TURNER, Ore., March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The April issue of Wine & Spirits magazine, one of the nation's leading wine consumer publications, includes their annual Restaurant Poll of the most popular Pinot Noirs -- listing Willamette Valley Vineyards (NASDAQ:WVVI) among the top Pinot Noirs in the country.
The Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir was ranked 14th in the country among all producers and fifth among Oregon Pinot Noirs. The article included quotes from restaurant wine buyers indicating a very strong customer interest in Pinot Noirs, particularly from Oregon.
"We are pleased to be in such good company. Willamette Valley Vineyards is a classic Oregon Pinot Noir -- a delicious Pinot experience that one can count on," said winery founder Jim Bernau. "The high quality and emphasis placed on protecting the environment and health is resonating with customers," Bernau explained. Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir sales were up 98% in 2005 with the national sales statistics showing Pinot Noir growing at a rate of 75%.
The editor of the poll credits the comedy movie "Sideways" as creating a tipping point for the winegrape variety Pinot Noir resulting in the biggest jump in popularity since beginning their Restaurant Poll seventeen years ago.
"All of our core offerings are on allocation as demand is far exceeding present inventories," commented Bernau. "We are now looking for more vineyard land to plant. It is important for our Oregon economy and our communities that we plant vines instead of houses on these valuable slopes." DATASOURCE: Willamette Valley Vineyards CONTACT: Shelby Zadow of Willamette Valley Vineyards, +1-503-588-9463, or Web site: http://www.wvv.com/
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