Gordon launches wine Web site, two new wines

CALISTOGA, Calif. (August 11, 2008) -- Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon announced today the latest releases in his Jeff Gordon Collection of fine wines -- a 2006 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and a 2006 Carneros Chardonnay. At the same time, a Web site dedicated solely to the wines was launched as www.jeffgordonwines.com. Gordon’s wines now are available in four varietals; and a fifth wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend, “Joie de Vivre,” available only in 1.5-liter (magnum) bottles, will be released in October. Consumers can learn about each on the site, also accessible at www.jeffgordoncollection.com. The wines have won acclaim and are made by August “Joe” Briggs, considered by his peers as one of the top winemakers in the Napa Valley. In addition to producing several varietals of his flagship August Briggs brand, Briggs serves as a consulting winemaker for several other brands. However, the Jeff Gordon Collection is the only other wine produced at Briggs’ own facility in Calistoga. “Our wines are all about quality,” Gordon said. “Even before the first grape was picked, while the project was still in the planning stages, our goal was always to produce true high-quality wines that would appeal to those who appreciate the finer things in life. “The wines are very limited in production. We will continue to make only about 250 cases of each varietal each year. We believe we have reached our goal of quality and balance by combining the talents of Joe Briggs and by sourcing grapes from some of the finest vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties.” The first wine released was a 2004 Carneros Chardonnay, followed by Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Merlot, Joie de Vivre and Pinot Noir. To round out the Collection, Gordon is considering adding a Rose of Syrah in 2009. Gordon’s wines are distributed in California, Colorado, Indiana, Nevada, New York, North Carolina and Texas. They also can be ordered off the Internet. The wines are brokered nationwide exclusively by Vintners Select Wine Company in Charlotte, N.C. (704)-561-9496.