Attention Artists: The Capital Grille Now Accepting Submissions for 2012 Wine Label Design Competition

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Capital Grille announced it is now accepting artwork submissions for its fourth-annual Artist Series Wine Label Design Competition. Through October 19, 2012, aspiring and established artists nationwide, aged 21 years or older, are invited to submit original artwork that will be considered for the label of a limited-allocation wine served exclusively at The Capital Grille, whose award-winning wine program is routinely recognized by Wine Spectator magazine. In addition to having his or her artwork adorn the bottles of this year's featured vintage, the winning artist also will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the wine country of California's Napa Valley.

This unique competition sponsored by The Capital Grille celebrates the art of the wine label.  For centuries, wine-label design was about as basic and austere as a shipping label. That changed in 1940 when Baron Phillippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild began enlisting famous artists, including Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso, to craft a masterpiece for the outside of the bottle that would beautifully convey the work of art inside. 

The bottled inspiration for the 2012 Artist Series competition is a 2009 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon, blended by winemaker Heidi von der Mehden from Arrowood Winery and George Miliotes, The Capital Grille's own Master Sommelier. Intensely purple in color, this wine presents aromas of ripe, dark fruits that are matched on the palate with notes of blackberry, plum and blueberry. Mehden and Miliotes describe this exceptional wine as "a natural beauty," imparting layers of flavor that begin with a deep intensity and end with a soft, rich finish.

"This competition combines two complementary cultural passions: fine wine and fine art," said Miliotes. "While my expertise focuses on what's inside the bottle, I love that this competition is as much about the palette as it is the palate."

Only 1,000 cases of the Arrowood Cabernet will be produced for this year's Artist Series event, which will take place next spring in all 47 locations of The Capital Grille nationwide. The restaurants will donate a portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold to Share Our Strength in support of its mission to end childhood hunger in America. To date, The Capital Grille has raised more than $1,000,000 on behalf of the organization.

How to Enter
To enter, use the medium of your choice to create an original piece of art that captures the essence of this exclusive, world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Entries should be original artwork and will be accepted through October 19, 2012. Entries will be accepted via mail or email. To enter, visit http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/enter/ for contest rules and details.

About Arrowood Vineyards & Heidi von der Mehden
Arrowood Vineyards makes extraordinary small-lot varietals and vineyard designates. It is the dream child of Richard Arrowood, an iconic winemaster who has been making wine in Sonoma County, CA, for more than 45 years and helped make the area the legendary wine region that it is today. He first became famous for producing Chateau St Jean "Robert Young" Chardonnay, the first famous single vineyard Chardonnay in California.  Shortly after, he realized his dream to have his own winery where he could make his own wines to great critical acclaim.  When he retired, he sold the wine to Majestic Fine Wines and apprenticed Heidi von der Mehden as his successor. An intuitive and talented winemaker, Heidi has filled Arrowood's shoes with ease and can claim this year's Artist Series wine, her second vintage, as her own. 

About The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille (www.TheCapitalGrille.com) owns and operates 47 locations nationwide. The restaurant is known for its dry-aged steaks, award-winning wine list and professional service in an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. Routinely recognized by Wine Spectator magazine and receiving other top accolades, The Capital Grille has received the American Culinary Federation's "Achievement of Excellence" Award and was voted a guest favorite on Open Table's "Best American Cuisine Winners - Top 50 Restaurant List," with 10 locations filling out the List's coveted 50 spots. 

The Capital Grille offers more than 350 New and Old World wine selections, including a Captain's List of some of the world's most highly allocated and sought-after wines. The restaurant also offers a variety of elegant private dining spaces for meetings and group events

Please visit The Capital Grille on Facebook and follow George Miliotes on Twitter @CapitalGrille.

SOURCE The Capital Grille