Commemorative Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Wine

In Short: In time for the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery releases its commemorative sparkling wine, Tribute.

More detail: Sumac Ridge Estate Winery has put itself on the map for being the premier producer of methode classique sparkling wines in British Columbia. It is therefore fitting that in conjunction with the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games that Sumac Ridge will release the commemorative sparkling wine Tribute(TM).

Sumac Ridge’s Tribute(TM) is hand crafted in the traditional “Methode Classique” by senior winemaker, Mark Wendenburg. Offering fresh citrus aromas with zesty apple flavours on the palate, the wine exhibits excellent Chardonnay varietal character while offering exceptional quality. Sumac Ridge’s Tribute Sparkling wine has wide distribution and will be found at provincial/private liquor stores across the country.

As of August 1, Tribute will be for sale at the winery, at British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) (CSPC No. 289215; $30.00 / 750ml) and restaurants. Look for Tribute(TM) at other points across the country this fall.

Every time you purchase Sumac Ridge’s Tribute(TM) sparkling wine, $1.25 of the proceeds per bottle will support the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and our Canadian Olympic Team, enabling Canadians to join Sumac Ridge in cultivating Canadian champions.

In BC, wine lovers will taste Tribute(TM) on September 20, 2009 from 2pm – 5pm at the BCLDB’s 39th and Cambie Signature BC Liquor store. The event will feature winemaker Mark Wendenburg, who can autograph the commemorative bottles, and Cellar Door Bistro chef Roger Planiden will offer bite-sized samples of his culinary creations.

Vincor Canada, parent company to Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, is an Official Supplier of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, This wine will celebrate the spirit of possibility created by the 2010 Winter Games while reflecting the pioneering spirit of the Canadian wine industry.

Founded in 1979 in Summerland by Harry McWatters, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery is the oldest operating estate winery in British Columbia. McWatters was instrumental in founding the region’s Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) program. Sumac Ridge produces premium red and white wines, Methode Classique sparkling wines, and Icewine. For more information, visit www.sumacridge.com.

About Vincor Canada Vincor Canada, a Constellation Company, has a history that dates back to 1874, and has grown to become Canada’s largest producer and marketer of wines.

Its founding vision has been to further the reputation and sales of Canadian wines in the premium, super-premium and ultra-premium categories, not simply at home, but as importantly, in the international marketplace.

With an emphasis on quality grapes, the company has worked consistently to develop vineyards with the most sophisticated viticultural technologies, not to mention research capabilities. Vincor Canada’s land holdings in Canada’s largest wine growing regions, the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, are dedicated almost exclusively to the production of European vitis vinifera. Vincor Canada also works with a large group of talented high quality grape growers and viticultural experts to draw the best from their vines.

Well known brands from the Vincor Canada portfolio include Inniskillin Wines, Jackson-Triggs Estate Wines, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, See Ya Later Ranch, Nk’Mip Cellars, Le Clos Jordanne, and Osoyoos Larose, the latter three of which are joint venture partnerships between Vincor Canada and the Osoyoos Indian Band in the Okanagan Valley, the Boisset family in Burgundy, France, and Groupe Taillan in Bordeaux, France, respectively.

-0- 07/30/2009 /For further information: Alison Scholefield, Coletta Consultants, (604) 904-9792, alison(at)ccltd.ca/ CO: Sumac Ridge ST: British Columbia IN: FOD SU: PDT -30- CNW 15:14e 30-JUL-09