Niner Wine Estates Announces Wine Education Series...
New Paso Robles Winery to host educational programs
for food and wine enthusiasts

(Paso Robles, Calif)- June 24, 2010-Niner Wine Estates has announced that they will host five wine-related educational programs in their new, state-of-the-art Hospitality Center on the West Side of Paso Robles. Running mid June to mid October, the classes will cover a wide range of subjects for wine and food enthusiasts of every level.

Led by a selection of talented chefs and representatives from different areas of the culinary and wine worlds, along with professionally trained in-house educators, the courses offer guests a way to increase wine and food knowledge in a relaxed, un-intimidating atmosphere. These special programs are just the first in a series that will eventually include hands-on cooking classes, wine dinners, and extensive multiple-day programs.

"One of the Hospitality Center's main goals is to highlight the Central Coast's edible bounty," said Director of Hospitality, Rick Toyota. "We will definitely be taking advantage of the region's wonderful local produce, dairy, meat, and seafood." Toyota continued, "Early in my career I learned that wine by itself is simply a beverage, food by itself is simply nourishment, and friends and family by themselves are simply company. It's when you bring all three together that you create a celebration."

Current seminars include:

· The Basics of Wine Tasting (June 19, July 24, August 21)
Participants learn how to identify and evaluate wines, and how winemaking techniques affect flavor and style. Seminars include a tasting of six wines as part of the exercise. Tuition is $30 per person.* 60 minutes.

· What a Difference a Glass Makes (June 26, July 31, August 28)
Wines are sampled in a variety of glass shapes to demonstrate whether specific shapes affect the flavor. Seminars include a tasting of four wines. Tuition is $30 per person.* 60 minutes.

· A Sense of Place (July 10, August 7, Sept. 11)
Through a sampling of eight wines from Paso Robles and beyond, participants will learn the definition of terrior and how it affects the flavor of wine from different regions in the world. Tuition is $40 per person.* 60 minutes.

· The Essence of Wine and Food Pairing (July 17, August 14, Sept. 18)
This class explores the basics of wine and food pairing through the understanding of a recipe's "bridge ingredients," which give distinct clues to complementary flavors. The affect of umami (the fifth sensation of taste) will also be explored. Tuition is $50 per person.* 90 minutes.

· 2010 Harvest Seminar and Tour (Every Sat. from mid Sept. through mid. Oct.)
Participants in this highly informative seminar explore the winemaking process from grape to glass. A tour of the vineyard and winemaking facilities will allow guests to sample fruit, witness sorting and pressing, and learn how different practices affect the final flavor of wine. Tuition is $45 per person.* 90-120 minutes.

*Wine Club discount applicable to all seminars; additional details are available by visiting www.ninerwine.com; for further information and reservations, contact the Niner Wine Estates Tasting Room at (805) 239-2233.

Niner Wine Estates is the visionary initiative of Richard Niner, who believes that a blend of exceptional people, vineyards, tools, and ideas is the key to creating world-class wines and providing a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of Paso Robles wine country. Since its founding in 2001, the Niner Wine Estates roster of award-winning wines has grown to include Rhône, Italian and Bordeaux varietals, including their flagship Bordeaux blend, Fog Catcher. An independent, family-owned company, Niner Wine Estates is dedicated to making exceptional wines using the best of traditional winemaking methods and cutting-edge technologies. Winemaker Amanda Cramer shepherds estate-grown fruit from Bootjack Ranch and Heart Hill Vineyard into wines that express terroir and elegance.

For more information about Niner Wine Estates, please call (805) 226-4874, or visit www.ninerwine.com. Niner Wine Estates is located at: 2400 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles, CA 93446.