Media Contacts:
Marilyn Miller or
CJ Davies
Tel. 303 664-5700
Email: info@denverwinefest.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SAVE THE DATE!

The 4th Annual Denver International Wine Festival will be held October 29 to November 1, 2008

Denver's Premier International Wine Festival will increase its focus on premium wine, cuisine, travel and education!

January 7, 2008, Denver, CO, Wine Country Network, Inc, is pleased to announce the dates for the 4th annual Denver International Wine Festival (DIWF):

October 29 to November 1, 2008.

Location:
School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management (HRTM)
Daniels College of Business
University of Denver
2044 East Evans Ave
Denver, CO 80208

What's New?
This year, we will have approximately 30 "Apprentices", HRTM students working with us to produce the DIWF. They will be earning grades for a special DIWF event planning class.

The DIWF will continue in its second year as a "green" wine festival. All empty bottles will be diverted from a landfill and transformed into beautiful glassware by The Green Glass Company of Wisconsin.


Main Festival Activities:

Wednesday October 29: John S Davies Scholarship Fundraiser Dinner Thursday October 30: "Taste of Elegance" Chefs Food & Wine Competition Saturday November 1: Grand Tasting of International Wines plus Seminars

For details and updates visit: www.denverwinefest.com

For exhibit and sponsorship opportunities contact Wine Country Network, Inc
at Tel. 303 664-5700 or emai:l info@denverwinefest.com


 

Media contact:
Marilyn M. Miller
Tel. 303 664-5700

Email: info@denverwinefest.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BANFI VINTNERS GRAND DINNER AND
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER

To be Hosted by Cristina N. Mariani-May, family proprietor of Banfi Vintners
Friday November 2, 2007, 6 to 9 PM University of Denver, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management(HRTM)

The Denver International Wine Festival has announced the addition of a spectacular multi-course Vintner’s Dinner created by the HRTM School's Executive Chef to showcase wines from Castello Banfi.

The dinner will be hosted by Cristina N. Mariani-May, family proprietor of Banfi Vintners, America’s leading wine importer, and the award winning Castello Banfi Vineyard Estate in Montalcino, Tuscany.100% of the net proceeds will benefit a new scholarship fund designated for students of The University of Denver School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism
Management (HRTM), Daniels College of Business. This inaugural fundraiser marks the launch of the John S. Davies Endowment Fund, a fund that has been created to form a perpetual annual scholarship benefiting students of the HRTM school.

TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2007!
Tickets: $150 (limited to only 150 guests)
For details visit www.denverwinefest.com or call 303 664-5700.

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CRISTINA N. MARIANI-MAY
Cristina N. Mariani-May is family proprietor of Banfi Vintners, America’s
leading wine importer, and the award winning Castello Banfi Vineyard Estate
in Montalcino, Tuscany.

The youngest daughter of Banfi Chairman John F. Mariani, Cristina
and her cousin James W. Mariani represent the third generation of family
leadership in the company founded by their grandfather, John F. Mariani, Sr.
in 1919. The 1978 founding and subsequent development of Castello Banfi is
perhaps the family’s most ambitious endeavor.

Ms. Mariani-May is a graduate of Georgetown University and Columbia
University’s Graduate School of Business, where she served as president of
the student wine society. As an undergraduate, she studied at Georgetown’s
campus in Florence, Italy and traveled with her father to meet the company’s
foreign suppliers. She formally joined Banfi in 1993, assisting in the
firm’s sales, marketing and public relations in order to gain an overview
with which to develop long-term strategy.

Today, she makes frequent visits to Castello Banfi to review winemaking,
marketing and sales to over 50 countries around the world, including the
newest markets in Russia, Poland, India and Cambodia. She oversees ongoing
clonal research on Montalcino’s native Sangiovese grape for the production
of Brunello di Montalcino, conducted by Castello Banfi in conjunction with
the University of Milan. Over 160 “presumed clones” were studied through
experimental vineyards and microvinification over the course of 20 years,
with the field eventually narrowed to an optimal 15. Sharing the results
with neighboring producers, Banfi registered those clones with the European
Community, the first producer, as opposed to nursery or university, to do
so. These clones as well as other varieties are planted on the estate in a
constellation of single vineyards that were chosen after extensive study to
match each grape type with its ideal soil and microclimate.

Ms. Mariani-May has taken great pride in the results, which include Italy’s
highest wine honor, VinItaly’s Grand Premio Cup, recognizing Castello Banfi
as the “International Winery of the Year” for an unprecedented fourth time
and Italy’s top winery for 11 consecutive years. Castello Banfi has been
named a “Winery of the Year” by both Wine Enthusiast and Wine & Spirits
magazines, its wines frequently included in the annual “Top 100” selection
of Wine Spectator and given top honors by Italy’s Gambero Rosso Guide to the
Wines of Italy and the Association of Italian Sommeliers.

Ms. Mariani-May has championed projects that reinforce Castello Banfi’s
role in the wine world and its importance to the hospitality field.
Recently, she narrated an educational film titled “The Etruscan Legacy,”
which Banfi produced in conjunction with Cornell University’s School of
Hotel Administration and National Geographic Magazine. The 8-minute film
explains how this civilization pioneered winemaking in ancient times and
compares their efforts with today’s modern techniques.

Each year, Ms. Mariani-May hosts a group of students at Castello Banfi for a
series of seminars on the art of Italy’s food and wine. The curriculum
includes informal dinner discussions with world-renowned restaurateurs,
hoteliers and wine critics. The estate also sponsors “Jazz Wine,” a summer
concert series held both in Rome and in Montalcino, which pairs Castello
Banfi wines with the performances of top musicians.


 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact
Marilyn Miller
Tel. 303 664-5700
Email: info@denverwinefest.com


DENVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL TO EXPAND EDUCATION WITH SEMINARS AT NEW UNIVERSITY OF DENVER VENUE!

June 8, 2007, Denver, Colorado, Wine Country Network, producers of the Denver International Wine Festival announced plans to offer an expanded selection of wine. spirit & food seminars at the Third Annual Denver International Wine Festival.

"Our company motto is Your Attitude-Free Passport to Great Wine and Delicious Food. The University of Denver offers a fantastic platform for elevating our festival attendees knowledge of wine, spirits & food".

Commented Wine Country Network,CEO, Christopher Davies.The 2007 Denver International will be held at the the University of Denver’s, newly constructed, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM) and The Driscoll Center. They have two ultra-modern
seminar rooms with a maximum capacity of 100 persons per room. The school's cooking demonstration theater is outfitted with modern plug n'play appliances and rivals Food Network's chef demonstration studios. All seminar rooms have built-in video cameras, monitors and sound systems. Wine Country Network is currently negotiating with high profile/ celebrity level experts to conduct educational seminars at this year's DIWF.

The company is planning to offer diversified selection of educational seminars, guided tastings of rare and coveted premium wines and cooking demonstrations.

Partial Seminar line-up:

  • Small Batch Bourbon's by Frederick Booker Noe III Great-Grandson of Jim Beam
  • Artisanal Cheese & Wine Tasting Adventure with Barrie Lynn – The Cheese Impresario
  • Traditional Baja Mexico Cuisine by Chef Antonio de Livier of Pueblo Bonito Ocean Front Resorts, Cabo San Lucas

Wine Country Network plans to offer at least 12 different seminars at the DIWF on Saturday November 3, 2007. The full seminar schedule will be posted on the DIWF website by July 15, 2007. Seminars are optional(not included in price of festival) and will cost $10 to $50 per person.

For information visit www.denverwinefest.comwww.denverwinefest.com or call 303 664-5700.

///
ATTN: EDITORS
High resolution, professional quality photographs of last year's DIWF are
available for publication use.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
C J Davies
Wine Country Network, Inc
Tel. 303 664-5700
Mobile 631-484-6216

cdavies@winecountrynetwork.com

THIRD ANNUAL DENVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL MOVES TO UNIVERSITY OF DENVER, NOVEMBER 1 - 4, 2007

Denver, Colorado, Wine Country Network, the publishers of Wine Country International magazine, have announced that they will hold the 3rd Annual Denver International Wine Festival at The University of Denver School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM), part of the Daniels College of Business.

“The University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business is one of the highest- ranking business schools in America. Their new state-of-the art HRTM building and the adjoining Driscoll Center offer a fantastic venue for holding the events of The Denver International Wine Festival.” according to Christopher J. Davies, CEO of Wine Country Network, Inc.

The Denver International Wine Festival (DIWF) has received industry and media acclaim for being Denver's first-ever international wine festival. In 2006, the DIWF Grand Tasting of International Wines showcased more than 400 wines from 18 countries, and conducted sold-out educational seminars produced by wine and food industry experts. Gilda’s Club of Denver was the main beneficiary, receiving 100% of the proceeds from the DIWF live and silent auctions.Wine Country Network will expand the 2007 festival to a four-day international celebration of wine and cuisine. The festival will take place during the first week of November, which coincides with Denver Wine Week, as proclaimed by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

2007 Denver International Wine Festival Main Events:

TASTE OF ELEGANCE CHEF’S WINE AND FOOD COMPETITION/AUCTION

Thursday November 1, 2007, 6 to 9 PM, Tickets: $85
(limited to 400)

A fabulous wine and food pairing competition, featuring samplings of expertly created cuisine paired with medal-winning wines from the upcoming 2007 Denver International Wine Competition www.denverwinecomp.com

Attendees will taste Gold Medal winning wines. Competing chefs will create “Iron Chef” style dishes to pair with the wines. A live auction will take place prior the award ceremony,

In 2006, fourteen of Colorado's most celebrated chefs competed at the Taste of Elegance. A panel of industry experts judged the competition, plus all attendees cast their vote for the People’s Choice Chef.

These are the 2006 winners:
Best Chef of 2006 Denver International Wine Festival:

Hosea Rosenberg, Jax Fish House-Boulder

Most Creative Chef:
BJ Wojtowicz, Restaurant Kevin Taylor,

Denver People’s Choice Chef:
Duy Pham, Kyoto Asian Fusion, Littleton

NEW! VINTNERS GRAND DINNER AND SCHOLOARSHIP FUNDRAISER
Friday November 2, 2007, 6 to 9 PM, Tickets: $150
(limited to 150)
A spectacular Vintner’s Dinner created by students will showcase wines from Colorado. A portion of the proceeds will benefit a new scholarship fund designated for students of The University of Denver School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM), Daniels College of Business.

------------------------------
GRAND TASTING OF INTERNATIONAL WINES AND FOOD
Saturday November 3, 2007, 11AM to 6PM
(time varies by ticket type)

Over 400 imported and domestic wines will be showcased by more than 100 wineries. Wine Country International magazine’s editors have personally selected premium wines based on quality, region and varietal. The “Grand Tasting” will include foods created by gourmet producers and Colorado restaurants. The festival will also include exhibits by luxury travel destinations and fine art. This one-day event will also feature the award-winning wines from the Denver International Wine Competition and a silent auction. Optional Educational Seminars will also be offered.TICKET HOLDER BONUS: All ticket purchases include a one-year subscription to Wine Country International magazine (value $24), a souvenir logo glass and collectible food sampler plate.

  • VIP Ticket (11am to 6pm) Cost: $120
    Includes early access to the exclusive VIP Lounge, access to one educational seminar and a value-packed VIP gift bag
    (Limited availability to only 200 guests)
  • General Admission Ticket (2 to 6 pm) Cost: $75
    Includes access to all wine and food tastings and exhibits.

For updates, information and to purchase tickets visit the official Denver International Wine Festival Website: www.denverwinefest.com


 

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