Landmark Napa Winery Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Groovy '60s Party
CALISTOGA, Calif., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Nixon took office, Led Zeppelin I and Easy Rider were released, Neil Armstrong took the first steps on the moon, Woodstock changed the face of music, Sesame Street debuted and Sterling Vineyards was born. It was 1969, can you dig it?
To celebrate its birthday, Sterling Vineyards is inviting guests to take the Sterling Vineyards aerial tram back to the '60s for a one-night-only groovy evening celebrating the winery's 40 years of trendsetting winemaking.
It was 40 years ago that English paper broker Peter Newton purchased 70 acres of land in Calistoga and became a Napa Valley winemaker. Newton planted grapes others did not, bottled varietals others did not and built a dramatic hilltop winery with an aerial tramway. His innovations put Sterling Vineyards into the public eye and helped establish the Napa Valley as a premier travel destination.
"Forty years ago, Sterling Vineyards emerged when exploration was a gas. Over the years Sterling Vineyards has been a Napa Valley trendsetter - embracing unique varietals and continually finding innovative ways for visitors to learn about and enjoy wines," said Mike Westrick, Vice President of Winemaking for Sterling Vineyards. "As I dust off my tie-dye and peace signs for our outta sight anniversary celebration, I look forward to taking Sterling Vineyards to new heights in the future."
Celebrating the Summer of '69
On Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm, guests at Sterling Vineyards will enjoy far out food and wine, 1969 memorabilia and live 60's-style musical entertainment throughout the winery. Tie-dyed T-shirts, head bands and sandals optional!
Tickets bought in advance are $69 per person for the general public, $79 at the door; Sterling Cellar Club members $59 in advance, $69 at the door; and Sterling Platinum Club members $55 in advance, $65 at the door.
Tickets are available for purchase on-line at www.sterlingvineyards.com or for more information call 1-800-726-6136
Sterling Vineyards Timeline
1969 First harvest at Sterling Vineyards including the first Sterling Vineyards vintage-dated Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot are produced. This was one of the first vintage-dated bottling of Merlot in the United States.
1969 Martin Waterfield, an officer of Newton's company, designs a starkly beautiful, Mediterranean-style, white stucco winery complex, inspired by the structures on the Greek island of Mykonos.
1972 First harvest at new hilltop winery. Construction of the legendary Sterling Vineyards aerial tram begins.
