Raise Your Glass to Earth Day

HEALDSBURG, Calif., April 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The first-ever "Coast to Coast Toast to Earth Day" will take place on April 20, 2011. Co-hosted by Frei Brothers Reserve's Sonoma-based chief viticulturist Jim Collins, and leading online wine community Snooth.com's New York-based editor Gregory dal Piaz, the virtual wine tasting will educate and celebrate those who enjoy high-quality wine and do their part to preserve natural resources.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110408/CG80092)

"We believe better choices and better wine go hand-in-hand, today and for generations to come," says Collins.

This is the first time Snooth will feature a viticulturist in its monthly virtual wine tasting series.

Collins leads a team of farmers and works hand-in-hand with winemakers to practice sustainable farming and winemaking and to help realize exceptional quality and authentic flavors in the wine. Frei Brothers Reserve expresses the best of Sonoma County's sub-AVA's, including the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley.

"Good wine begins with good growing conditions," says dal Piaz. "The right climate and landscape are crucial factors when it comes to producing premium wines, and California's Sonoma County has these ideal conditions. We are thrilled to have a world-class winegrower featured in our series to discuss the important choices he makes in the vineyard every day to produce Frei Brothers Reserve's exceptional wines."

During the tasting, participants can post live questions and comments for Collins—from personal tasting notes to feedback and discussions about Frei Brothers Reserve's winegrowing practices. The event will also include:

• Tasting flight featuring four Frei Brothers Reserve wines
• A video tour and behind-the-scenes footage of Sonoma County's picturesque Frei Ranch
• Day-in-the-life description of a viticulturist who actually lives at the vineyard
• An official toast to Earth Day!

The "Coast to Coast Toast to Earth Day" will take place at 6 p.m. PDT on April 20 and the public will be able to watch live via Snooth's virtual wine tastings page at www.snooth.com/virtual-tasting. The one-hour chat will feature dal Piaz in New York City and Collins at Frei Ranch in Healdsburg, Calif., and will highlight four of the winery's newest vintages:

• 2009 Frei Brothers Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• 2007 Frei Brothers Reserve Dry Creek Valley Merlot
• 2009 Frei Brothers Reserve Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc
• 2009 Frei Brothers Reserve Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Frei Brothers Reserve crafts six critically acclaimed wines that are available nationwide and retail from $17 to $27.  An exclusive tasting package featuring the four wines that will be tasted during the "Coast to Coast Toast to Earth Day" is available for a limited time at www.thebarrelroom.com.  Visit www.freibrothers.com for more information.

About Frei Brothers Reserve: Frei Brothers Reserve was established in 1890 in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley by Swiss immigrant Andrew Frei.  Family owned since 1890, Frei Ranch and the winery played an integral part in establishing the region's premier reputation for winemaking and continues to produce exceptional wines today by carrying on the rich legacy of both our home vineyard and Sonoma's celebrated growing regions —Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley.  Earth-friendly farmers and winemakers for more than 30 years, we believe in preserving natural resources without compromising the quality of our wine.  Frei Brothers Reserve is certified participant of  the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. Frei Brothers has also received the International Standards Organization's ISO 14001 certification which was created to assist companies to reduce their impacts on the environment.  For more information, please visit www.freibrothers.com

About Snooth Media: Snooth Media produces epicurean lifestyle properties that combine innovative technology, strong social elements, and quality editorial content. With a reach of more than ten million monthly visitors, Snooth Media includes Snooth (www.snooth.com), the world's largest wine site; The Spirit (www.thespir.it), a comprehensive cocktail destination; What's Cookin' (www.whatscook.in), a site dedicated to culinary findings and tips; and the Snooth Media Connection, which includes the reach of our distributed content platform. Snooth Media is headquartered in New York City.

SOURCE Frei Brothers Reserve