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Monterey Symphony’s six-concert season opens in October, celebrates Shakespeare, Big Sur

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The magic of one of the world’s most-celebrated coastlines was the inspiration for Big Sur: The Night Sun, an original piece by Emmy Award-winning composer John Wineglass that will highlight the first of six concerts comprising the 71st season of the Monterey Symphony.

Monterey, CA, August 17, 2016 – The magic of one of the world’s most-celebrated coastlines was the inspiration for Big Sur: The Night Sun, an original piece by Emmy Award-winning composer John Wineglass that will highlight the first of six concerts comprising the 71st season of the Monterey Symphony. The three-time Daytime Emmy winner composed the music in honor of the Carmel Centennial Celebration, with the support of the Big Sur Land Trust, to premier at the Symphony’s season-opening program, scheduled Oct. 21-23.

The season, entitled “Shakespeare in Music,” will run through May under the direction of Monterey Symphony Music Director and Conductor Max Bragado-Darman. Each concert will feature at least one work influenced by Shakespeare.

MAIN CONCERTS:
Concert times
The six concert programs, which run October 2016 through May 2017, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. at Sherwood Hall in Salinas on Fridays, and at Carmel’s Sunset Center on Saturdays (8 p.m.) and Sundays (3 p.m.). A pre-concert lecture will be offered an hour before each event.

Youth Concerts
The Symphony’s long tradition of youth outreach and education continues this season with eight free Monday Youth Concerts on October 24, November 21, and April 24 at Sunset Center and March 20 at Sherwood Hall. Youth Concerts are held on Mondays at both 9:30 and 11:00 a.m., allowing thousands of students from Monterey, San Benito and south Santa Cruz Counties to experience the magic of Great Music Live. Contact dross@montereysymphony.org to reserve space for your school group.

Tickets
All Subscription packages (6 concerts/4 concerts/3 concerts) are available now by phone or online. The 4 concert mini-series option requires selection of the concerts when purchased and the same seats are guaranteed for each concert; whereas the 3 concert flexpass option allows concert selection at any time with the same seats attempted, but not guaranteed.

Single Tickets may be purchased beginning September 1 by phone at 831-646-8511 or online at www.montereysymphony.org. Tickets will also be sold 90 minutes before show time at the box office at Sherwood Hall or Sunset Center.

General admission tickets for Friday concerts at Sherwood Hall (940 N. Main Street, next to the Salinas Sports Complex) are priced at $25.

Tickets for 8pm Saturday and 3pm Sunday concerts at the Sunset Center (San Carlos at Ninth Avenue, Carmel) are priced at $80, $60, $40 and $30.

SUNSET CENTER

Saturdays at 8:00 PM 6 CONCERTS 4 CONCERTS 3 CONCERTS SINGLE TICKETS
Sundays at 3:00 PM Full Series Mini Series Flexpass

TIER 1 $474 $316 $237 $80
TIER 2 $354 $236 $177 $60
TIER 3 $234 $156 $117 $40
TIER 4 N/A N/A N/A $30

SHERWOOD HALL 6 CONCERTS 4 CONCERTS 3 CONCERTS SINGLE TICKETS
Fridays at 7:30 PM Full Series Mini Series Flexpass
GENERAL ADMISSION $120 $80 $60 $25

Concert I: Oct. 21-23
The Monterey Symphony gloriously opens its 71st season with Big Sur: The Night Sun, a commissioned orchestral work from local Emmy-winning composer John Wineglass, written for the Carmel Centennial Celebration in conjunction with the Big Sur Land Trust. Wineglass, a Washington D.C. native, lives today on California’s spectacular Central Coast, 20 minutes from Point Lobos, one of the breathtaking locations he says inspired Big Sur: The Night Sun, which he characterizes as a “symphonic tone poem.”

Ludwig van Beethoven’s magnificent concerto for Piano, Violin and Cello in C Major, Op. 56, the “Triple Concerto”, will showcase the talents of three rising stars: Anna Petrova, piano; Rebecca Anderson, violin; and JeongHyoun Christine Lee, cello, in an exciting performance of the only concerto that Beethoven composed for more than one instrument.

In a season that honors Shakespeare in Music, exactly 400 years after the great artist’s death, the second suite from Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet adds a moving and profound tone. This work utilizes some rarely used instruments in the orchestra, such as tenor saxophone and cornet, and concludes a colorful and riveting season opener!

Pianist Anna Petrova, a native of Bulgaria, has been honored at numerous international competitions, including the José Roca (Valencia), Val Tidone (Italy) and Maria Yudina (St. Petersburg) Competitions, and was a semifinalist at the prestigious Queen Elizabeth International Piano Competition in Belgium in 2010, where she performed as soloist with the Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia under Paul Goodwin.

Violinist Rebecca Anderson is a versatile soloist and chamber musician whose recent performances range from solo appearances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, contemporary music premieres with A Far Cry and eighth blackbird, and collaborative projects with Questlove and Ben Folds. She has appeared as a soloist with the Oregon Symphony, Olympia Symphony, and Columbia Symphony orchestras, and in Europe with a recital concert at the Conservatorio de Bologna in Italy. Most recently, she was a first-prize winner at the 2013 American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition for senior division violin.

Cellist JeongHyoun Christine Lee, a native of Seoul, Korea, has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, Korean Broadcast Symphony Orchestra, and Calgary Symphony Orchestra, among others, and has served as the Co-Principal of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra. Lee has performed in Europe and Asia with Curtis on Tour and was recently featured as a Young Artist at Music from Angel Fire and a Caramoor Rising Star at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts. She recently performed with Juilliard’s contemporary ensemble, AXIOM, and has attended summer festivals such as the Taos School of Music, Encore, the Great Mountains Music Festival, Orford, and Hotchkiss Summer Portals. She has participated in Prussia Cove Master Classes with Ralph Kirshbaum and the Académie Musicale de Villecroze with Miklós Perényi.

Preview Luncheon with Guest Artists
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.
Glen Deven Ranch, Big Sur, CA
$50/person
Register at 831-646-8511 or www.montereysymphony.org/special-events

Symphony of Flavors
Pre-show soiree pairing local musicians with featured local wine, beer, and tasty bites included with concert ticket
Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

Sunset Center Terrace
Concert II: Nov. 18-20
The Romantic music of Johannes Brahms and Felix Mendelssohn distinguish the Monterey Symphony’s second concert of the season, opening with Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56 by Brahms, an elegant and well-orchestrated theme and variations on the popular “St. Anthony Chorale” featuring the Honors Orchestra of Youth Music Monterey County in their annual Side-by-Side Program appearance, playing onstage with Monterey Symphony mentors.

This concert will also feature the Overture, Op. 21 and Incidental Music, Op. 61 from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with a burgeoning stage that highlights the local talents of singers Mary Young Bragado and Angelique Zuluaga, actors Michael Jacobs and Doug Toby, and community chorus I Cantori di Carmel, directed by Dr. Sal Ferrantelli. You will not want to miss this exciting and entertaining collaboration celebrating Shakespeare in Music!

Mezzo-Soprano Mary Young Bragado, wife of the Monterey Symphony’s Music Director Max Bragado-Darman grew up in Princeton New Jersey and graduated as a singer/choral conductor from the University of Michigan. She has directed numerous works throughout the U.S. and in Spain. She has sung in recital and with many choral groups in the U.S. and Europe. Including the prestigious University of Michigan Chamber Choir, the Kenneth Jewell Chorale in Detroit, and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus.

Soprano Angelique Zuluaga has performed opera, oratorio, and chamber music throughout the U.S. and South America and can be found frequently collaborating with composers in new works. Performance highlights include: soloist in Brahms’ Requiem with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir; Handel’s Ode to St. Cecilia with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Zankel Hall under the direction of Ton Koopman; and soprano soloist with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas’ St. Matthew Passion Brazilian tour under the direction of Kent Nagano.
Actor Michael Jacobs received his B.A. from Whitman College, then went on to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts/West and became a member of the first graduating class in 1976. In New York, he studied at the Herbert Berghof Studios with Uta Hagen and Michael Beckett and in California he became a member of the Shakespeare Santa Cruz Company for 3 years, working and studying with members of the Royal Shakespeare Company from England. In 1987, he was cast in The Normal Heart at the GroveMont Theatre, which began a 27-year stint as actor-in-residence for what is now the Pacific Repertory Theatre.

Doug Toby worked as an actor in the film industry for several years and appeared in a number of films and television shows such as Hill Street Blues, The Rockford Files, and the 1984 film Red Dawn. Doug has been involved with many amateur productions since relocating to Monterey County including the Renaissance Festival and the annual Mystery plays of the Friends of the Monterey Symphony.
I Cantori di Carmel (Italian for The Singers of Carmel) conducted by Dr. Sal Ferrantelli, has been bringing choral classics to the Monterey Peninsula since 1981, performing concerts twice annually, in the spring and fall, at the Carmel Mission Basilica and at other venues throughout the year.

Preview Luncheon with Guest Artists
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.
Sardine Factory, Cannery Row in Monterey, CA
$50/person
Register at 831-646-8511 or www.montereysymphony.org/special-events

Symphony of Flavors
Pre-show soiree pairing local musicians with featured local wine, beer, and tasty bites included with concert ticket
Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
Sunset Center Terrace
Post-concert Supper Club with Guest Artists
Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.
Il Fornaio, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
$70/person
Register at 831-646-8511 or www.montereysymphony.org/special-events

Concert III: Feb. 17-19
The Monterey Symphony opens its third program of the season with one of Arturo Toscanini’s favorite works: the Coriolan Overture, Op. 62 by Ludwig van Beethoven. The tragic story of Gaius Marcius Coriolanus – who unsuccessfully invaded Rome – was dramatized by both William Shakespeare and Viennese poet and author Heinrich Joseph von Collin.

Acclaimed violinist Sergej Krylov will dazzle audiences with his exhilarating performance of the Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op.47 by Jean Sibelius, the only concerto composed by the brilliant Finnish composer. Rounding out this program will be the legendary Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90 by Johannes Brahms, an audience favorite that has thrilled listeners since it premiered in 1883. Do not miss this opportunity to hear three monuments of musical perfection!

Sergej Krylov, born in Moscow, began playing violin at age 5 as the son of an outstanding violin maker, Alexander Krylov, and a famous Russian pianist and teacher, Liudmila Krylova. He performs with world-famous orchestras such as the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of Saint Petersburg Philharmonic, the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra, Camerata Salzburg, and the Chamber Orchestra “Moscow Soloists,” among others. He was lauded by late conductor Mstislav Rostropovich as “one of the top five contemporary violinists”.

Concert IV: March 17-19
Bruno Aprea will guest conduct the Monterey Symphony for the fourth program of the season, featuring works by Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Berlioz, and Bernstein. The fiery overture from Giuseppe Verdi’s La Forza del Destino – or ‘the force of destiny’ – sets the tone for this musically broad and brilliant concert.

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s fantasy overture Romeo and Juliet and two movements from the dramatic symphony Romeo and Juliet (“Love Scene” and “Romeo Alone”) by French composer Hector Berlioz, one of the greatest orchestrators of all time, amplify this performance of powerful and passionate themes. The Symphonic Dances from the ever-popular West Side Story by American composer Leonard Bernstein will conclude this rich and rousing concert.

Bruno Aprea, former Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Palm Beach Opera, began his musical career as a pianist studying under his father, Tito Aprea, at the Conservatoire of S.Cecilia in Rome. He met with considerable success at a very young age, paving the way to a career on the international concert circuit and playing on numerous occasions with the Accademia di S.Cecilia Orchestra.
He conducted at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, in a Gala evening with Mirella Freni and in a number of concerts at the Opera of Monte Carlo, including one in aid of Unesco, broadcast in Eurovision in 1979. In Italy he conducted all the main symphonic orchestras and toured in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Romania. In Israel, invited by Shlomo Mintz, he conducted the Israel Chamber Orchestra of Tel Aviv, in South Africa the SABC of Johannesburg, and in Brazil, invited by Eleazar de Carvalho, the Orquestra Sinfonica of Sao Paolo. He has also conducted the Philarmonia Hungarica, the Presidential Symphonic Orchestra of Ankara and the Bilbao Symphonic Orchestra.

Concert V: April 21-23
The fifth concert program in the Monterey Symphony’s Season of Shakespeare opens with the demanding arias of Desdemona from Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Otello, with guest coloratura soprano Cyndia Sieden. Included are the famous “Willow Song” and the “Ave Maria” from Act IV.
Cyndia Sieden also appears in the monumental Symphony No. 4 in G Major by Gustav Mahler, one of his shorter symphonic works. Although the soprano is featured in the fourth and final movement only, this entire symphony was based on the song “The Heavenly Life,” which he composed for an earlier song cycle titled Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Don’t miss this chance to hear Mahler’s magical symphony and highlights from one of Verdi’s most mature roles in a spectacular Spring concert!

Soprano Cyndia Sieden studied with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in master classes in Carmel Valley, CA in the early 1980s and has moved among the Baroque, classical, romantic and modern/contemporary repertoire at most of the world’s great opera houses, including Munich’s Bavarian State Opera, Paris’ Opéra Bastille, Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu, Brussels’s La Monnaie, and London’s Royal Opera House and English National Opera, as well as in Beijing and Australia. Her Metropolitan Opera debut was in the title role of Alban Berg’s Lulu, and she returned there in 2008 for the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte. With a great sympathy for the works of Richard Strauss, she often performs Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos (Munich, Japan, Vienna), Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier (Paris Châtelet) and Aminta in Die schweigsame Frau (Palermo).

Concert VI: May 19-21
Come hear Michael Noble – winner of the prestigious Carmel Music Society Piano Competition in 2013 – perform Antonin Dvorák’s Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 33 with the Monterey Symphony! Dvorák’s violin and cello concertos receive ample stage presence, but the concerto for the piano is the most balanced of the three and a favorite of audiences and musicians alike.

The season of Shakespeare in Music concludes with the overture from Otto Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, a German Singspiel based on the infamous Shakespeare comedy, and Belgian composer César Franck’s Symphony in D Minor, his most famous orchestral work. Make sure you do not miss this opportunity to hear an evening of beautiful, lively, and splendidly crafted music. Come close the 71st season of the Monterey Symphony in this concert programmed to delight fans of great classical music, live!

Pianist Michael Noble gave his first recital when he was six and has gone on to perform concerts across Europe, Asia, and North America. In addition to winning the Carmel Music Society competition in 2013, he was also the first-prize winner in the Crescendo Music Awards (Tulsa, OK) in 2009, and is a two-time laureate of the Chopin International Competition of the 1,000 Islands. He is a graduate of Idyllwild (Calif.) Arts Academy where he was awarded the Outstanding Musician Award of 2005-2006. In 2008, he attended the Paris Conservatoire to work with Nicholas Angelich, and made his debut with the Tulsa Symphony in 2011.

CHAMBER CONCERT SERIES:

Tickets
Single Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by phone at 831-646-8511 or online at www.montereysymphony.org. Tickets will also be sold 90 minutes before show time at the venue.

General admission tickets for concerts at All Saints’ Episcopal Church (Dolores & Ninth Ave, Carmel) are priced at $25 for general admission and $10 for students and active military.

General admission tickets for concerts at the Sunset Center (San Carlos at Ninth Avenue, Carmel) are priced at $50 for Premium Seating and $25 for general admission.

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 1 – CHAMBER MUSIC WITH CLARINET
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
October 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

The first program in the Monterey Symphony’s 2016/17 Chamber Series will feature the clarinet, including works by Kokai, Debussy, and Brahms. The music on this program may not often be heard, but it will be masterfully presented by musicians from the orchestra, including Concertmaster Christina Mok, violin; Steve Sanchez, clarinet; Tina Minn, violin; Chad Kaltinger, viola; and Drew Ford, cello.

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 2 – MYRIAD FACES OF RUSSIA
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
October 18, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Presented as a part of the ICONS in Transformation International Contemporary Art Exhibit at All Saint’s Episcopal Church that runs from September 25 – November 20, 2016. An exhibition of contemporary art and traditional icons with 130 selects pieces by Russian-born artist, Ludmila Pawlowska.

This all-Russian program presented by our October concert Guest Artists: Anna Petrova, piano; Rebecca Anderson, violin; and JeongHyoun Christine Lee, cello; will feature composers from around the turn of the twentieth century – Arensky, Stravinsky, and Prokofiev. Stravinksy’s Suite Italienne is an arrangement of music from his ballet Pulcinella for cello and piano, and the deep and dark Prokofiev Sonata No. 1 for violin and piano was composed for friends lost during the Stalin regime. The Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor by Arensky may not be well-known, but it is a highlight of the program!

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 3 – CHRISTMAS POTPOURRI
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
December 8, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
This delightful program features concertos, sonatas, interludes and tangos! Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” and Bach’s Brandenburg No. 5 highlight this concert program that parries itself with the Hampton String Quartet’s Mozartian rendition of holiday favorites. Do not miss this performance of passionate players including guest artist Michael Peterson, harpsichord, and Monterey Symphony musicians including Dawn Walker, flute; Concertmaster Christina Mok, violin; Jessica Poll, violin; Chad Kaltinger, viola; Isaac Pastor-Chermak, cello; and Bruce Moyer, bass, in a concert that will also include works by Ibert, Leclaire, and Piazzolla.

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 4 –
CURTIS ON TOUR: CURTIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Sunset Center, Carmel
January 13, 2017 at 8:00 p.m & January 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

Presented in cooperation with the Sunset Center.

CURTIS ON TOUR: CURTIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – the Nina von Maltzahn Global Touring Initiative of the Curtis Institute of Music
Do not miss this special treat to hear some of America’s greatest young musicians from the renowned Curtis Institute of Music! Featured will be legendary violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi and violist and Curtis president Roberto Diaz, along with five outstanding violin students performing Mozart’s five violin concertos – a truly unique and profoundly musical event!

Max Bradago-Darman, Music Director and Conductor of Monterey Symphony
Max Bragado-Darman has served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Monterey Symphony since July 2004. Mr. Bragado-Darman was Music Director and Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Castile and León in Valladolid, Spain, for nine years. From its formation in 1991, he built it into one of the most prestigious orchestras in Spain. Under his direction, the orchestra performed for enthusiastic audiences in all the major cities of Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Germany. He recorded with this ensemble many unknown works of the Spanish repertoire as well as most of the orchestral works of Turina and Rodrigo on the Naxos label.

In May 1995, Max Bragado-Darman was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. Under his direction, the orchestra grew in popularity due to his rapport with audiences, the community in general, and his innovative programming. He has worked with distinguished artists such as Alicia de Larrocha, Teresa Berganza, Horacio Gutièrrez, Elmar Oliveira, Dubravka Tomsic, Andre Watts, Angel Romero, Gary Graffman, and Aaron Rosand among many others.

As a guest conductor, Max Bragado-Darman has performed in the United States with the symphony orchestras of Honolulu, San Diego, Nashville, Delaware, West Virginia, Cedar Rapids, Savannah, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth, Austin, Fresno, and Boulder. He has led the National Orchestra, the Radio Television Orchestra and most other orchestras of Spain, as well as orchestras in Portugal, England, Argentina, Germany, and Mexico. In the fall of 2003, he made his debut at the distinguished Wexford Opera Festival with the Granados opera “Maria del Carmen,” in a version he researched and edited himself.

His conducting career has been guided by the knowledge he received from teachers and musicians such as Robert Fountain, Robert Baustian, George Szell, Igor Markevich and Franco Ferrara. Most recently, Max Bragado-Darman has appeared on the podiums of orchestras in Monterrey, Mexico and Mexico City. In the spring of 2009, in the heart of Andalucia he took on the challenge of presenting a fusion of flamenco and classical music featuring a pianist, guitarist, dancer, and full symphony orchestra. He has been the conductor for the prestigious “Iturbi Piano Competition” in Valencia, Spain for the last two editions.

Max and Mary Bragado have two children: Julio who was formerly a dancer with The American Ballet Theatre and is now studying acting in New York City, and Ilia who teaches dance in Valladolid, Spain and is married to José Manuel Concejo. They have two grandsons, 7 year old Max and 5 year old Alejandro. Both grandchildren are enchanted with their “Abuelito” and “Granny.”

The mission of the Monterey Symphony is to engage, educate and excite our community through the performance and continual discovery of symphonic music.

The Monterey Symphony, under the artistic leadership of Music Director & Conductor Max Bragado-Darman, is the only fully professional, full-season orchestra serving the communities of the Monterey Bay, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Big Sur, and San Benito County. It provides triple performances of a six-concert subscription series at Carmel’s Sunset Theater and Salinas’s Sherwood Hall, as well as youth education programs that include visits to classrooms by musicians and culminate in full-orchestra concerts for school children.

The Monterey Symphony is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, supported in part through the fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Monterey Symphony, and through grants from The Arts Council of Monterey County, The Berkshire Foundation, The Buffet Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Community Foundation for Monterey County, Frisone Family Foundation, Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, The Harden Foundation, The Todd Lueders Fund for the Arts of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Monterey County Weekly Community Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Music Performance Trust Fund, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, The Pebble Beach Company Foundation, The Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation, Samson Foundation, The Robert and Virginia Stanton Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, Warren and Katharine Schlinger Foundation, Alexander F. Victor Foundation, and many other generous foundations and individual donors.

For additional information, please call 831-646-8511 or visit our web site: www.montereysymphony.org.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.montereysymphony.org

Travel

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa Announce tell us Your Favorite California Wine Month Contest in Honor of California Wine Month

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We are lucky to live in a state abundant with fabulous wines…several of which we feature here at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa!

Monterey, CA, August 11, 2016 – We are lucky to live in a state abundant with fabulous wines…several of which we feature here at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa! What’s your favorite California Wine we serve at TusCA or Knuckles and why? Post favorites on our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/hyattregencymonterey/?fref=ts all month long (pictures encouraged) and our favorite posts will receive a dinner for two at #TusCA paired with California Wines selected by Chef Steve!

Contest runs September 1st-September 30th. Winner announced October 5th.

About Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course:
Nestled in 22 acres of soaring Monterey Pines, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course is a destination resort providing the discerning traveler the quintessential Monterey experience. Its location offers guests close proximity to downtown Monterey and Monterey Airport and easy access to some of the Peninsula’s most well-known attractions.

With its warm, contemporary ambiance, elegant furnishings and convenient amenities, the hotel offers both leisure and business travelers a Northern California respite of unmatched serenity and comfort. Features include 550 guestrooms including 32 suites, and the President’s house, TusCA Ristorante, Knuckles Sports Bar, Fireplace Lounge, a 2,000 square foot fitness facility, tennis courts, pools and whirlpools, and 12,000 square foot full service spa. The hotel is located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey, California. For information call (831) 372-1234 or visit www.hyattregencymonterey.com.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.hyattregencymonterey.com

Travel

Enjoy California Wine Month at Carmel’s only wine-themed hotel

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The rich history and spectacular scenery of California’s wine country will be celebrated throughout the month of September — California Wine Month — with special packages and promotions at Carmel’s only wine-themed hotel.

Carmel, CA, August 09, 2016 – The rich history and spectacular scenery of California’s wine country will be celebrated throughout the month of September — California Wine Month — with special packages and promotions at Carmel’s only wine-themed hotel.

Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites has partnered with 15 Carmel Valley wineries to create a unique guest experience, celebrating the bounty of Monterey County’s vineyards.

Each winery sponsors one room or suite, providing its own creative touches to the famous charm of Vendange, a bed and breakfast nestled just minutes from one of the world’s most-spectacular beaches.

From the McIntyre Vineyards room, with its impressive, 100-year-old section of grapevine, to J. Lohr’s wine barrel on the balcony, every winery’s room at Vendange offers a signature luxury experience.

Participating wineries — each of which are only a short, scenic drive from the hotel, include Blair, Cima Collina, Dawn’s Dream, Galante, Holman Ranch,  J. Lohr, Joullian, Manzoni, McIntyre, Otter Cove, Tudor, Twisted Roots and Ventana.

The rooms at Vendange feature sleek, modern bathrooms, with imported Spanish marble. Sleeping areas have memory foam-top beds, deluxe linens, and high-definition flat screen televisions.

The separate Cottage Suite — perfect for a honeymoon or romantic getaway — offers 650 square feet of space, with a California King bed, a 50-inch, high-definition television, and kitchenette.

Located at 24815 Carpenter Street, Vendange is only a short walk from the charms and delights of Carmel, which are not easily experienced in a single day  . Book a second night, Monday through Thursday, for an additional $35, and receive a $50 gift certificate to Carmel’s popular seafood restaurant, <a href=’https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/flahertysseafood?source=feed_text&story_id=883032428430784′>#FlahertysSeafood</a> Grill & Oyster Bar, or <a href=’https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/andresbouchee?source=feed_text&story_id=883032428430784′>#AndresBouchee</a>, the chic French bistro with a <a href=’https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/california?source=feed_text&story_id=883032428430784′>#California</a> coastal flair. (This special California Wine Month offer, valid through September 30th, can only be booked through our website at <a href=’http://vendangecarmel.com/’>vendangecarmel.com</a> while supplies last.)

Book three nights in Vendange King Deluxe rooms and receive a complimentary bottle of Holman Ranch or Twisted Roots award-winning Monterey County wine to help us celebrate California Wine Month.  This package is only available Sunday through Thursday throughout California Wine Month, from September 1 through September 30. Use this code — LoveWine —  to book this very special package. ( Wine will be selected by the manager on duty upon arrival, based on availability.)

Vendange is located a short drive from the Monterey Peninsula Airport, just off scenic Highway 1, with free parking for guests. The hotel is only minutes from downtown Carmel’s famous shopping and fine dining, scenic 17-Mile Drive, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Telephone 831- 624-6400; email: reservations@vendangecarmel.com

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.vendangecarmel.com

Travel

Mesa Del Sol Vineyards & Retreat Celebrates California Wine Month this September

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Ann Hougham, owner of Mesa del Sol Vineyards and Retreat offers guests an adventure in wine and eco-tourism.

Arroyo Seco, Greenfield, CA, August 08, 2016 – Ann Hougham, owner of Mesa del Sol Vineyards and Retreat offers guests an adventure in wine and eco-tourism. Family-owned for 10 years and recently made available to the public, the winery and vacation retreat offers guests award-wining wines as well as a haven to escape from the stress of the everyday world with its weekly rental program.

Mesa Del Sol is excited to celebrate California Wine Month this September with a Facebook Contest! Simply post on our Facebook Page what you love about Mesa Del Sol, from the wines to the property, and Ann’s favorite post will win a gift basket valued at $150 with fresh lavender from the property, signature wines and more! Entrants can simply post on the Mesa Del Sol Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/MesaDelSol) or email their submissions to marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com.

About Mesa Del Sol:
Mesa Del Sol’s historic buildings date back to the late 1800’s with a stone building Mesa Del Sol is the perfect setting for a memorable family reunion, get away with friends, birthday and anniversary celebration, corporate retreat or artisan adventure. Our private, historical estate encompasses 14 walkable acres in the heart of the Arroyo Seco Highlands looking out over the Arroyo Seco River Canyon. Once the site of an early California health retreat and a stagecoach stop, the Estate sets the stage for an unforgettable get away. The entire property has been lovingly restored and includes a gourmet country kitchen, lush ornamental gardens, 55′ pool and large open social areas, with several updated outdoor BBQ areas.

The estate features 5 bedrooms in the main house. There are also two other living quarters close to the main house. The Cowboy Cottage and the Stonehouse Bedroom. The Safari Tent available from April thru Thanksgiving of each year. See the pdf of the floor plans for more details. Some camping and RV (no hookups) space available. In addition to the comforts of bed and bath linens, a fully-equipped kitchen and generous amenities, our accommodations have all the modern conveniences you’ve come to expect. Our ample acreage with separate living areas allow each guest a sense of privacy and space, including room for tent camping!

Enjoy magnificent views in every direction of the surrounding mountain wilderness, sample our organic vegetable garden which provides fresh produce and feel free to collect fresh eggs daily from our chickens! Kids will love watching the wildlife in the trout pond. The front acreage is devoted to the organic vineyard, producing award winning wines which are available for tasting and sale.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455

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Holman Ranch and Jarman Wines Announce New Releases

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Wines Available for Media Tasting

Carmel Valley, CA, July 22, 2016 – The fertile soils and ideal growing conditions of Carmel Valley, Calif., have spawned delectable new wines from Holman Ranch and Jarman Wines, two of Central California’s most-celebrated wineries.

Holman Ranch vintners are proud to introduce two estate-grown wines from the 2015 growing season .5 Degrees Brix ($21 per bottle) and Rose of Pinot Noir ($22) as the newest additions to a menu that already includes 2013 Chardonnay ($27), Unoaked Virgin Chardonnay ($23), Kelly’s Press Pinot Noir ($26), Pinot Gris ($17), Sweet Love Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc ($30), and Sauvignon Blanc ($19), 2012 Heather’s Hill 12HH ($36) and Pinot Noir ($35), 2011 Hunter’s Cuvee Pinot Noir ($41) and Big Daddy Fortified Late Harvest Pinot Noir ($45).

The .5 Degrees Brix and Hunter’s Cuvee were awarded silver medals at the 2016 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Newest offerings from the Jarman estate include 2014 Chardonnay ($45) and Pinot Noir ($80), and 2013 Pinot Noir ($75).

All can be found at http://holmanranch.com/holman-ranch-store/.

About Holman Ranch
Holman Ranch’s 21 acres of vineyards lie between 950 and 1150 feet in elevation, rich with the root stocks and soils that are most important in producing excellent fruit from the vineyards.

The surrounding Santa Lucia Mountains play a crucial role in Carmel Valley viticulture, holding back the marine layer and broad breezes, which is beneficial to producing consistently good fruit. Sedimentary soils such as chock rock and Carmel stone also play a major role in wine producing methods by providing good soil drainage.

Holman Ranch “stresses the vines” of the fruit with emphasis on reproduction, which, in turn, stops growth and ripens fruit. The valley configuration allows for morning fog that rapidly moves out as the air warms — ideal for Pinot Noir grapes. The elevation and proximity to the ocean are positive characteristics for the vines.

Holman Ranch’s vines are planted 15 degrees off due north, which allows for all-day sunlight on fruit zone and good protection from breeze.

No chemical herbicides or pesticides are used on our fruit, and we have received our sustainable and organic certification. Holman Ranch is also 100 percent estate vineyards and winery.

Holman Ranch’s wines are unfined and crafted to deliver the true varietal of the grape from harvest to table. Purity and passion are key ingredients in the wine-making process, and this is where Holman Ranch truly stands out.

Wine Caves:
The winery at Holman Ranch, located in The Caves, is completely underground in order to take advantage of the natural cooling and humidity held below. The 3000 square foot area maintains a constant temperature of 58˚F-60 ˚F and contains four 750 gallon tanks, four 1200 gallon tanks, and four open top tanks that can hold two tons each. One hundred (100) French oak barrels are maintained year round. Winery operations such as destemming, pressing, fermenting and aging take place within the cool environment of The Caves, while bottling is done directly outside using a mobile bottling line. During harvest, 6 to 8 tons of grapes a day are processed. This may seem low but it is due to the fact that harvesting hours are between 7am to noon on any given day. Grapes are hand picked and loaded into half ton bins, transferred to the winery by tractor and then moved by forklift to the destemmer. White wines take around three weeks to ferment at 50˚F and are bottled in February, while red varietals ferment for two weeks and are bottled in early June. All skins, seeds and stems are composted and returned to the fields. Slow months for our winery are June, July and August with the busiest time being September. The winery will produce 3000-5000 cases annually.

Vineyard & Winery Background:
Located at the north eastern tip of the Carmel Valley Appellation, the family-owned Holman Ranch resides approximately 12 miles inland from the Pacific Coast. Immersed in history and romance, the ranch has not only proven to be an excellent growing location for our vineyards but also for the Tuscan varietal olive trees which have flourished under the temperate climate.

Our estate-grown wine varietals are planted on approximately 21 acres of undulating terrain.
The wines produced are unfined and crafted to deliver the true varietal of the grape from harvest to bottle.
The climate and terroir of the appellation has played a critical part in the success of our wines. The warmth of our inland valley coupled with the cooling marine layer has established itself as an ideal microclimate for the production of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Our Burgundy Clones have thrived from the perfect blend of ideal climate, southern exposure and thin rocky soils.

Holman Ranch Tasting Room:
Holman Ranch’s Carmel Valley tasting room offers the perfect backdrop to swirl, sip and savor the different complexities of Holman Ranch Vineyard and Winery wines. There is something for everyone (4 varietals in fact), from the full-bodied Pinot Noirs to the light, fruity flavors of our Pinot Gris and lightly oaked Chardonnay. Holman Ranch also offers estate grown and bottled Olive Oil available for tasting and purchase at the Tasting Room.

The Tasting Room showcases the estate wines of Holman Ranch which includes our Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé of Pinot Noir. Carefully hand-harvested, cold pressed and bottled, the Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced from the fruits of our Tuscan trees has a delightful spice followed by a buttery finish.

Three tasting flights of three wines each (White, Mountain and Pinot Noir) are available 7 days a week. The Tasting Room also holds a series of cooking demos called In Your Backyard. For more information, call (831) 659-2640.

Olive Grove:
Holman Ranch has its own distinctive olive grove located on a south facing hill of our vineyard. The grove is comprised of 100 trees with multiple cultivars planted. These cultivars consist of 25 Frantoio, 25 Leccino, 10 Mission, 25 Coratina, 5 Pendolino, and 10 Picholine, all of which were originally planted in 2194 in a Carmel Valley orchard then replanted at Holman Ranch in 2007. These mature olive trees allowed us to produce olive oil right away. They are planted in shale for the best production and harvesting results possible. We harvest our fruit by hand in December, which is then milled, producing a superb, high quality product. Although the Olive Grove is not certified organic, we do employ organic practices when farming our trees. Our mill, however, is certified organic. An interesting fact is that olive trees are alternate bearing, which means that one year they may produce 650, 375ml bottles worth of oil, while next year they may produce only 50, 375ml bottles.

Holman Ranch Background:
Holman Ranch: Where the Past is Always Present. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Carmel Valley, Californian historic Holman Ranch provides a unique and memorable setting for weddings, special events, family gatherings, corporate retreats, and team-building events. With its charming gardens, stunning mountain views and serenity, this private estate affords old-world charm while providing modern day conveniences. This stunning Property includes a fully restored stone hacienda, overnight guest rooms, vineyards, olive grove, horse stables and more. www.holmanranch.com

About Jarman Wines
Jarman’s terroir (a French word that speaks to a wine’s place of origin, its subtle nuances of traceable character, flavor, lineage and integrity) refers to a special place in Carmel Valley — and also to a special woman, family matriarch Jarman Fearing Lowder, who inspired a family to bottle the essence of a mother’s spirit.

The Jarman label reflects quality, with only the best local grapes used during an artisanal, small-batch winemaking process.

Jarman wine uses only 100-percent estate-grown, organic and certified-sustainable grapes. Aged in French oak barrels, Jarman’s vintages are held in limited supply, and are not available anywhere outside their tasting room in Carmel Valley Village (open noon to 5 p.m., Thurs.-Sun.; or by appointment), next to Will’s Fargo Steakhouse + Bar, the restaurant the family purchased in 2014.

The tastings will feature full-fledged experiences, including tours and wine education, and each will include a food element that complements the wine. The new Jarman tasting room will provide visitors with three unique experiences: Cru Tasting, Premier Cru Experience and the Grand Cru Experience.

Jarman Tasting Lounge and Patio, 18 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA. For more information call Jarman Tasting Lounge and Patio at 831-298-7300 or email info@jarmanwine.com.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.holmanranch.com

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The Clement Palo Alto offers Shopping Package with the Famed Stanford Shopping Center

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The famed Stanford Shopping Center recently completed a multi-million dollar redevelopment project, with world-renowned Bloomingdale’s moving to a new location to make way for the improvements.

Palo Alto, CA, July 09, 2016 – The famed Stanford Shopping Center recently completed a multi-million dollar redevelopment project, with world-renowned Bloomingdale’s moving to a new location to make way for the improvements. The three-level, 125,000-square-foot reimagined Stanford Shopping Center store includes 68 designer shops, over 100 new brands, and a refreshed assortment of stylish essentials for women, men, children and home.

The 25 new retailers to set up shop in the new area include: Anthropologie; Allen-Edmonds Shoe; LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics; Luisa Spagnoli, a Italian women’s fashion boutique; AllSaints, a British fashion house; lululemon; Everything But Water, a designer swim and resort fashion boutique; The North Face; Uno de 50, a Spanish jewelry shop; and Vineyard Vines, a clothing and gift store; Japanese lifestyle retailer Muji and girls’ retailer Brandy Melville.

Three new eateries were also part of the renovation, including the vegan/vegetarian restaurant True Food Kitchen; Tender Greens, which features fresh local produce; and Minamoto Kitchen, a shop that will sell artisanal Japanese desserts.

Several of Stanford Shopping Center’s existing retailers also moved to expanded locations in the mall, including Victoria’s Secret, BCBG/MAXAZRIA, J. Crew, Solstice and Tommy Bahama.

A new outdoor plaza, which was part of the renovation of the shopping center’s common areas, features gardens, a stretch of lawn where people can sit and a water feature with infinity edges.

One of the three anchor stores in the Stanford Shopping Center is the iconic Bloomingdale’s. The Clement Palo Alto is now offering an exclusive shopping trip to this celebrated store. This exciting experience can include such things as:

Complimentary Style Advisor (personal shopper) appointments and beauty consultations (advance reservations required)
Little Brown Bag welcome amenity
15% off Savings Certificate (see in-store for details and restrictions)
Exclusive event invitations
Car pick-up service

Bloomingdale’s is America’s only nationwide, full-line, upscale department store and a division of Macy’s, Inc. It was founded in 1872 and currently operates 38 Bloomingdale’s stores and 16 Bloomingdale’s, The Outlet Stores, in California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. In addition, Bloomingdale’s has an international presence with a location in Dubai. Be sure to follow @bloomingdales on social media, become a Loyallist, and for more information, or to shop any time, visit www.bloomingdales.com.

The Clement Palo Alto can design this shopping experience specifically to the hotel guest’s needs and desires.

The Clement Palo Alto’s all-inclusive services and amenities include:
* All-inclusive breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
* All-inclusive wine, beer and cocktails (charges apply for premium brands)
* All-inclusive in-room dining
* All-inclusive mini-bar
* All-inclusive fully-stocked Guest Pantry available around the clock
* All-inclusive Business Center
* All-inclusive valet parking
* All-inclusive twice-daily housekeeping services
* All-inclusive overnight shoe shine services
* All-inclusive high-speed Internet
* All-inclusive personal assistants
* All-inclusive gratuities

The Clement Palo Alto is ideally located across from Stanford University and next to downtown Palo Alto, with its award-winning restaurants, world-class shopping and upscale spas. It is just 45 minutes south of San Francisco and only 30 minutes north of San Jose, not only making it convenient, but easily accessible to the world-famous sights and myriad activities of both cities.

Overall, The Clement Palo Alto offers a unique, one-of-a-kind 6-star experience in the heart of Silicon Valley with unparalleled personal service, all-inclusive luxury and privacy in a warm, inviting and luxurious residential environment.

To book a room and the shopping package, contact Oscar Gonzalez, our Guest Experience Specialist, at ogonzalez@theclementpaloalto.com, Monday through Friday or call (650) 322-7111.

Contact:
The Clement Hotel
711 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, California 94301
650.322.7111
www.theclementpaloalto.com

About Pacific Hotel Management, LLC
The Clement Hotel is owned and managed by Pacific Hotel Management, LLC. Pacific Hotel Management, LLC. is a privately-owned company that specializes in the development and management of high quality hotels using a variety of franchise brands. Pacific Hotel Management, LLC (PHM) manages all of the hotels owned by affiliates of Clement Chen & Associates, combining a focused corporate administrative staff with a “hands-on” management philosophy to operate profitable, well-maintained hotels. PHM is based in San Mateo, California, and can be visited on the Web at www.phmhotels.com.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.theclementpaloalto.com

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Central Valley Winery Offers Perfect Tongue in Cheek Wedding Wine for Brides and Grooms with Sense of Humor and Fun

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It takes a lot of audacity to name a wine created to be served at weddings “Ball and Chain,” but Solitary Cellars Wine Co. is no ordinary winery.

Lodi, CA, June 26, 2016 — It takes a lot of audacity to name a wine created to be served at weddings “Ball and Chain,” but Solitary Cellars Wine Co. is no ordinary winery.

Owned by two California state correctional officers, Solitary Cellars is well known for not taking itself too seriously and having fun with the sometimes stuffy and too-proper wine industry.

The tagline for their winery, after all, is: “Solitary Cellars — Wines Without Restraints.” Their wine club is called the Chain Gang, with two levels, Minimum and Maximum Custody, and the tasting room is called the North Block Tasting Room.

Now winery partners Greg “Bergie” Bergersen and Rick “Q” Quesada are having a little more fun by offering brides and grooms with a sense of humor a new wine to serve at their weddings: Ball and Chain, a term that can be applied to both prisoners and wives. Facetiously and with a smile for the latter, of course.

“My wife, Syndi and I were approached by Curtis Williamson and he respectfully asked for our blessing to marry our daughter Paige,” says Bergersen, who retired from corrections in 2014 to start the winery with Quesada, who is still active. “We enthusiastically agreed and that began the conversation about wine served at their wedding dinner.”

Of course, his daughter asked for one of Dad’s wines. But not just any wine.

“My daughter asked if we could develop a wine that no one had ever tasted and that would be unique to them,” says Bergersen. “We put the request in motion and developed a Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah blend. The wine was rich, full flavored and very balanced. We decided to call the blend Ball and Chain. The name seemed appropriate as the term has a prison component, as our blends do, but also has to do with a widely used phrase describing a marital relationship, as in ‘the old ball and chain.’

”The wine was not only a big hit at his daughter’s wedding, it won a gold medal from the San Joaquin County Wine Growers Association, and Bergersen and Quesada hope other wedding couples take a shine to it.

“We plan on bottling the blend in large-format bottles, because our wedding customers can have the bottles signed by the entire wedding party,” says Bergersen. “We hope the new vintage of Ball and Chain, which is scheduled for a 2016 late fall or early 2017 release will be found at many weddings throughout the country.”

About Solitary Cellars:
Owned and operated by Greg Bergersen and Rick Quesada, two California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officers with more than 45 years of service in California’s most dangerous prisons, Solitary Cellars produces wines in Lodi, California (Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Region of the Year 2015), working with renowned growers from Monterey County, Amador County, Lodi and Lake County. The winery’s portfolio of premium wines features deep red wines that show off the essence of California’s most-respected vineyards and wine growers.

The Solitary Cellars portfolio currently include the 2014 Code Three (a red wine blend) (Lodi); 2012 and 2013 Liberty Oak Tempranillo (Lodi); 2014 Solitary Cellars Albariño (Lodi); 2013 Evasion Syrah Rosé (Fresno); 2012 and 2013 Solitary Cellars Old Vine Zinfandel (Lodi); 2013 Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah; 2013 Shenandoah Valley Barbera (Amador); 2013 Monterey County Pinot Noir.

The wines are targeted to consumers directly in the tasting room, online and in select restaurants and wine bars.

Solitary Cellars’ winery is located in Lodi and its North Block Tasting Room is located in Madera, California.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
https://www.solitarycellars.com/

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Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea Announces New Pin it to Win it contest

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Post your favorite family pictures anytime throughout the month of July and our favorite post will win a two-night stay in a two-room suite!

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, June 18, 2016 – Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea announces its new Pin it to Win it contest!

This July we are ready for some fun in the sun and what’s more fun than kids at the beach Post your favorite family pictures anytime throughout the month of July and our favorite post will win a two-night stay in a two-room suite!

Simply:
* Follow us on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/hofsashouse
* Create A boared titled: Family Getaways
* Add a minimum of 5 pictures of your family vacation destination with the hashtag #HofsasHouseGetaways
* Email a link to your board to marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com
* One lucky winner will receive a two -night stay at our beautiful hotel in Carmel!
* Contest runs July 1st – July 30th. Winner announced August 5th.

About Hofsas House:
Owned and operated by the Theis Family, Hofsas House Hotel is within walking distance of everything Carmel has to offer, including a stunning beach, fine restaurants and shops and wine tasting. It provides peaceful respite and European charm just minutes from Monterey, Pebble Beach, Big Sur and Pacific Grove. The Hofsas House’s 38 spacious, one-of-a-kind rooms boast European comfort and lovely views and amenities such as fireplaces, private balconies, wet bars, kitchens and patios. Large suites provide the perfect stay for newlyweds and anyone else seeking an extra special getaway. Dutch doors in every room allow guests to welcome in the ocean air, and free WiFi enables them to stay connected — if they want to.

The Hofsas House Hotel family works to ensure every visitor’s experience is special, striving to offer the highest quality personal services. Consider the continental breakfast, abundant with fresh French Roast coffee, tea, juice, fruit and pastries from a neighborhood bakery, or the personalized concierge services for guests and their families, including their four-legged family members, who are welcome as well.

For large groups — wedding parties, company meetings, family reunions and others — Hofsas HouseHotel offers a spacious room equipped with a fireplace and full kitchen that can comfortably accommodate 40 people. A heated pool, dry saunas, decks with views and off-street parking are on-site as well.

Hofsas House Hotel is located on San Carlos Street, north of Fourth Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For more information, call (831) 624-2745 or visit www.hofsashouse.com.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.hofsashouse.com

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Meet The Team Behind Solitary Cellars Winery

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Two corrections officers at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, California (Bergersen is recently retired, Quesada is still active) launched their own line of wines in 2014, aptly named Solitary Cellars Wine Company.

Salinas, CA, June 16, 2016 – Prisons and the wine industry don’t have a whole lot in common. Unless you’re Greg Bergersen and Rick Quesada, that is.

The two corrections officers at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, California (Bergersen is recently retired, Quesada is still active) launched their own line of wines in 2014, aptly named Solitary Cellars Wine Company.

And to press the prison-wine connection even more, the tagline for their wine business is, “Solitary Cellars – Wines Without Restraints.” Their wine club is called the Chain Gang, with two levels, Minimum and Maximum Custody. You get the picture.

So how do two longtime law enforcement veterans get into the wine business, a notoriously difficult and fickle endeavor, even for those with experience and expertise in wine and winemaking?

Almost by accident, as it turns out.

“I used to make wine at home under my own label, Bergindi Cellars. Bergindi Cellars was a combination of my work nickname, Bergie and my wife’s name, Syndi. As a home winemaker, making wine was a hobby I enjoyed,” says Bergersen. “I was a member of a local winery’s wine club and we would talk about winemaking. As a member perk, they would test my projects in their lab, which was quite small. From there we were asked if we would be interested in developing a brand, and of course the opportunity was too great to let pass. And from there Solitary Cellars was born.

Before long, their wines were outselling the winery’s own wines and the winery owner started to put restrictions on the duo, which caused a bit of a conflict.

“So we decided to go into business for ourselves,” says Bergersen about the partnership with Quesada. “We’re cut from the same cloth and we work well together. Working in a prison setting allows us to see each other in various situations and under different pressures. We having been tested in critical situations and we see things similarly, so it seemed like a good fit. I deal with the wine, Rick deals with the customer service and loyalty. We just wanted to build a professional business we could be proud of and which represents the standards of all law enforcement professionals.”

Neither of them had any business background, so they basically learned on the job, by trial and error, which Bergersen admits was a “laborious process,” especially the seemingly endless paperwork. “Our business model is simple and tested, make the best wine from the best fruit possible, present the finished product at an appropriate value and provide the absolute best experience. If we do that, the rest will fall into place.”

“It was relatively low risk and it wouldn’t be a big loss (if the business failed),” says Quesada, whose prison nickname is “Q.” “We started with three varietals, gained some momentum and soon outgrew the place we were in. We moved our production to Lodi, California because of location and the abundance of high quality fruit from exceptional growers. We then leased the North Block Tasting Room in the ApCal (Appellation California) event center, located in Madera, California for our tasting room.”

The business is a two-man job, with some help from their wives and friends, or as Bergersen puts it, “We do everything.”

And the tasting room, dubbed the North Block Tasting Room, reflects their shared 45 years in law enforcement and corrections, complete mug shots, a replica jail cell, a box of actual prison “shivs” (makeshift knives) and the duo’s endless and colorful prison stories.

“We’re probably the only tasting room of its kind in the world,” says Bergersen. “But for us it’s all about the wines. We want the experience to be the wine. But we do have a bazillion stories!”

Married for 28 years with a 26-year-old daughter who is a nurse, Bergersen spent 25 years as a state prison corrections officer before retiring in 2014 from his position as a Lieutenant. In 2010, Bergersen was named the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Supervisor of the Year. He retired from Valley State Prison as the institutions Public Information Officer and Administrative Assistant to the Warden.

Quesada served four years in the U.S. Army before joining the California Department of Corrections in 1996. Quesada has a resume that is vast and diverse. Quesada could be the most highly trained Lieutenant at Valley State Prison. He is married with a daughter and two sons and lives in Fresno.

Solitary Cellars’ wines is produced using grapes from several of California’s best wine-growing regions, including Sonoma County, Lodi, the Santa Lucia Highlands, Lake County, Santa Barbera County and, of course, the Central Valley.

“Our business model is to focus on the regions that grow the best varietals,” says Quesada. “There’s the old saying, ‘All good wines start with good fruit,’ so we focus on the growers. We establish relationships with growers. We want to work with the growers with dust on their boots. Our Tempranillo and Albariño are from Markus Bokisch Vineyards who was voted 20 Most Admired Wine Grape growers in North America by Wines and Vines magazine.”

“When people come in, they’re shocked at the quality of the wines,” adds Bergersen. “We attribute that to great growers in great growing regions.”

The Solitary Cellars current portfolio consists of the 2014 Code Three (a red wine blend) (Lodi); 2012 and 2013 Liberty Oak Tempranillo (Lodi); 2014 Solitary Cellars Albariño Lodi ; 2013 Evasion Syrah Rosé (Fresno); 2012 and 2013 Solitary Cellars “East Block” Old Vine Zinfandel (Lodi); 2013 Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah; 2013 Shenandoah Valley Barbera (Amador); 2013 Monterey Pinot Noir.

The wines are targeted to consumers directly in the tasting room, online and in select restaurants and wine bars.

“We are very concerned with the branding of Solitary, we’re very conscious of where it’s marketed and our brand as a premium wine,” says Bergersen. “There are three areas work very hard at, we manage costs, we provide an exceptional product and experience and we work harder than everyone else.”

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
https://www.solitarycellars.com/

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2017 Big Sur Foragers Festival Dates Announced Festival Announces Partners and Details

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Big Sur Health Center, a non-profit organization offering affordable healthcare to the Big Sur community, announced January 13 – 15, 2017 as the dates of its annual Big Sur Foragers Festival.

Big Sur, CA, June 15, 2016 – Big Sur Health Center, a non-profit organization offering affordable healthcare to the Big Sur community, announced January 13 – 15, 2017 as the dates of its annual Big Sur Foragers Festival. Held in Big Sur along California’s central coast and throughout Monterey County, the festival is a weekend-long celebration featuring an amazing array of wild foods, world-class wine and beer, entertainment, expert-led foraging hikes and a friendly chef competition with celebrity judges. This year’s partners include Carmel Valley Ranch, the sister property of longtime host Ventana Big Sur.

The event has traditionally served as a fundraiser for the Big Sur Health Center. The community’s non-profit health center will receive the proceeds from the foraging events to continue to support the presence of local health care services in the Big Sur area.

The three day festival affords Big Sur area restaurants the opportunity to host the culinary expertise of notable chefs who will be preparing unique fare ranging from rustic to elegant, paired alongside the central coast region’s amazing selection of wine and beer.

New events for 2017 include:

• A new Friday night winemaker dinner series held at select restaurants throughout Monterey County. Hyatt Carmel Highlands just announced it will host a winemakers dinner for 20 people in its Legendary Wine Room. Details to come.
Back by Popular Demand:
• This year’s partners include Carmel Valley Ranch, the summer camp-inspired sister resort of longtime host Ventana Big Sur that sprawls across 500 acres in the nearby Carmel Valley. Due to renovations at Ventana Big Sur, this year’s Fungus Face-Off and the Celebrity Chef dinner will take place at this playful destination resort that celebrates a deep connection to the land with passionate culinary, wine and farming artisans and guest learning experiences ranging from organic gardening and foraging to wine making and lavender and beekeeping workshops.
• “Fungus Face-Off” will take place in a beautiful tented setting on the Pete Dye-designed golf course at Carmel Valley Ranch. This popular event sells out early. Tickets will be on sale soon.
• Grand Chef Dinner at Carmel Valley Ranch – details to be announced soon.
• Foraging walk led by local experts at Ventana Big Sur. “Wild Mushroom Walks and Talk” at Pfeiffer State Park led by Steve Copeland of Big Sur Guides and his team of expert mushroom foragers. This year, hikes will be held on Sunday.

Stay tuned for more details coming soon. For event details and venue information, visit www.bigsurforagersfestival.org or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bigsurforagersfestival.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455

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