Wine enthusiasts, celebrities and the next generation of winemakers, filled the Ian Ross Gallery in San Francisco Thursday night for the Rock and Vine book release party. The readable wine coffee table book, authored by publisher Chelsea Prince, edited by Master of Wine Christy Canterbury, and photographed by Mary Steinbacher, introduces talented wine industry trailblazers who are primed to perpetuate and evolve the legacy of Napa and Sonoma Valley wine country.
In Napa, fifth generation winemaker Joe Wagner creates the nation’s best selling Pinot Noir, while second generation wine brand director Christina Turley hooks a new generation on dry, high-end White Zinfandel. In Sonoma, Jordan Kivelstadt introduces America to premium wine-on-tap, while reality television star Ben Flajnik and his partners Mike Benziger and Danny Fay are mixing serious biodynamic wines with seriously good times.
The eleven profiled leaders are: Joe Wagner of Wagner Family Made Wine; Nicole Marchesi of Far Niente; Angelina Mondavi of Dark Matter; Dalia Ceja of Ceja Vineyards; Christina Turley of Turley Wine Cellars; Tony Leonardi of BNA Wine Group; Jason Exposto of Futo; Aug Sebastiani of The Other Guys; Jordan Kivelstadt of Free Flow Wines; Morgan Peterson of Bedrock Wine Co.; and Danny Fay, Mike Benziger, and Ben Flajnik of Envolve Winery. Ben was the star of ABC’s hit-reality television dating show, “The Bachelor”. Maggie Pramuk of Robert Biale Vineyards writes the introduction to Rock and Vine.
Publisher/Author, Chelsea Prince
“There is a palpable shift in the way the next generation is thinking about wine. They are utilizing modern ways to communicate with their consumers, while creating brands focused on approachability. In this globalized world of wine, the next generation leaders in Rock and Vine are creating wines that are distinctly American, providing an opportunity for wine to be embraced into our country’s social fabric.”
President of Shafer Vineyards, Doug Shafer
“The story of Napa Valley, going back to the mid-1800s, has been of one generation after another bringing new ideas, new enthusiasm and new approaches to our vineyards and wineries. ROCK AND VINE offers an exciting, intriguing snapshot of those who may redefine the Valley all over again.”
A portion of all profits from Rock and Vine sales will benefit Wine to Water, a non-profit organization focused on providing clean water to people in need around the world. Nearly one billion people in the world today lack access to adequate water and 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation. Every 20 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease. Wine To Water is dedicated to countering the epidemic. The organization distributes water filters in Haiti, bio-sand filters in Uganda, and provides wells in Cambodia. Wine To Water has worked in Sri Lanka, South Africa, Ethiopia, Peru, India and Sudan.
