Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific Region Celebrates Santa Barbara County Wineries

"A Collaboration" Celebrating the Partnership between Whole Foods Market and top Santa Barbara County Wineries

WHAT:
"A Collaboration" from Margerum Wines
A fivegrape, six vineyard, 18 barrels selection blended from six Santa Barbara County vineyards - Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Counoise, and Cinsault. This wine displays aromas of blackberry and blueberry backed by hints of violets, anise and leather. On the pallet you will find blackberry backed by bright acidity and medium tannins. It is a wonderful food wine, pair with roasted pork, lamb, or even a dish of pasta.

"A Collaboration" from Hitching Post Wines
Bold aromas of flowers, red fruits (the 73% Valdiguie), dark berries, spice and a touch of bacon (the 27% Syrah). At once old-fashioned, rustic and dramatic with a distinctive character like no other wine in my taste memory, yet bold and juicy with forward fruit and big body like a rich California "Modern" style. Not your normal Hitching Post, this one is in your face and easy to enjoy now.

WHERE:
Available at Whole Foods Market locations in southern California

PRICING:
"A Collaboration" from Margerum Wines - Sale Price $19.99 (regular $24.99)
"A Collaboration" from Hitching Post Wines - Sale Price $12.99 (regular 14.99)

DETAILS:
Demonstrating a commitment to local growers, Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific Region is launching a new wine program, "A Collaboration," to celebrate the partnerships between Whole Foods Market and Santa Barbara County wineries. For the first in a series of wines, Whole Foods Market will partner with Margerum Wines and Hitching Post Wines to create two exclusive blends that reflect the Santa Barbara land and the wine makers approach to growing and blending. The project will highlight the tremendous variety, quality, and commitment found just up the coast in Santa Barbara.

SAMPLES:
Hilary Maler at Whole Foods Market, Hilary.Maler@wholefoods.com

About Whole Foods Market:
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFMI), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America's first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named "America's Healthiest Grocery Store" by Health magazine. The company's motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet" captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company's more than 58,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine for 13 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2010, the company had sales of more than $9 billion and currently has more than 300 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
* excludes 3 flavors made with Fair Trade Certified Chocolate Chips, which are made in a facility that also produces dairy and soy chips.
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