SYRAH SYMPOSIUM EXPANDS WITH SECOND ANNUAL EVENT

Santa Ynez, CA, March 3, 2008 – The Second Annual Syrah Symposium, set for April 21-22, has announced expanded participation and an enhanced format for 2008.

David Hopkins, winemaker for Symposium co-founder Bridlewood Estate Winery, says, "We ran out of room last year way before we ran out of interest, so this year we put a few more chairs at the table for both guests and wineries."

This year seven wineries who are serious about Syrah will be presenting their wines, including one from Napa County and one from Washington State. Participating wineries are: Bridlewood Estate Winery (Santa Ynez), Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards (Los Olivos), Beckman Vineyards (Los Olivos), Stolpman Vineyards (Lompoc), Spencer Roloson Winery (St. Helena),Terre Rouge (Fiddletown, CA) and Waterbrook Winery (Walla Walla, WA).

In addition, the 2008 Syrah Symposium will be hosted by Joe Spellman, MS, Chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers, American Chapter. "There is a lot to talk about this year," Hopkins says, "and we thought Joe Spellman could keep us on track and give us a more global perspective." Spellman will kick off the Symposium with a "State of the Grape" presentation highlighting recent developments in Syrah around the world.

Zaca Mesa winery will host the first seminar of the Symposium, "The Clonal Component." Winemakers will present components and finished wines to demonstrate how particular Syrah clones contribute to their final blends. The Symposium moves to Bridlewood in the afternoon for a discussion titled "Touting Terroir", in which the winemakers will again present components and finished wines and talk about how "the sense of place" helps shape their wines.

As in its first year, participation in the Syrah Symposium is by invitation only, with sommeliers and wine buyers traveling from around the country to attend.

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