For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Frances Larose / Liz Rosinski
650.548.6700 /flarose@prmagic.com

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Public Tasting Celebrates 15 Prestigious Years

The largest competition of American wines in the world opens its doors to the general public, offering a bevy of award winning wines

(San Francisco, December 9, 2014) — This Valentine’s Day, grab your sweetheart and head to Fort Mason to experience a day filled with laughter, romance, and some of the best wines from across the country.

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting will take place Saturday, February 14th from 1:30 – 5:00 p.m. at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. This anticipated event offers the public the first chance to taste hundreds of award winning wines from the largest competition of American wines in the world.

Currently in its 15 year, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is known as the ultimate barometer for how consumers select and measure wine. The Public Tasting allows people from all walks of life to come together and learn about many new wines, all while enjoying a day full of wine and food pairing experiences. Whole Foods will be on hand offering delectable food samples to taste, while Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts and Savor California will showcase additional gourmet treats.

The Public Tasting features appearances from notable wine industry names, including Jon Bonné, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Editor, Jessica Altieri, CEO of WineChannel TV, and Wilfred Wong, Chief Storyteller at Wine.com.

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC) kicks off with the judging, which happens the first week of January at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds. Over 60 elite wine judges from all areas of the wine industry, including media, trade, education, retail and restaurant/hospitality, gather together to participate in a blind judging. Wines are categorized by varietal and price range, evaluated, and then select winners are invited to participate in the Public Tasting event.

For the past ten consecutive years, the SFCWC has broken records with the number of wine entries submitted. Last year, over 5,800 wines were entered, illustrating the rapidly growing demand for a variety of options among wine consumers.

The SFCWC is an annual fundraiser that supports wine studies, enology, and viticulture programs for higher education institutions in California.  Leftover wines from the competition is donated annually to Santa Rosa Junior College, Fresno State University, Sonoma State University, and California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo.

Follow the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition on Twitter @SFCWineComp for info on the event and for special contests, including ticket giveaways, leading up to the Public Tasting.

WHAT:           San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting

WHEN:           Saturday, February 14, 2015

WHERE:         Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco

TIME:              1:30pm – 5pm

COST:              $50 Early Bird (only until Dec. 31, 2014), $65 Advance Purchase, $80 at the door (the tasting has sold out for the past five years; advance ticket purchase is recommended.)

INFO:              For tickets and additional information, visit www.winejudging.com

MEDIA:           Contact The Larose Group, 650-548-6700 or flarose@prmagic.com

About the SFCWC: Founded in 1983 as the modestly sized Cloverdale Citrus Fair Wine Competition, the current competition has evolved immensely over the years, expanding its eligibility to wineries throughout the United States. In 2000, the event gained sponsorship from the San Francisco Chronicle and appropriately assumed the title the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is pleased to help support the non-profit Cloverdale Citrus Fair, as well as wine and food education at educational institutions and non-profit organizations. Santa Rosa Junior College Wine Studies Program and Culinary Arts Program, Fresno State University Enology Program, California Polytechnic State University Enology Program at San Luis Obispo, and other non-profit organizations have received support from past competitions.