Home Industry News Releases Wente Family to Be Honored at This Year’s International Chardonnay Symposium

Wente Family to Be Honored at This Year’s International Chardonnay Symposium

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Known as “California’s First Family of Chardonnay,” the family behind Wente Family Estates will be given the Symposium’s inaugural Legendary Family of Chardonnay Award

International Chardonnay 2016 920March 29, 2016 (Pismo Beach, CA) –The world’s foremost gathering of Chardonnay producers, sommeliers, media, industry leaders, and wine enthusiasts, The International Chardonnay Symposium is proud to announce it is bestowing its first ever Legendary Family of Chardonnay Award to Wente Family Estates at the Symposium May 12-14.

The Wente family story began in 1883 when first generation C.H Wente planted 47 acres in the Livermore Valley which quickly grew to 200 acres before Prohibition. His sons, Ernest and Herman, took over the family business after prohibition and developed the Wente Chardonnay clone which transformed California’s wine landscape and put Chardonnay on the worldwide map.  Today, 80% of Chardonnay grown in California is derived from the Wente clone, making it the most widely planted in the state. Also, Chardonnay has been the number one selling varietal wine in the country for years.

“The Wente family’s contributions to the world of Chardonnay are unmatched,” says Linda Parker Sanpei, the International Chardonnay Symposium’s executive director. “The fact that California Chardonnay has long been a favorite all over the world is, in no small part, due to the ingenuity and dedication of generations of Wentes. They are truly deserving of the title, ‘California’s First Family of Chardonnay.’”

In addition to their groundbreaking work with Chardonnay clones, this year the Wente family celebrates the 80th anniversary of bottling the nation’s first varietally-labeled Chardonnay, a 1936 vintage. The family has helped advance the wine world in countless other ways from helping to create The Wine Institute, to leading the industry in sustainability with their innovative Farming for the Future program. In addition, Wente Family Estates continues to release top-scoring and award-winning wines from their vineyards in Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations.

“On behalf of my family, I am truly honored to accept this distinguished award,” says Carolyn Wente, Chief Executive Officer and Fourth Generation Winegrower.  “I know my great grandfather would be proud we are continuing the same global vision of wine quality and integrity that he helped establish more than 133 years ago. And with hard work and dedication, my family promises to strive to be the best and continue to earn respect from our peers and our consumers for many generations to come.”

The Wentes will be awarded the Legendary Family of Chardonnay Award at the La Paulée Dinner and Awards Ceremony, Friday, May 13 from 7 PM – 10 PM at Greengate Ranch & Vineyard.

The Symposium is also hosting a panel titled, Wente Clone Comparative Tasting – An exploration of one of the most widely planted and revered clones throughout the western United States.

The Wente Clone panel is one of many events held throughout the four-day Symposium.

Other events include the La Paulée Dinner and Awards Ceremony, a Vintners’ Wine Tech Symposium, and a Sommelier Chardonnay Challenge and the Grand Tasting. There will be a series of other panel discussions, as well, and include:

  • A Wente Clone Comparative Tasting – An exploration of one of the most widely planted and revered clones throughout the western United States.
  • French Forum: Exploring France’s Chardonnay Regions – A guided tasting tour of the top Chardonnay producing regions in France from Chablis to Champagne.
  • What’s Oak Got to Do With It? – An engaging discussion and debate about varying oak regimens, as well as concrete and stainless steel fermentation, and their effect on flavors and textures of Chardonnay.
  • Pairing Chardonnay With Artisanal Cheese – A world-class tasting of thoughtfully paired artisanal cheese with acclaimed Chardonnay from top wine producers.
  • Taste the Difference: Exploring Chardonnay’s Top Regions – A closer look at how climate, soil and elevation influence each of these five world-class regions and how to determine the origin by simply nosing and tasting the wine.
  • Hone Your Blind-Tasting Skills – Using notes from perfumes and other sources, you’ll explore—and be able to identify—the vast and surprising expressions found among the best Chardonnay ever produced.

To purchase tickets to all of the events please visit TheChardonnaySymposium.com. Book your stay at any Avila Beach, Pismo Beach or Highway 1 Discovery Route hotel and receive a discount on tickets to the International Chardonnay Symposium.

About The International Chardonnay Symposium

The International Chardonnay Symposium attracts winemakers, sommeliers, media, trade, foodies, wine enthusiasts and tastemakers from across the globe to enjoy and study the world’s favorite grape. When the discussion ends, there’s plenty of time for exploring nearby Central Coast wineries as well as the hosting seaside resort towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach that offer downtown winetasting rooms, pristine beaches, surfing and kayaking, hiking and biking trails, farm-to-table and seaport-inspired cuisine, boutique shopping, and more. The International Chardonnay Symposium is sponsored by The Tasting Panel Magazine, The SOMM Journal, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Touring & Tasting, Greengate Ranch & Vineyard, Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau, Avila Beach Tourism Alliance, and the California Highway 1 Discovery Route.

About Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, & Highway 1 Discovery Route of SLO County

San Luis Obispo County’s Pismo Beach, Avila Beach and the Highway 1 Discovery Route destination towns are located on California’s famous Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. With miles of pristine Pacific coastline, enjoy great weather, a plethora of outdoor activities, rich wild life and nature preserves, downtown wine tasting rooms, and the neighboring world class wine producing regions of the Edna Valley, Avila Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley, Santa Maria Valley and Paso Robles. For information on the wide variety of lodging choices, accommodating every budget and lifestyle, visit Classiccalifornia.com, VisitAvilaBeach.com and Highway1DiscoveryRoute.com.

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