Fetzer Vineyards Donates $38,000 To Emeril Lagasse Foundation Emeril In The Harvest Sun Event At Valley Oaks Ranch Produces Results For Kids

Hopland, Calif. (March 17, 2003) � Fetzer Vineyards "Emeril In The Harvest Sun" seasonal celebration last Fall raised $38,000 for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, helping to fund educational programs directed to at risk children in the various cities where the popular Chef has restaurants.
The next edition of this colorful food and wine event is set for September 12-13, 2003 at Fetzer's Valley Oaks Ranch in Hopland, and the harvest-themed day long affair is expected to raise even more support for the Lagasse Foundation. For updated information, visit Fetzer's website at www.Fetzer.com or call toll free to 800-846-8637.
Fetzer Global Brand Director Tom Meyer presented the funds recently to Emeril Lagasse at his home base in New Orleans, and noted the close partnership of ideals and enthusiasm Fetzer shares with the chef. "We like to think of Fetzer as authentic, innovative and caring" said Meyer, "about people and our environment. We see the same values in everything that Chef Emeril does, and we're proud to be both partners and friends."
Fetzer and the Chef launched a new line of California wines, Emeril's� Classics, at last year's event. Created and blended by Emeril Lagasse and Fetzer's top winemaker, Dennis Martin, the new wines are crafted with an eye toward making consumers feel more comfortable about buying and enjoying fine wines. The food-friendly wines resulted from two years of blending trials at Fetzer's Mendocino winery.
To learn more about the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, visit the web at www.emerils.com/foundation/
Fetzer Vineyards history began in the beautiful North Coast of California, and winery has grown since its founding in 1968 by the Fetzer family to become a leader in sustainable agriculture and organic farming. Fetzer produces premium wines at several price points, including the newly launched
Five Rivers Ranch super-premium line from a new winery in Paso Robles, on California's Central Coast. Fetzer is part of the Brown-Forman Wine Group.