Press

MEDIA ADVISORY

CONTACT: Samantha Sosniak
PHONE: 412.621.7494 x 14
April 29, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 7th Annual Pittsburgh Wine Festival

WHO: Produced by the Wine Festival LLC; presented by the Pennsylvania
Liquor Control Board (PLCB) and Comcast; and sponsored by UPMC,
EQT Corporation, Giant Eagle Market District and WTAE to benefit
Innovation and Discovery at UPMC and The University of Pittsburgh.
WHAT: One of the largest wine festivals in the country. More than 140 wineries
from around the world participating; serving more than 500 wines.
WHERE: The Club Lounges at Heinz Field
100 Art Rooney Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
WHEN: April 30, 2009
VIP Tasting will run from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Grand Tasting will run from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
(VIPs are welcome to stay for the Grand Tasting also)
WHY: Festival attendees will have a chance to sample wines from France, Italy,
Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Australia, Germany, Chile, New Zealand, as
well as California, Pennsylvania and the Pacific Northwest.
TICKETS: $250 for VIP
$125 for Grand Tasting
Tickets can be purchased online at www.pittsburghwinefestival.com.
Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door.
INTERVIEWS: Ed Harrell, Dale Markham and members of the Festival staff, PLCB
wine specialists and select Winemakers are available for interviews.

For more information about The Pittsburgh Wine Festival visit www.pittsburghwinefestival.com. To set up local interviews contact Samantha Sosniak at 412.621.7494 x 14 or ssosniak@elisco.com.

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CONTACT#1: John Elisco, President, Elisco Advertising
PHONE: 412.621.7494 x 15
EMAIL: jelisco@elisco.com

CONTACT#2: Dale Markham, Pittsburgh Wine Festival
PHONE: 412.281.2681
EMAIL: dmarkham@pittsburghwinefestival.com

CONTACT #3: Nick Hays/Francesca Chapman, PLCB
PHONE: 717.783.8864
EMAIL: nhays@state.pa.us; frachapman@state.pa.us

SEVENTH ANNUAL PITTSBURGH WINE FESTIVAL
ATTRACTS CELEBRITY CHEF AND WINE MAKERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pittsburgh, PA – April 27, 2009 – The Pittsburgh Wine Festival, which will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2009, in the Club Lounges at Heinz Field, is once again attracting top wine makers, plus an award-winning celebrity chef.

“Guests always look forward to meeting wine and food personalities during the Festival,” said Ed Harrell, President of the Wine Festival. “And this year we have some intriguing celebrities who are participating in the event.”

Some of the visiting dignitaries include:

  • Bill Wolf, owner of Eagle Eye winery in Napa. Bill was born in the Pittsburgh area and raised in Jefferson Boro. He and his wife studied wine making in Europe, Australia and America.
  • Ricardo Penalba, owner of Finca Torremilanos in Spain. He is a hands-on wine maker with impressive credentials from around the world.
  • Deborah and Edward Wallo, owners of Yorkville Cellars, Mendocino County, the only known winery that grows all eight of the main Bordeaux grapes and then bottles each individually as a varietal. Certified organic and recognized in “Top 100 Wines of the Year” listings.
  • Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, a highly acclaimed chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and Public Television cooking show host. Her latest series, Lidia’s Italy, was nominated for an Emmy. Her restaurants are renowned for authentic Italian food.

TIMES FOR THE EVENT

The time for the VIP Tasting has been expanded by a half-hour this year so that guests can sample some exclusive offerings, in addition to the full range of premium wines. The VIP Tasting will run from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. (VIPs are welcome to stay for the Grand Tasting also). The Grand Tasting will be from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased online at www.pittsburghwinefestival.com. Prices are $250 for the VIP Tasting and $125 for the Grand Tasting.

SPONSORS AND BENEFICIARY

The 2009 Pittsburgh Wine Festival is produced by the Pittsburgh Wine Festival LLC; presented by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) and Comcast; and sponsored by UPMC, EQT Corporation and Giant Eagle Market District to benefit Innovation and Discovery at UPMC and The University of Pittsburgh.

SPECIAL EVENT

As part of the Wine Festival, UPMC’s McGowan Institute is holding a fundraiser on April 29 at the Wine Loft. For details go to the Festival website.

BUY WINE AT FESTIVAL

You can purchase your favorite wines, including discounted Chairman's Selections, at the Festival's on-site PA Wine & Spirits Store. Rare cult wines will also be available for purchase; wineries include Aubert Vineyards, Colgin, Harlan Estate, Kosta Browne, Screaming Eagle, Grace Family, DuMol, Kongsgaard Hudson Vineyard, Turley Hayne Vineyard, and Marcassin.

WINE DINNERS AT RESTAURANTS

The following restaurants are hosting dinners that feature food and wine parings during Festival week: The Carlton, UUBU 6, Common Plea (sold out), Springfield Grille. More information on Festival website.

INTERVIEWS

Bill Wolf, Ricardo Penalba, Deborah and Edward Wallo, Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, Ed Harrell, members of the Festival staff, and PLCB wine specialists are available for interviews.

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The Pittsburgh Wine Festival
1 Riverfront Center, 20 Stanwix Street,
9th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 USA

412-281-2681

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