Sterling Vineyards Presents 9th Annual Sterling Silver Screen Series

NAPA, Calif., July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sterling Vineyards, the landmark Calistoga winery, announces the ninth annual Sterling Silver Screen Series®. Once again, through the generosity of NBC Universal®, the 2011 summer season of movies in the vineyards will feature classic and "neo-classic" films in a range of genres, from the Universal archives. All proceeds from the summer screenings will benefit two local non profits; the Calistoga Family Center and the St. Helena Family Centers. To date, the Sterling Silver Screen program has raised more than $120,000 for local charities.

The popular screening nights will begin on Saturday, July 30 with the 1985 neo-classic Back to the Future. Michael J. Fox races through time in a souped-up DeLorean as Marty McFly, surely the most resourceful movie teenager of the 1980's, in a funny, action packed attempt to help his parents fall in love and get himself back to the future.

Sterling Silver Screenings continue with the Marx Brothers in Monkey Business on Saturday, August 20.  Made in 1931, this classic comic favorite was the boys' first Hollywood feature and stars Groucho, Zeppo, Harpo and Chico as stowaways on an ocean liner. Hilarious antics ensue as they encounter gangsters and true love while avoiding capture by the crew.

Seabiscuit on Saturday, September 10 is the true story of the Depression era racehorse that despite his small stature and a slight limp, became an unlikely track champion and symbol of hope for a generation of Americans. Seabiscuit united his owner, trainer, jockey and an entire nation and proved that heart and tenacity can triumph against all odds.

The season concludes on Saturday, October 1 with Saboteur, a 1942 Hitchcock thriller. When sabotage destroys part of an aircraft factory, plant worker Barry Kane is accused of the crime.  In an attempt to clear his name, he sets out to track down the man he believes to be the actual saboteur. The two men confront each other in a memorable showdown atop the Statue of Liberty. A precursor to North by Northwest, and The Fugitive, the Saboteur screenplay was written by the legendary Dorothy Parker.

"The Sterling Silver Screen Series is very popular with Valley residents" said Mark Mathewson, Sterling Vineyards Visitors Center Manager. "Remarkably, we have fans that plan their summer getaways around our screening schedule. Bring your friends and family to Sterling, watch a great movie over a glass of wine and benefit two local causes".

Each screening offers wine tasting and festival seating on the Sterling Vineyard Meadow at Sterling Vineyards, 1111 Dunaweal Lane in Calistoga. All Sterling Silver Screen films are suitable for informed family viewing, however, parents are suggested to review MPAA advisories online in advance of attendance - and note that some films are not rated.

The grounds open at 7 p.m. and guests are encouraged to arrive early, dress in layers, and bring a blanket or low backed beach chairs to sit on. A pre-show of classic cartoons, followed by the feature presentation, begins at dusk. Admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children (under 16). All proceeds from tickets sales and a percentage of wine sales benefit the non-profit Stars & Vines Fund. More information is available online at www.sterlingvineyards.com, or by calling (707) 942-3322.

About NBC Universal

Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. For more information, please visit www.nbcuni.com.

About Sterling Vineyards

Sterling Vineyards is produced by Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines (DC&E), which is part of Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O); the world's leading premium drinks business. DC&E produces and markets premium wines from around the globe including Napa Valley, Sonoma, the California Central Coast, France, Italy, New Zealand and Australia.  Brands include: Beaulieu Vineyard, Sterling Vintner's Collection, Chalone Vineyard, Acacia Vineyard and Rosenblum Cellars. DC&E is also a leading importer of estate-bottled wines from Burgundy. For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.  For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com

SOURCE Sterling Vineyards