The world famous Napa Valley has been named the official wine region of the (San Francisco 2013) 34th America’s Cup.
It was announced this week that as a result of a partnership between the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) and the Napa Valley Destination Council (NVDC), America’s Cup events in the United States through 2013 will exclusively feature Napa Valley wines. Plus, the Napa Valley will be the only wine region featured as a getaway destination for attendees of San Francisco-based America’s Cup events.
It is difficult to think of the Napa Valley without thinking of the Sonoma Valley. Having lived and worked in both, let me say right off that my bias is toward less touristy Sonoma — which has the Russian River Valley and an assortment of great little towns like Geyserville.
The Sonoma Valley also has the advantage of being closer to the coast and on route to the attractions of Mendocino and Fort Bragg.
Back to Napa, “The America’s Cup is a fantastic way to showcase the wines of Napa Valley,” said the Valley Vintners Executive Director Linda Reiff.
The Napa Valley is known for its wine, food, arts and wellness activities including spas and mud baths. It is also home to the founders of America’s wine industry. See the 2008 movie Bottle Shock for a potted picture of how the valley first stepped onto the world wine stage.
Over the next two years, Napa Valley wines will be poured and tourism to the region will be promoted. The promo kicked off with the America’s Cup World Series event, now on in San Diego. It will continue during the AC World Series Newport and San Francisco events in 2012, and in San Francisco during the 2013 Louis Vuitton Cup — the America’s Cup Challenger Series — and America’s Cup Finals.
“The 34th America’s Cup is focused on creating a one-of-a-kind experience for every fan, so we look forward to showcasing the bounty that the Napa Valley has to offer to our guests,” said Craig Thompson, CEO of the America’s Cup Event Authority.
About:
The 160-year-old America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport. The America’s Cup has evolved into one of the world's leading sporting competitions featuring the best sailors on the world’s fastest boats, the wing-sailed AC45 and AC72 catamarans. The new America's Cup World Series opened its inaugural season in August 2011 and continues with events around the world. In the summer of 2013, the 34th America's Cup begins with the Louis Vuitton Cup July 4 — September 1, followed by the America's Cup Finals September 7 — 22.
The Napa Valley Vintners is the non-profit trade association responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley appellation as the premier winegrowing region. Founded in 1944, the association today represents more than 420 Napa Valley wineries.
The Napa Valley Destination Council is the official tourism marketing organization for the Napa Valley with a mission to promote, protect and enhance the region’s position as the world’s premier wine, food, arts and wellness capital. Napa Valley restaurants were awarded 14 Michelin Stars in the 2012 guide.
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