineyards and wine estates in Chile represent South America's preeminent source of world-class quality organic and biodynamic wines. Fernando began his career at Vinedos Emiliana in 2005 as Director of Hospitality and Tourism. His warm and engaging personality and ability to communicate in English as well as his native spanish made his the ideal candidate and he became the International Wine Ambassador for Emiliana's wine portfolio in 2007. Fernando now spends much of his time in the United States hosting wine dinners, leading seminars and conducting wine tastings for Emiliana's prestigious biodynamic and organic portfolio. In 2007, Fernando received a Sommeliers Degree from the renowned Escuela de Sommelier de Chile. He is also a member of the International Sommeliers Association.

David Mirassou, Winemaker for Mirassou Winery. The Mirassou family has been growing grapes and crafting wines since 1854. Today, David is continuing the legacy as a sixth generation winemaker for the Mirassou family, dedicated to the continuing tradition of excellence in winemaking. In 2004, the family celebrated 150 years in the wine business. David serves as the company spokesperson in addition to being involved in the day-to-day activities of the winery from planting to bottling. In David's travels he has noticed that people are looking for brighter wines that are approachable and food friendly, expressive and true to their character and this fits perfectly with his own philosphy. David enjoys talking about wines at wine dinners and events all over the country. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the California Culinary Academy's Educational Foundation.

David Hopkins, Winemaker for Bridlewood Estate Winery. David broadens his vineyard selections to blend different flavors and characteristics to achieve a "house style". He takes advantage of the diversity of flavors available. His philosophy is to follow the flavor and to blend from the best grapes that he can find for character and balance. David brings experience as well as a artistic impulse to his work. Hopkins works on the 40 acres of estate Syrah vines to show "exactly what our home vineyard is capable of".

Emanuele Nardi, European Export Manager and Winemaker of Tenute Silvio Nardi. This company has made an old-fashioned farm into a sucessful, modern winery. Anyone can look across the ordered vineyards and feel proud of the accomplishments, although there is still much work to be done. The wines of Tenute Silvio Nardi are numbered among Montalcino's best. The goal now is to make them even more expressive. "To drink a great wine", says Owner Emilia Nardi, "is to catch the beauty of the moment: fleeting but memorable. In my wines, I look for the same sensations you get from touching silk, sleek and sensuous, light and elegant, tangible yet delicate."

Francesco Zonin, Vice-President of Casa Vinicola Zonin , Italy's largest privately-owned wine company. He was born in 1974 in Vicenza Italy and is the second of three sons of Gianni Zonin, Chairman/President of Casa Vinicola Zonin based in Gambellara, in the province of Vicenza. He specialized in Science at secondary school prior to graduating in Business and Economics from the Bocconi University in Milan. After graduating, Francesco moved to the United States in 1999 in order to build on the knowledge he had acquired during the course of his studies. He also aimed to gain first-hand experience of what was becoming an export market of vital importance for his family's firm. After work experience in NY, Chicago, Los Angeles and the Napa Valley, he began to take on direct responsibility for the sales networks of Zonin's American Distributors in the east and west coast. Since returning to Italy in 2003, Francesco has been based at the family's headquarters where he is in charge of the sales department, both for the home and export markets.

Jorge Liloy of Billington Imports . Jorge was born in Columbia, South America. He came to the United States to study Medical Technology in the 1980s and learned biochemistry and this subject inspired him to learn and understand wine and food and the relationship between them. He graduated in 1988 with with a Bachelors of Science in Medical Technology from Kean University. During his studies, Jorge supported himself by working in the food and beverage industry as Restaurant Manager and Wine Director at the Grand Summitt Hotel in New Jersey. In 1993 he joined the Ryland Inn Restaurant as Wine Director. In 1997, he then joined the Patria Restaurant as General Manager and Wine Director. He began his current journey to Billington Imports in 2003 as Brand and Supplier Relations Manager, he is also the educator for the sales force and distributors nationwide. He has completed the Certificate Course from teh Sommelier Society of America and Certificate Course from the Court of Master Sommelier. He is also part of the American Sommelier Association and Society of Wine Educators.

David Whitehouse Jr., Wine Master, Vice President of Vineyards/Winery Oper Trefethen Family Vineyards . David joined Trefethen Family Vineyards in 1975 after stints at Robert Mondavi and Callaway wineries. Not coincidentally, Trefethen's 1976 Chardonnay was named "Best in the World" in 1979 at the World Wine Olypics in Paris. As Vice President of Vineyards and Winery Operations, David has guided Trefethen's winegrowing efforts for over thirty years.

Julian Clusellas, President and Founding Director ofLa Puerta Winery. In the 15 years that I have been at La Puerta, it has become much more than a job. I have learned about agricultural crops and planted with my own hands, each vine and seedling and have taken care of them like they were a part of my family. Additionally, I have felt the enormous responsibility of guiding a team that as a result of our remote location also had to learn important tasks (i.e. winemaking) from visiting "experts" in short periods of time that required extensive on-the-job training. I am very proud to employ over 70 people on a full-time basis, this is quite a feat for our team especially noting the fact that we are in a region where poverty was the rule and not the exception.

Carla Snow, MSW Wine Educator for A Grape Affair. Carla is New Hampshire's first female certified specialist of wine. Carla specializes in making the world of wine a less intimidating place. Carla lived in Australia to study at Le Cordon Bleu for a year earning both culinary and sommelier certificates. She then moved to Bordeaux and then to Rhone to apprentice with the world's best wine makers. Upon her return to NH, she began working with a local wine importer and distributor sharing her skill and knowledge of wine.

Anthony Truchard, II of Truchard Vineyards. Established in 1973 in the Napa Valley, Truchard Vineyards was one of the pioneers of the Carneros region in Southern Napa. Today, Truchard Vineyards is known for their estate grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Chris Page, Assistant Winemaker for Page Wine Cellars. Inspired by the idea of creating distinctive wines, Page Wine Cellars gathers premium Napa Valley grapes to produce wine in the Grand Bordeaux tradition. The wine was named after the founder of the Winery, Bryan Page. "PAGE" is inspired by the tradition of the St. Emilion and Pomerol regions of Bordeaux, France and the New World expressions of Napa Valley. The blend utilizes Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to produce a lush, medium to full bodied red wine.

Adrian Barberis, Owner of Bodega Familia Barberis Winery. The family first became involved in winemaking during the 1960s when Don Humberto purchased vineyards in the Santa Rosa region of Mendoza. After years of selling excellent grapes to other wineries, he and his children purchased their own winery in 1989. Today, the children of Don Humberto carry on this family tradition and continue to produce wines recognized nationally and internationally. Adrian Barberis, the oldest of Don Humberto's children Adrian, started working in the family business in 1982, in 1989 Adrian spearheaded a comprehensive renovations of the winery in order to begin producing even higher quality wine; thus moving the winery into a new phase and pursuing new markets around the world. While success is important to Adrian, he finds great pleasure in furthering the family dream of owning a successful winery, along with his brothers and sisters.

Louis de Coninck, Winemaker for Beaucanon Estate Beaucanon Estate reflects the proud history and experience of the de Coninck family of St. Emilion. Located in beautiful Napa Valley, on the historic Longwood Ranch. Our vineyards provide outstanding grapes that, with the blessings of nature and the knowledgeable hands of exprienced Bordelaise winemaker, become epic and uncommon wines, expressing the intense fruit quality of California along with the balance and elegance of Bordeaux.

Rob Stuart, Winemaker for R. Stuart and Company .After making wine for other people for more than twenty years, Rob Stuart and his partners founded R. Stuart in 2002. With a degree in biochemistry from Rensselear Polytechnic Institute in NY. Rob started his winemaking journey in on the bottling line at Hans Kornell in Napa, California. From there he went on to work in the cellar at Valley View Vineyards and then to Stanton Hills in Yakima, Washington where he made wine for 10 years. In 1994, he returned to Oregon when he became winemaker for Erath Vineyards, his home away from home until he started his current adventure. Now he makes the wine he loves, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Sparkling wine.

Melissa Stroud, Assistant Winemaker from Michael-David Vineyards .Melissa double majored in Wine Marketing and Enology in College. The Michael Phillips family has been farming fruits and vegetables in the Lodi Region since the 1860s. These days, Michael and David Phillips represent the fifth generation of wine growers in Lodi and things are changing. With 500 acres of premium wine grapes, there is plenty of room for experimentation and innovation. Michael-David Winery strives to use all natural methods including integrated pest management, beneficial insects for pest control, trellising, leaf pulling and natural mined sulfur for mildew control.

Bill Murphy, Owner and CEO of Clos La Chance Winery. Bill runs the day-to-day operations in all aspects of the business. Bill worked for 30 years as Director of Internet Marketing at Hewlett Packard, he retired in 2000. His passion for wine was invoked in his formative years after working part-time jobs at the local white-tablecloth restaurant in Lawrence, MA. A move to Northern California created the opportunity to make wine on a hobby level. Clos La Chance was born from this hobby, "run amok" and Bill's true passion in life has been "unearthed" to develop a successful wine business. Throughout both his career in technology and the wine industry, Bill has been very active in industry and non-profit advisory boards. He currently resides as Chairman of the Board of Visitors and Fellows at U.C. Davis' Department of Viticulture and Enology.

Matthew Glynn, Senior Winemaker of Acacia Winery. His experience with Pinot Noir and Chardonney goes back to his college years when he began developing his techniques for making Pinot Noir Chardonnay at Domaine Chandon. While pursuing a graduating degree in viticulture and enology at U.C. Davis , Matthew received a laureate award from the Conferie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, France's most famous wine brotherhood which allows him to continue his studies of winemaking techniques in Burgundy. Matthew developed his expertise with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils, Domaine de l'Arlot and Domaine Dujac. He learned all aspects of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from trellis management to winemaking for Premier Cru and Grand Cru Wines. Matthew worked as an enologist and assistant winemaker at Gallo of Sonoma, but his passion for Burgundian varietals made him an ideal member of Acacia when he joined the team as assistant winemaker in 2005.

Gabe Magee, Director of National Sales for Belle Vallee Cellars . After graduating from college, Gabe assisted with his dad, Mike and winemaker, Joe Wright to to build a new winery. He began working full-time with the winery in 2004, working directly with Joe in the cellar room and in the vineyards with a hands-on philosphy. In 2006, Gabe moved into sales and now is directly responsible for National Sales. Belle Vallee Cellars is a small winery located in Corvallis, Oregon. They specialize in Pinot Noir and also make a Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Gris and a special Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Port.

Shawn Faust, One of America's most famous Equine Artists. Shawn has always had a strong desire to find beauty in the world around him and share it through his art. His paintings are a visual celebration of his love for life. Shawn graduated from the University of Delaware in 1990 with his Bachelor's in Fine Art and then furthered his studies in 1992 with world renowned master portrait artist, Daniel Greene. He is an award winning artist in portraiture and equine art. Shawn is a founding member of The Portrait Society of America and an Associate Member of The American Academy of Equine Art. His appreciation for all his favorite subjects which include horses, humans and landscapes are clearly evident by the heightened attention he gives when capturing their detail. Vision has always remained at the heart of Faust's painting philosophy. It is the artist's ability to train their eyes to see three dimensional form and study all its physical attributes so that it can be accurately translated on a two dimensional surface.