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IN THE NEWS
W
ente Family Estates made
history in May, receiving
the first-ever Legendary Family of
Chardonnay Award by the Inter-
national Chardonnay Symposium.
The Symposium, a consortium
of the world's highest-regarded
Chardonnay producers, somme-
liers and industry leaders, gath-
ered May 12-14 in Pismo Beach to
bestow the honor. The weekend-
long event, sponsored by Tasting
Panel Magazine, celebrated the
No. 1 varietal in America – and
the family responsible for 80
percent of Chardonnay grapes
grown in California.
"The Wente family's contribu-
tions to the world of Chardonnay
are unmatched," said Symposium
Executive Director Linda Parker
Sanpei. "The fact that California
Chardonnay has long been a
favorite all over the world is, in
no small part, due to the ingenu-
ity and dedication of generations
of Wentes."
The award was especially
timely this year as it coincided
with the 80th anniversary of the
Wente family's bottling of the
nation's first varietally labeled
Chardonnay, a 1936 vintage.
What began in 1883 with the
planting of 47 acres of grapes in
the Livermore Valley has grown
into a worldwide brand recog-
nized for its innovative work with
Chardonnay clones.
"I know my great-grandfather
would be proud that we are con-
tinuing the same global vision of
wine quality and integrity that he
helped establish more than 133
years ago," said Chief Executive
Officer and Fourth Generation
Winemaker Carolyn Wente.
WENTE FAMILY ESTATES EARNS
LEGENDARY CHARDONNAY TITLE
TOASTING A SPECIAL
DAY IN GRAND STYLE
C
alifornia's First Family of Chardonnay cele-
brated National Chardonnay Day in style on
May 26 with a festive affair at Wente Vineyards.
In celebration of National Chardonnay Day,
Wente Vineyards welcomed guests to The Estate
Winery & Tasting Room "to enjoy live music and
light bites paired with our four Chardonnays and
Brut sparkling wine made from 100 percent
Chardonnay," said Assistant Brand Manager
Andrew Pimentel.
Wines by the glass and
bottle were available at
the event, and Fourth
Generation Winegrower
Carolyn Wente and her
son Bucky (pictured) led a
celebratory toast on the
estate lawn in honor of
America's No. 1 varietal.
But the celebration ex-
tended far beyond the gates at Wente Vineyards.
"Not only did we celebrate here with in-house
tastings, Chardonnay flights and Chardonnay Day
specials, we also marked the occasion with thou-
sands of friends and family around the world as the
event was streamed live via Periscope, and friends
across the globe were invited to host their own
Chardonnay Day party," Pimentel said.
NATIONAL CHARDONNAY DAY
WENTE FAMILY ESTATES GRAPEVINE
x
SUMMER 2016
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