The Culinary Institute of America

Contact:

Cate Conniff
Marketing Manager
707-967-2303
c_connif@culinary.edu

St. Helena, CA, April 2, 2009 – The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone, located in the heart of the Napa Valley, today opened its Vintners Hall of Fame to the general public for the first time.

The Vintners Hall of Fame celebrates the men and women whose collective vision, determination, and hard work have been responsible for the growth and worldwide prestige of the California wine industry. Bronze sculptures of the inductees—crafted by renowned artist Lawrence Newlan—are displayed on the historic 2,200-gallon redwood wine barrels in the former Christian Brothers' Barrel Room. Plaques provide rich biographies of the inductees, giving testament to their unique accomplishments and roles in making California one of the most legendary places in the world for fine wine.

The CIA's Vintners Hall of Fame also displays "A History of California Wine: The David and Judy Breitstein Collection." This is the first major educational exhibit to document the rich history of California wine as told through rare bottles and their accompanying informational placards. Meticulously curated by Karen MacNeil, chair of the CIA's Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies, the Breitstein Collection will display some 40 of the 150 historic bottles in the collection at any one time.

"For every wine lover, whether novice or aficionado, a visit to the Vintners Hall of Fame provides an engaging view of the leaders who have cultivated California to be the successful and dynamic wine region that it is today," notes Dr. Tim Ryan, CIA president. "From early 19th-century pioneers to the most noted contemporary winemakers, the Vintners Hall of Fame chronicles the extraordinary accomplishments of the California wine experience."

The Vintners Hall of Fame will be open to the public daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (subject to change). Admission is free. Other activities open to the public on the Greystone campus include the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, Spice Islands Marketplace for all things culinary, cooking demonstrations, and classes for food and wine enthusiasts. For more information, please visit www.ciachef.edu/california. The Culinary Institute of America is located at 2555 Main Street, St. Helena, CA. The main number is 707-967-1100.

To view the gallery of Vintners Hall of Fame inductees, please visit www.ciavintnershalloffame.com.

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Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent, not-for-profit college offering bachelor's and associate degrees, as well as certificate programs, in either culinary arts or baking and pastry arts. As the world's premier culinary college, the CIA has a network of more than 37,000 alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Michael Chiarello, Cat Cora, Steve Ells, Todd English, Duff Goldman, Sara Moulton, Charlie Palmer, and Roy Yamaguchi. The college has campuses in New York (Hyde Park), California (The CIA at Greystone, St. Helena), and Texas (San Antonio). In addition to its degree programs, the CIA offers courses for professionals and food enthusiasts, as well as wine education.

For more information, and a complete listing of program offerings at each site, visit the CIA online at www.ciachef.edu.

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