5/19/2010 - St Helena, CA--The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) is excited to announce the winners of its third annual hometown Battle of the Palates, an educational program for Napa Valley-based front-line restaurant servers and wine retailers that was designed and implemented as part of the trade association's ongoing appellation education initiatives.
Jordan Gianelli of Napa's Bounty Hunter Rare Wine & Provisions won the first prize at this year's event held Monday, May 17 at V Marketplace in Yountville. Patsy McGaughy, NVV's marketing director said, "This has been an awesome week for the Bounty Hunter and we congratulate them on two other noteworthy wine achievements as well; wine bar manager, Adam Kerr, received his second level Sommelier Certification, and the Bounty Hunter team took home the Gold at Napa Valley's annual Cabernet Cook-off this past Sunday--congrats to all."
Taking second place in the Battle of the Palates was Roland Micu of La Toque and a tie for third place went to Jennifer Hunt of Martini House and David Meagher of Wine Tasting Network. Hosted by the NVV and led by vintners Barry Wiss, CWE of Trinchero Napa Valley and Mark de Vere, MW of Robert Mondavi Winery, the educational program takes these key restaurant and wine retail staff through the "Napa Valley Rocks" training. The program helps them speak more confidently about Napa Valley wines, learn more about the Napa Valley appellation and our community, hone tasting skills, and take the blind tasting challenge for not only the experience, but also for the chance to win prizes.
Grand Prizes Awarded:
First place: A scholarship for the Certified Specialist of Wine and Certified Wine Educator programs, donated by Trinchero Napa Valley ($1,200 value) awarded to Jordan Gianelli of Bounty Hunter Rare Wine & Provisions
Second place: A scholarship for The CIA's Professional Wine Studies "Napa Valley Intensive" two-day class donated by The Culinary Institute of America ($750 value) awarded to Roland Micu of La Toque
A tie for third place: each receiving two passes to the Friday, June 4 Taste Napa Valley event at Auction Napa Valley donated by the NVV ($500 value) awarded to Jennifer Hunt of Martini House and David Meagher of Wine Tasting Network
Additionally a drawing was held for the prize of "An Educational Day in Napa Valley" for up to 20 staff members, donated by the NVV, was awarded to Siena Restaurant at The Meritage Resort
The Napa Valley Vintners is the non-profit trade association responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley appellation as the premier winegrowing region. From seven founding members in 1944, today the association represents nearly 400 Napa Valley wineries and collectively is a leader in the world-wide wine industry. To learn more about our region and its legendary American wines, visit www.napavintners.com.
Contact: Terry Hall, Communications Director 707-968-4217 thall@napavintners.com
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