Industry Legend Marchese Piero Antinori to Present Rare Tasting Tour of Estate Wines at Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival

December 4, 2006

Woodinville, WA – Italy’s Marchese Piero Antinori, President of a family-owned company that spans 26 generations and more than 620 years of traditional and innovative winemaking, will host a rare tour and tasting of wines produced from the family’s great estates during the Wine Spectator Wine Seminar series at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival on Sunday afternoon, February 25, 2006.
 “The Antinori Family: Past, Present and Future,” features a very exclusive opportunity to explore great Italian wine regions with a visionary who is considered among the world’s most respected and greatest innovators.  The tour will begin in Umbria and continue to four of Antinori’s nine estates in Tuscany.  Each estate is notable for rich cultural histories, and acclaimed vineyards and wines, including:

1. Umbria—The Castello della Sala Estate is located in Orvieto and features a medieval castle built in 1350, the estate produces white wines exclusively, including the famous Cervaro della Sala, a blend of Chardonnay and Grechetto.  
   
   
2. Tuscany, Chianti Classico—The Tignanello Estate, with its famous Tignanello and Solaia vineyards, is where first Super Tuscan wine Tignanello, a Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon blend, was produced.  The Badia a Passignano Estate is one of the most prestigious properties in Tuscany that produces a Sangiovese designated Chianti Classico Riserva bearing the name Badia a Passignano.
   
3. Tuscany, Bolgheri—The Guado al Tasso Estate is located in the Bolgheri Superiore district along the Tuscan coast and produces, among others, Guado al Tasso, one of Antinori’s world class Super-Tuscan wines, and Vermentino.
   
   
4. Tuscany, Montalcino—The Pian delle Vigne Estate takes its name from a 19th century railway station on the property which is still used today.  The  Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino is produced exclusively form Sangiovese.
   
5. Tuscany, Montepulciano—The La Braccecsa Estate is located in Montepulciano, where wine production dates back to 789 AD.  The La Braccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a blend of Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and Merlot.

Seminar tickets are available through the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival web site, www.sobewineandfoodfest.com.

Marchesi Antinori, is a family-owned wine producer in Tuscany since at least the 12th century and, officially, since Giavanni di Piero Antinori joined the Florentine Vintners Guild in 1385.  Marchese Piero Antinori, the 25th generation president of the company, has played a vital role in the preservation of Italy’s enological traditions, while at the same time, his innovative, dynamic and visionary views have led to Italy’s recognition as a producer of world-class wine. As the 26th generation of the Antinori family, Piero Antinori’s daughters Albiera, Allegra and Alessia are now involved in all aspects of Marchesi Antinori - and will play important roles in the prestigious producer’s future.

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Press Contacts:

Kari Leitch
Director, Communications
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
(425) 415-3673
kari.leitch@ste.michelle.com