Prager Port Works Favorite for Holiday Sipping

St. Helena, CA, November 15, 2006; While vintage ports tend to be special- occasion ports, tawny ports are smooth, lighter and eminently more approachable. Soft, round flavors and aromas acquired during the lengthy aging process makes tawny perfect for sipping, and Prager Port Works' Noble Companion Tawny Port is a stellar example of the style.

Produced from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the Napa Valley, this rich wine is, as typical for tawny ports, a blend of several harvests. Prager blends five vintages of cabernet sauvignon port in the current release, the oldest from 1991.

Through the blending process, winemaker Peter Prager imbues Noble Companion with both the seductive nut and caramel flavors of aged port and hints of candied orange zest and cherry, typical of Prager's more youthful wines. “The Noble Companion has a wonderful soft finish, too," says Prager. “It's made in the classic tawny style and is one of our most popular ports."

Because tawny port has already been aged in cask, Noble Companion is ready to enjoy now. And the time spent aging gives it potential for longevity once opened. This means the Noble Companion uncorked for the holidays, if stored properly, can be enjoyed even after the New Year celebrations are but a memory. And because a tawny port also lends itself to being served slightly chilled, Noble Companion will be delicious even once the seasons change.

At their family winery, the Pragers have produced ports and welcomed visitors since 1979. Stepping onto their tidy property tucked into the vineyards just outside of St. Helena is like stepping back into Napa Valley history. Prager Winery & Port Works evokes a time when making wine was about improving the quality of life rather than buying into architectural splendor and wine country glitz.

Just 312 cases of Prager's Noble Companion were produced, priced at $50 for the 750 ml bottle. The Prager family also produces Royal Escort vintage port made from Petite Sirah grapes, Tomas Port made from rare Portuguese Touriga and Tinta Cao grapes and named after a grandchild, Aria, Chardonnay port, as well as a gold-medal Petite Sirah table wine. Prager's dessert wines, Madeline and Sweet Claire, are also named after grandchildren.

Prager wines and ports are available at the tasting room at 1281 Lewelling Lane in St. Helena, from their Web site at www.pragerport.com, and at select retail stores.

Note to editors: If you would like a sample of Prager's Noble Companion Tawny Port for possible editorial coverage, please contact Christine Piccin at the MacKenzie Agency at 707-545-3280, or piccin@mackenzieagency.com.