Avenue Vine

Introducing SONOMA GRAPEMASTERS. A recent expansion has enabled Owl Ridge to offer the same level of professional services to a select number of non-commercial clients. Through SONOMA GRAPEMASTERS' vine-to-bottle program, clients choose their own grape variety and style of wine, then pair up with a consulting winemaker-a veteran with exceptional credentials and years of experience making super-premium wine- to produce a barrel (25 cases), or more, of their own fine wine. In this immersion experience, clients have the option of participating in the process at various stages, from sorting grapes at harvest crush, through bottling.

"It's one thing to be a tourist in the wine country during harvest, looking in from the outside," says SONOMA GRAPEMASTERS Program Director Stephen Yafa. "It's much more exciting to be a part of the action, to actually be producing your own high-end wine from exceptional vineyards, at a fraction of its retail cost."

"Some clients will choose to be active participants; others will take a less hands-on role," says Owl Ridge Wine Services creator John Tracy. "We're set up for both. All clients get regular updates on the progress of their wines in tank and barrel, and confer with their winemaker in all of the vital decisions."

Tracy, a former high-tech entrepreneur, moved to Sonoma County in 2000 to pursue his own dream to make wine. He purchased Owl Ridge Wine Services and quickly transformed it into a high-end facility for the area's top boutique winemakers. While the Russian River area's famous Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the two varietals most in demand, Owl Ridge's 34 boutique winery clients craft a wide range of wines. Tracy also produces wine for his two award-winning labels, Owl Ridge Wines and Willowbrook Cellars (specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, respectively).

But winemaking isn't all work and no play, even at a custom-crush winery like Owl Ridge where winemakers win high scores from the Wine Spectator and Robert Parker, Jr. With SONOMA GRAPEMASTERS, clients will have ample opportunity to socialize with other members, and to attend special tasting sessions and festive events throughout the year.

"For anyone who's ever seriously contemplated owning their own winery, there's another advantage to making wine with SONOMA GRAPEMASTERS," Tracy explains. "The experience is a terrific road-test. It's the real thing, start-to-finish, without the huge expense. I wish it had been available to me."

"For corporations," Yafa points out, "winemaking in a group at SONOMA GRAPEMASTERS is also a dynamic team building experience, as your time is spent forging vital bonds amid the excitement of harvest in Wine Country. And at the end of the experience, you will uncork your very own wine, with your team name on the label, as your well-deserved reward."

SONOMA GRAPEMASTERS and Owl Ridge Wine Services are located at the southern end of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County.

To learn more, call the Program Director at 415-389-1183, visit our website, www.sonomagrapemasters.com, or email us at syafa@sonomagrapemasters.com.

SEBASTOPOL, CA, May 9,2007