September is California Wine Month. Where Will You Be?

Raise a Glass to Harvest at More than 50 Winery Events Around the State

September is the time when California’s wine grape harvest is in full swing and the perfect time to experience the annual harvest season first hand. Visitors can experience the excitement of harvest during California Wine Month in September with more than 50 winery events and immersion experiences—from wine festivals and winemaking classes to winemaker dinners, VIP tastings and tours happening around the state.

A California Wine Month poster featuring the state’s wine regions and 138 American Viticultural Areas can be ordered at: www.discovercaliforniawines.com/californiawinemonth or by emailing communications@wineinstitute.org . (PRNewsFoto/Wine Institute)

This September marks the 12th annual California Wine Month, created by the Wine Institute to honor America’s top wine-producing state. “The celebration recognizes the contributions of vintners and growers to our state economy, culture and lifestyle,” said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, president and CEO of Wine Institute. “With an economic contribution of $57.6 billion annually to the state economy and $114.1 billion annually to the U.S. economy, California wine is an important economic engine for our state and our nation. Our scenic wine regions draw visitors worldwide to enjoy California’s great wine, cuisine and attractions.“

Here’s a complete listing by region of all the events. Visit discovercaliforniawines.com to view events by date and order a map of California wine regions and their 138 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). For great California wine and food road trip ideas click here. Event highlights include:

North Coast

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, Sept. 2-4 over Labor Day weekend has been named one of the “10 Best Wine & Food Events in the U.S.” As Sonoma County’s largest charity event, it brings together over 200 of Sonoma’s top winemakers and growers, along with a collection of the area’s best chefs. For three delicious, decadent days, guests can enjoy the Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch, as well as a wine auction, seminars, cooking demonstrations, vineyard tours and multiple winery parties.

Mendocino’s Annual Winesong Charity Auction & Tasting, Sept. 9-10 begins with a Pinot Noir Celebration on Sept. 9 with 25 wineries paired with culinary offerings, overlooking the ocean at Little River Inn. On Sept. 10, guests can stroll through the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens at the Winesong Food & Wine Tasting, enjoying regional vintages, 50 food purveyors and music groups.

Lake County Wine Auction, Sept.17 at Cache Creek Vineyards in Clearlake Oaks. Enjoy a gourmet dinner and dancing under the stars while mingling with the county’s star winemakers.

2016 Sonoma Valley Crush, Sept. 16-18, where wine lovers can get their grape on. For three days, wineries will be offering a variety of harvest activities including grape sampling in the vineyards, crush pad tours, samples of just-pressed juice and grapes picked fresh off the vine. Guests can sip wine while it’s fermenting and chat with artisan winemakers about harvest.

Calistoga Wine Experience, Sept. 10 – Napa Valley boasts many fantastic events and immersion experiences, from barn bashes and winemaker tours to harvest balls. On Sept. 10, the Calistoga Wine Experience combines all the best features of Calistoga: delicious wines, culinary offerings and a spectacular harvest setting. Guests will taste wines from more than 35 Calistoga wineries, meet the owners and winemakers, enjoy appetizers and live jazz music.

Inland Valleys

Madera Wine Trail’s California Wine Month Celebration, Sept. 16 – Head to the beautiful Madera County foothills Sept. 16 for the Madera Wine Trail’s California Wine Month Celebration. This delectable event will offer wine tasting from local wineries, food by a variety of local restaurants and live music. The Madera Vintners Association will also honor and award partners and associates that have influenced the local wine industry, the MVA and its winery members.

Lodi Grape Festival, Sept. 15-18, check out the lively Lodi Grape Festival for music, food, wine and even a circus! Sept. 16 join the festival’s Wine Cellar tasting experience where nine local wineries will be showcasing a variety of wines from floral Pinot Grigios to the region’s renowned peppery Zinfandels.

PANDORA Jewelry Opens New Store at Westfield World Trade Center

PANDORA Joins The Lineup of 125 Stores Now Open in the Financial District

PANDORA Jewelry has officially opened its new flagship store in the Westfield World Trade Center, the new indoor retail space located under the Oculus structure of the transportation hub.

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, PANDORA designs, manufactures and markets jewelry made from high-quality materials. Inspiring women to embrace their individuality and express their personal style, PANDORA’s stylish and feminine jewelry captures the unforgettable moments and personal values in life. PANDORA’s unique and detailed designs combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology are sold in more than 100 countries across six continents through approximately 8,900 points of sale, including more than 1,900 concept stores.

PANDORA Jewelry Opens New Store at Westfield World Trade Center (PRNewsFoto/PANDORA Jewelry)

The 1,109 square-foot New York City location features one-of-a-kind elements exclusive to the location, including a 368 suspended charm display showcasing PANDORA’s heritage. To celebrate the opening, the PANDORA Jewelry World Trade Center store will hold a grand opening celebration Friday, September 30– Saturday, October 1. The event will feature a variety of celebratory activities, all are welcome to join.

PANDORA Logo. (PRNewsFoto/PANDORA)

“Lower Manhattan has become a huge attraction for global tourists and New York natives,” said Laurie McDonald, General Manager, PANDORA U.S. “Given the unique location – surrounded by both iconic attractions, offices and popular Manhattan destinations – we see huge potential for this store.“

Laurie McDonald, General Manager, PANDORA Jewelry, U.S. Cuts Ribbon in Honor of PANDORA World Trade Center Grand Opening (PRNewsFoto/PANDORA Jewelry)

The new PANDORA Jewelry World Trade Center store is located at 185 Greenwich Street New York NY 10007 at South Concourse, Main Level C2. Hours of operation are Sunday 11 A.M. – 8 P.M., Monday-Saturday 10 A.M. – 9 P.M. For more information on PANDORA, visit http://www.pandora.net. Connect with PANDORA by using #PANDORAstyle and join in the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Baume & Mercier Launches Limited Edition Timepieces at McCall’s Motorworks Revival to Celebrate Shelby® Cobra Car Racing Pioneers

August 17^th marked the 25th Anniversary of McCall’s annual Motorworks Revival, which has become known as the kickoff party to the world-renowned Monterey Car Week, Drawing thousands to celebrate the finest in aviation and automotive interests.

The event also served as a platform for luxury Swiss watch brand, Baume & Mercier to introduce four limited edition chronographs that pay homage to Shelby Cobra racecar drivers who competed behind the wheel of the famous Shelby Cobra CSX2128 in the early 1960’s.

Baume & Mercier honored racecar drivers Dan Gurney (No. #15), Ken Miles (No. #50), Dave MacDonald (No. #97) and Allen Grant (No. #96) with a watch displaying their distinct racecar number as well as incorporating aesthetic elements of the Cobra 289 racecar. Only 15 of each of the four limited edition Legendary Driver Capeland Shelby(R) Cobra chronographs will be available worldwide (No. #15 shown here). For more information about Baume & Mercier, visit http://www.baume-et-mercier.com. (PRNewsFoto/Baume & Mercier)

Baume & Mercier honored racecar drivers Dan Gurney (No. #15), Ken Miles (No. #50), Dave MacDonald (No. #97) and Allen Grant (No. #96) with a watch displaying their distinct racecar number as well as incorporating aesthetic elements the Cobra 289 racecar. Only 15 of each of the four limited edition Legendary Driver Capeland Shelby® Cobra chronographs will be available worldwide. These tribute watches will retail for $4,850 and will be available in North America exclusively at Feldmar Watch Company in Los Angeles, CA and Ca D’Oro in Las Vegas, NV beginning in October 2016. Please contact the retailers directly if interested in additional information.

Baume & Mercier logo. (PRNewsFoto/Baume & Mercier)

For fans of Baume & Mercier and/or Shelby Cobra, Baume & Mercier has a full Capeland Cobra collection inspired by the legendary racecars. Visit www.baume-et-mercier.com to view current timepieces and learn more about the brand’s ongoing partnership with Shelby Cobra.

Angry Orchard Launches a New Hard Cider in Select U.S. Markets, Nationally in Fall Variety Pack

Angry Orchard Launches a New Hard Cider in Select U.S. Markets, Nationally in Fall Variety Pack

Angry Orchard has announced the introduction of Easy Apple, the newest less sweet, easy-drinking cider. Easy Apple offers drinkers a refreshing hard cider option in the Angry Orchard core collection that’s both lower in calories and sessionable***. The cider will be introduced in 6-packs in select states beginning in August 2016, including: Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Arkansas and Rhode Island. Easy Apple will also be available nationwide in the Angry Orchard Fall Orchard Sampler Variety Pack.

Angry Orchard introduces Easy Apple hard cider: less sweet, madly refreshing. (PRNewsFoto/Angry Orchard)

Easy Apple (4.2% ABV) is crafted with a blend of culinary apples including Braeburn, Fuji, Gala and Granny Smith, and bittersweet apples like Bisquet, Dabinett, Frequin Rouge and Harry Masters Jersey. This less sweet, easy-to-drink hard cider is apple-forward in taste and unfiltered, leaving it with a slightly hazy appearance and a refreshingly dry finish.

With Easy Apple, drinkers will experience a hard cider that not only invokes references to traditional English dry ciders but also delivers a balanced flavor profile that will appeal to a wide range of drinkers, whether they’re fans of popular ciders like Angry Orchard’s flagship, Crisp Apple, or looking for a new easy-drinking alcoholic beverage to try. Easy Apple is less sweet, sessionable and refreshing, while delivering on the complexity of higher ABV ciders in terms of body and mouthfeel.

The hard cider industry has seen explosive growth over the past several years, as drinkers are embracing it as a refreshing, gluten free alternative to craft beer and wine. Cider has a long history in our country, dating back to colonial times, and it’s only recently we’re seeing people rediscovering it in droves. For more than 20 years, the cider makers at Angry Orchard have been experimenting with high quality ingredients and different techniques to help drinkers learn more about the American cider tradition.

Angry Orchard Easy Apple will be available in 6-packs in select markets starting in August 2016 for a suggested retail price of $8.99 – $9.99 (price varies per market). Easy Apple will also be available nationwide as part of the Fall Orchard Sampler, Angry Orchard’s seasonal variety pack 12-pack, beginning in August 2016.

(***The characteristic of an alcoholic drink (usually a pint of beer) which is suitable for a lengthy drinking session. Usually refering to beer with an ABV between 3.5 and 4 %. Used when a non-pajoritive word is required for a weak beer. – Urban Dictionary)