Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Invites Guests to be "Winemaker for a Night"

Fleming's to Partner with Napa Valley's Award-Winning Raymond Vineyards for A Unique Wine Blending Event

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Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Oct 12, 2012, 09:00 ET

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Oct. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will celebrate the centuries-old art of wine blending with a unique event to be held at all 64 restaurant locations during the month of October. "Winemaker for a Night" will offer Fleming's guests an opportunity to create their own personally blended wines using premium varietals from Raymond Vineyards, the award-winning winery located in Rutherford, Napa Valley.

The event includes wine blending instruction and activities as well as generous food selections from Fleming's Small Plates and Bar la Carte Menus served throughout the evening. "Winemaker for a Night" will take place on three different dates – Tuesday, October 16th, Friday, October 19th, or Friday, October 26th – depending on restaurant location. Event dates and reservations are available by calling any Fleming's restaurant. For a list of locations, please visit FlemingsSteakhouse.com. It is priced at $65* per guest.

"Winemaker for a Night" will be a relaxed and entertaining event with no special wine knowledge required and a lively program of activities including:

An exclusive video introduction to blending from Jean-Charles Boisset, Proprietor of Boisset Family Estates, the dynamic wine world visionary behind the transformation of Raymond Vineyards, and Stephanie Putnam, Raymond's Winemaker.

A rare tasting of barrel samples of three single varietals by Raymond Vineyards: Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, California Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 and Napa Valley Merlot 2011.

A hands-on blending session using Raymond Vineyards varietals, with personal coaching from the Wine Manager at each Fleming's location.

Wine blends have never been more popular and for good reason – it allows winemakers to create layers of flavors and aromas that make the sum greater than its parts. "Blending is the most important and creative action that any winemaker engages in, and for me it's the most exciting part of the winemaking process," said Maeve Pesquera, Fleming's Director of Wine. "Our "Winemaker for a Night" event will allow our guests to experience first hand the choices and outcomes that a winemaker encounters when blending a wine from different grape varietals and vineyard sources."

* Excluding tax and gratuity.

About Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Nationally acclaimed Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers the best in steakhouse dining – Prime meats and chops, fresh fish and poultry, generous salads and side orders — with a unique wine list known as the Fleming's 100,® which features over 100 wines served by the glass. Fleming's was launched in Newport Beach, California, in 1998 by successful restaurant industry veterans Paul Fleming and Bill Allen. Today there are 64 restaurants nationwide. Fleming's is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including Wine Enthusiast's annual Award of Distinction and Wine Spectator's annual Award of Excellence. For more information about Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and the Fleming's 100, please visit FlemingsSteakhouse.com.

About Raymond Vineyards and Jean-Charles Boisset

Established in 1974 by fourth-generation winemaking brothers Roy, Jr. and Walter Raymond, together with their father Roy, Sr., Raymond Vineyards exemplifies the finest in Napa Valley wineries. The 90-acre estate straddling Rutherford and St. Helena in the heart of the Napa Valley is one of Napa's pioneering wine estates, and is now owned by Boisset Family Estates and has become one of the wine world's most dynamic destinations. Blending phenomenal wines with guest experiences that unite education, passion and entertainment, it offers diverse opportunities to explore wine, including the "Winemaker for a Day" Blending Room that inspired the Fleming's collaboration. The winery was named Sunset Magazine's "Best Tasting Room – Experience Beyond Tasting" in October 2011. Jean-Charles Boisset, president of Boisset Family Estates, is regarded as one of the most influential people in the world of wine. To learn more, visit www.raymondvineyards.com.

SOURCE Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar