McGrail Vineyards to Offer Exclusive PICAZO Vineyards Wines

For Immediate Release
Contact: Heather McGrail
McGrail Vineyards and Winery
925-215-0717
heather@mcgrailvineyards.com

McGrail Vineyards to Offer Exclusive PICAZO Vineyards WinesAdds Ultra-Premium Merlot and Other Award-Winning PICAZO Wines to McGrail’s Award-Winning Offerings

Livermore, California — November 1, 2012 — McGrail Vineyards and Winery, a leading producer of premium Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, announced today that it will offer the wines of PICAZO Vineyards, a neighboring Livermore Valley winery focused on ultra-premium Merlot. Previously, the exclusive PICAZO wines were offered only by allocation, so this makes them available to a wider wine-loving audience.  This is a natural partnership for the wineries since they already use the same winemaker, Mark Clarin, and each focuses on premium Bordeaux-style Livermore Valley varietals. In addition to offering existing PICAZO wines, McGrail will handle winery operations and sales for PICAZO on an ongoing basis. PICAZO will continue to
operate its estate vineyard, and provide premium Merlot fruit for McGrail to produce handcrafted Livermore Valley wine.

“We have known the McGrails for several years and share their passion to grow high-quality fruit and offer premium wines,” said Pam Picazo, proprietor of PICAZO Vineyards. “This is an ideal partnership because we wanted to get out of day-to-day winery operations and focus on producing the best Merlot fruit in the Livermore Valley. We are delighted that they will continue to offer outstanding PICAZO Merlot made from our grapes.”
“This is a great addition to our award-winning Cabernet,” said Heather McGrail, President of McGrail Vineyards and Winery. “Due to our success in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition we have enjoyed sold-out vintages the past few years, and the addition of other Bordeaux-style wines already made by the same winemaker is perfect. Starting immediately we will be offering all the PICAZO wines in our tasting room.”

About McGrail Vineyards and WineryMcGrail Vineyards is a family-owned vineyard and winery based in Livermore, California, specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon. It was founded in 1999 as a vineyard offering fruit to other wineries, and started offering its own handcrafted wines in 2003, expanding to an estate tasting room and winery in April, 2008. Since 2009, Mark Clarin has been the winemaker. The 2008 Reserve Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was named Best Red Wine in the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, beating more than 5000 entrants. While the McGrails are dedicated to offering the highest-quality wines, they are warm, passionate and down-to-earth and offer an approachable wine-tasting experience in their casual hilltop tasting room. Additional information is
available at www.mcgrailvineyards.com.

About PICAZO VineyardsPICAZO Vineyards, founded in 2004, is a family-owned vineyard and winery based in Livermore, California, specializing in Merlot.  In addition to the estate Merlot, it offers a range of award-winning wines, including Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, a red Bordeaux blend called Proprietary Red, and a Rose. Mark Clarin, partner and winemaker, has been crafting their wines since inception, and is focused on producing Livermore Valley estate Merlot rivaling the best of Napa and Sonoma counties. Additional information is available at www.picazovineyards.com.

California Wine Month and Winemaker Dinners with McGrail

McGrail Vineyards and Winery Celebrates California Wine Month with Two Winemaker Dinners

 

LIVERMORE, CA – September 13, 2012  – McGrail Vineyards and Winery is celebrating California Wine Month along with the Wine Institute.  Governor Jerry Brown, proclaimed California Wine Month, for the eighth consecutive year, where we celebrate the states rich wine history, abundant agricultural efforts, and lifestyle and economic impact of wine country.  Wine regions across California are popping corks this month to celebrate all that our great state has to offer.

 McGrail Vineyards and Winery is participating in two winemaker dinners in the month of September.  On September 18, 2012, Livermore Valley Winemakers will team together to showcase the Valley’s terroir with creations from Blackhawk Grille.  This 5 course meal will include wines from Wente Vineyards, Darcie Kent, Steven Kent Winery, McGrail Vineyards, and Wood Family Vineyards.  Tickets are $95 and reservations are accepted by calling Blackhawk Grille (925) 736-4295. 

September 25, 2012, McGrail and Double Barrel Wine Bar, in Livermore, will pair for the second time, for an eclectic Winemaker Dinner.  McGrail Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve and Double Barrels cocoa rubbed pork belly pairing took home the top honors at the Livermore Valley Taste of Terroir event in July, 2012.  The “Judges Best” winners were thrilled and excited to expand on their pairing for an entire evening of food and wine indulgences.

Executive chef, Tony Murray and Sous Chef Ashley Ullrich, put together a dazzling menu that includes Tasmanian salmon, oysters & pearls, pork belly, duck and white bean cassoulet, and dessert.  McGrail Vineyards winemaker, Mark Clarin, explained that a special, not released, small lot Cabernet from McGrail will be paired with one of the courses.  This special bottle is the James Vincent Cabernet which is aged for 30 months in new French oak and runs $65/bottle.

For reservations and tickets, please contact Double Barrel Wine Bar at (925) 243-7463 or Kristin@doublebarrelwinebar.com.

McGrail Vineyards and Winery, located in the Livermore Valley American Viticulture Area in Northern California, is owned by the McGrail family. Double Barrel Wine Bar, located in Downtown Livermore is owned and operated by Kristin and Robert Armstrong.