FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDULGE IN YAKIMA VALLEY'S RED WINE & CHOLOCATE

Wine Yakima Valley Event Weekend Kicks-Off 2012 Wine Event Series

YAKIMA, WASH—(Dec. 19)—Yakima Valley is inviting wine and chocolate enthusiasts to its annual Red Wine & Chocolate event weekend Feb. 18-19. As the oldest wine growing region in Washington state, wineries from Yakima, Zillah, Prosser and Red Mountain will be offering a weekend of divine decadence with the Premier Pass for $30, the only way to experience the depth of the Yakima Valley during Red Wine & Chocolate weekend.

The growing popularity of red wine and chocolate pairings has been a northwest tradition in Yakima Valley for years. Red Wine & Chocolate weekend presents wines from premier and boutique wineries with gourmet chocolates, hors d'oeuvres and memorable weekend experiences. The winemaking experts of the Yakima Valley know their wines intimately and have been thinking of the perfect pairings since the grapes were first crushed.

Pass holders will receive access to exclusive pairings, library tastings and tours not available to the public. The pairings continue as the wines featured are available to take home for deep discounts for Premier Pass holders. The $30 Red Wine & Chocolate Premier Passes can be purchased in advance by February 10 at www.wineyakimavalley.org, or for $35 at wineries during the event weekend.

Leaning on the experts, Yakima Valley wineries recommend the following pairing techniques:

·         Let it melt — Taste the chocolate and allow it to melt on your tongue just prior to sipping wine.

·         Tannins don't mix — Avoid wines and chocolates that are overly tannic in nature, which compete with each other and result in a muddled and flat combination.

·         Salted combinations — Buttery or sweet whites pair exceptionally well with salted milk chocolate.

·         Savory and smooth — Wines with savory notes, such as smoke, wood or meaty qualities, are outstanding when paired with chocolate with a smooth texture and similar savory notes, such as leather, cheese or smoke.

·         Bold similarities — Bold, full-bodied wines pair very well with chocolates that are hearty and rustic in texture with a similarly pronounced flavor.

·         Two of a kind — Wines or chocolate with similarly distinct notes, such as black pepper, can be mutually enhanced when paired together.

·         Beginners luck — The easiest method for a successful pairing is to select chocolates that contain berries, dried fruit or nuts.

2012 Annual Premier Passes

Red Wine & Chocolate weekend kicks-off the 2012 series of wine focused events in the Yakima Valley. Spring Barrel Tasting (April 2012) and Catch the Crush (October 2012) are included in the 2012 Annual Premier Pass, which will grant pass holders special wine discounts, exclusive tastings, tours, and other specially accessed wine focused events and promotions during the three event weekends. The 2012 Annual Premier Pass is only $92 prior to January 2 and presents a twenty percent savings over purchasing the passes individually. For more information and to purchase the Annual Premier Passes, visit Wine Yakima Valley's website at www.wineyakimavalley.org.

About Wine Yakima Valley

Wine Yakima Valley is a member organization of wineries and wine grape growers whose mission is to strengthen awareness of and attract wine enthusiasts to Yakima Valley's Wine Country. Located in South Central Washington, the Yakima Valley is a scenic and leisurely 150 mile drive from Seattle, Spokane or Portland. The valley is the largest, oldest and most diverse wine region in Washington, producing nearly half of Washington State's wine. Located on the same parallel as the famous Bordeaux region of France, the Yakima Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) provides a nearly perfect location to grow grapes. Learn more at http://wineyakimavalley.org/.

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