The Willamette Valley Returns To The Big Apple In 2012 Oregon Wineries Revisit Manhattan After Making A Big Splash In 2011

Thanks to a highly successful first run last February, the Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA) is again taking its celebrated Pinot Noir to New York City for the Oregon Wine Flight to NYC event. Fifty Oregon wineries will converge on Manhattan's vibrant City Winery in Soho April 16th, 2012 pouring Pinot Noir and other Willamette Valley varietals.

"We are very excited to be headed back to New York," said Sue Horstmann, Executive Director of the WVWA. "We have some new faces and a new vintage to share with a city that clearly appreciates and is highly enthusiastic for Oregon Pinot Noir."

Last year, the sold-out event attracted 350 wine enthusiasts. This year, the focus will be on the 2009 vintage, acclaimed for its intriguing and lush elegance. Winemakers and principals will attend the event to articulate the intricacies of the wine and the vintage offering tasters the chance to get to know the people behind the world-class wines.

The Oregon wine industry continues to flourish, reaching nearly three billion dollars in 2010. The Willamette Valley is home to over 200 wineries with some of the state's oldest and most lauded wineries. Along with the region's esteemed Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley wineries produce many other varietals that thrive in Oregon's cool climate. Many of these wines are handcrafted in small batches, and the Oregon Wine Flight To NYC event offers a rare opportunity for New Yorkers to sample such wines and meet the personalities who produce them.

"It will be especially enjoyable to showcase new wines," continued Horstmann. "While the flavors change every vintage, the quality does not. These producers have set a standard that wine enthusiasts coast-to-coast have grown to expect."

Tickets go on sale January 26, 2012 on City Winery's website:
http://citywinery.com/events/248617


Event Name: Oregon Wine Flight To New York City
Event Date: Monday, April 16, 2012
Event Time: Consumer event: 6:30-9:30pm

Event cost: Consumer Grand Tasting: $75
Visit www.willamettewines.com for more information regarding event and ticket sales.
Where: City Winery, 155 Varick Street & Vandam in Soho
http://www.citywinery.com/

Trade Tasting: 12-4pm, April 16, 2012 visit http://willamettewines.com for reservations (advanced reservations required).
Media: If you are interested in attending the trade tasting, please contact Emily Petterson at emily@ekpmedia.com. Space is limited.

About Willamette Valley Wineries Association
The WVWA is a non-profit industry association dedicated to achieving recognition for Oregon's acclaimed Willamette Valley as a premier Pinot Noir producing region. Currently, the WVWA has 194 members representing wineries and tasting rooms throughout the Willamette Valley region - from Portland to Eugene. Memorial Weekend in Wine Country and Wine Country Thanksgiving are the two oldest WVWA sponsored touring events in Oregon. The WVWA also publishes an annual guide to wineries with a touring map. For more information or to request a wine touring map, please visit www.willamettewines.com, call 503-646-2985, or follow on Twitter: @wvwines and on Facebook.

About City Winery:
City Winery, located in New York City's Hudson Square, is Manhattan's first winery in 40 years. Offering individuals the chance to make their own private-label wine, City Winery is also a world-class wine bar, live music venue and private event space. This state-of-the-art, interactive, educational and social space is the place where wine enthusiasts of all stripes gather to taste, network and enjoy the exclusive benefits of being part of Manhattan's dynamic new wine community.
City Winery's wines are made from top quality grapes sour