New Foggy Bridge Wine Cruise Showcases the Wide Diversity of California Wines

Business Wire,  August 9, 2007  

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SAN FRANCISCO -- The Foggy Bridge Wine Cruise sets sail on its maiden voyage on September 7, 2007. Held aboard the historic USS Potomac, the cruise caters to connoisseurs of fine wine and dining and will feature wines from many of the best grape-growing regions throughout California. Profits from the cruise will be donated to The Association for the Preservation of the Presidential Yacht Potomac. The cruises depart from Pier E at the San Francisco Ferry Building. Tickets are available at www.foggybridgewinecruise.com.

In the first of a series of cruises, fine wines from the Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Livermore valleys and the Central Coast will be showcased. The wines will be served with foods that accentuate the flavor pairings. The initial cruise schedule is for Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday brunches, which will be held on most weekends between September 7 and November 25. Additional cruises will be scheduled as the demand increases.

"Many people still believe that the finest California wines all come from Napa Valley," says John Kontrabecki, president of Foggy Bridge Wine Cruise. "A big part of what makes California wines so special is the many microclimates and terroir in our state that contribute to such a wide and diversity of wine types."

Passengers will leave the ship with a richer appreciation of which wines to select from particular regions to best complement different foods. Renowned winemaker Daryl Groom will be on board for the inaugural cruise to explain the particulars of each wine and its food pairing, and to answer passenger questions, along with other guest winemakers from the represented vineyards. Guests will be provided with written information that describes key characteristics of wines from the different regions and the types of meals that best accompany them, and can apply this knowledge to meals and entertaining of their own. Darryl will be making the wine selections for all subsequent cruises.

There will be three pairing stations on board serving 10 different dishes created by French restaurant Left Bank www.leftbank.com especially for the cruise. Dishes will be paired with "wine flights", two ounce servings of three different reds, three whites and three dessert wines, so passengers will be given the opportunity to sample nine different wines (tasting is unlimited). All of this will be enjoyed against a backdrop of the stunning scenery of the San Francisco Bay while aboard the USS Potomac, the former presidential yacht of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

The Foggy Bridge Wine Cruise is the vision of San Franciscan John Kontrabecki, an international businessman and vineyard owner. With a love of fine wine, great food, and history, John saw a need for a luxurious and educational wine and culinary experience. "There's nothing else like it on the Bay," says John. "The only thing better would be having your own yacht, with your own wine expert and chef aboard."

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE

To schedule an interview with Foggy Bridge's President John Kontrabecki or wine expert Darryl Groom, please contact Dave Dunn of e-agency at (510) 750-5847.

For additional information, or photos of Darryl Groom and the Potomac, scanned at 300 dpi, specifically for print publication, please visit www.foggybridgewinecruise.com or http://www.GiveMeMore.com.

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