Sterling Vineyards Ultimate Host Is Back For Year Two

NAPA, Calif., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year, iconic Napa Valley winery Sterling Vineyards will be partnering with Padma Lakshmi in search of the Ultimate Host. After an exciting first year for the program, Padma will continue her partnership with the brand to crown the 'Sterling Ultimate Host' – the host or hostess who can tackle any occasion with ease while maintaining a flair for creativity.

Padma, model, reality TV star, cookbook author and frequent entertainer, will again serve as host and head judge for the contest, and will issue a series of four wine-themed challenges to hosts and wine lovers across the country. The first year of the search for the Ultimate Host pulled in hundreds of submissions and thousands of fans and beginning today, aspiring hosts of legal drinking age can visit the Sterling Vineyards Facebook page to enter this year's contest.

A finalist for each challenge will be selected by the expert judges and invited to New York City in December for the finale event. There, their skills will be put to the test in a head-to-head competition for the title and grand prize. The grand prize includes a trip for two to Sterling Vineyards in Napa Valley, and invitation to be a guest at the Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, and a $25,000 cash prize.

"The challenges this year will tap into our fans' creative spirit and test our hosts in different ways than ever before," said Padma Lakshmi. "Last year I was so impressed with the caliber of artistry the hosts showed during each and every challenge that I'm anticipating another year of impressive work."

The four challenges for year two include: "Girls' or Guys' Night In," "Dessert Pairings," "Music Match," and "Host's Choice." The challenges will be issued every two weeks, and fans will be asked to display in detail via video, picture and words in submissions to the Sterling Vineyards "Ultimate Host" tab on the Facebook page.

"Having the opportunity to serve as the first-ever Sterling Ultimate Host was an experience I'll never forget," said Julie Hession, year one winner of the Sterling Ultimate Host. "Sterling Vineyards' fans are an extremely talented and creative group, so I'm quite sure that Padma and the other judges will have their work cut out for them in selecting the next Ultimate Host!" 

Not only will fans see Padma on the Sterling Vineyards Facebook page, they will also see her nationally in print advertisements, billboards, in-store materials, digital banner ads and more.

A good host always knows to plan ahead to ensure that everyone has a pleasurable evening and also gets home safely. When enjoying Sterling wines, please remember to do so responsibly.

For more information and to get involved please visit www.facebook.com/SterlingVineyards.

About Sterling Vineyards
Sterling Vineyards is part of Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines (DC&E), the wines division 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, Italy, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia. Brands include: Beaulieu Vineyard, Sterling Vintner's Collection, Chalone Vineyard, Acacia Vineyard, Provenance Vineyards and Rosenblum Cellars.  DC&E is also a leading importer of Burgundy estate-bottled wines. Please enjoy our fine wines responsibly. 

About Diageo
Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

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SOURCE Sterling Vineyards