** POSTPONED Until April 20, 2013, due to inclement weather **

“As pleased as we are with the over 500 in attendance, and the momentum surrounding our event, we must put our guests’ safety first. Regrettably, we have decided to postpone our festival to Saturday, April 20th, 2013.  The ground is deeply saturated from the recent storm, which is predicted to continue for the next couple of days including the day of the event.  These conditions pose too great a risk for our guests and make the much anticipated Vineyard Hike next to impossible,” declared Robert Reyes, winemaker and organizer of this year’s inaugural event.  “We want to make sure that everyone has the greatest time possible, we want to give them an enjoyable and memorable experience.  We will look forward to seeing everyone in April.  I am certain we will have some very special additions to announce in our exciting lineup of activities.”

The first-ever Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival is slated for Saturday, Jan. 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Reyes Winery just 45 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.  The festival will celebrate the recently established AVA, The Sierra Pelona Valley Appellation. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.  The Sierra Pelona Valley appellation is Los Angeles’ County most recently established and fastest growing wine country destination.

“I would love to see at least 20 vineyards along Sierra Highway for a new wine trail in the next 5 years,” Barry Goldfarb says optimistically, owner of Agua Dulce Winery and Oreana Winery.

Today, festival organizers announced a partial list of wineries that will be joining Reyes Winery to pour at the event.  Among them are:  Agua Dulce Winery, Alonso Family Vineyards, Antelope Valley Winery, Bouquet Vineyard, Caruce Vineyards, Chavez Vineyards, Copper Hill Brewery, Donna Harris Wine Biz, Steve Hemmert Vineyards, High Desert Cellars, Naked Rebel Winery, Oreana Winery, Pulchela Winery, and Winehouse Vineyards.

Guests will be treated to gourmet food pairings from highly acclaimed Los Angeles area chefs and artisanal food makers such as Le Chene French Cuisine, Cheers At All Corked Up, The Whole Wheatery, Natcheryl Organic Cafe, Roman Holiday, Truffles n Toffee, Naked Juice, California Bakery, and Lindquist Chocolates. There will also be music; an open-air bazaar with area artists; a gift boutique; and an expansive silent auction.  Silent Auction items will include Wine and Dine gift certificates; and a variety of other wines, gift packages, and certificates from other sponsors. The event sponsors include Galpin Motors, Union Bank of California, Southern California Edison, Golf Cars LA, Robinson Ranch, All American Container, Power Media Group, Adam and Al Gottfried of Tee It Up Radio Network INC, Santa Clarita Valley TV, The Whole Wheatery, Country Journal, Mail America, Bennett’s Honey,  Steve’s Valencia Florist, Agua Dulce Hardware and Antelope Valley Winery.

General admission event passes will include a commemorative tasting glass; specialty gift bag; a “ticketless” wine tasting; gourmet fancy food sampling; and free parking. Prepaid general admission tickets are $65 and $750 at the door.

Exclusive V.I.P. Access Event Passes will include early entrance at 11 a.m., private winery tour with barrel tastings, V.I.P. lounge reserve wine tasting paired with gourmet lunch; plus all general admission ticket benefits. Only a limited amount of V.I.P tickets will be available online at $90.00 until January 20. After January 20, V.I.P. passes will return to their original price of $100.00.

To reserve tickets and for more information on the First Annual Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival, please visit reyeswinery.com/spv-winefestival.

About the Sierra Pelona Valley Viticultural Area of California

Nestled in the Sierra Pelona Mountains of the Southern California, just 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles lays California’s newest American Viticultural Area. The untouched natural beauty provides the perfect environment for burgeoning vineyards, boutique wineries and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy a day of discovery and relaxation exploring the areas many fine wineries and tasting rooms. For information on how to make the most of your time in Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Country, join the Sierra Pelona Valley Vintners on Facebook.

Update 1/17/2013

Sierra Pelona Valley Vintners Association will hold its 1^st Annual Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival on Saturday, January 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Reyes Winery in Agua Dulce. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital*. Guests will receive a complimentary commemorative tasting glass and plate, a specialty gift bag, and free parking. They will also enjoy a “ticketless” wine tasting and gourmet fancy food samplings — all paired perfectly with a day full of live entertainment, art, and activities including:

• Wine, Beer and Spirits Tastings from, among others:Agua Dulce Winery, Alonso Family Vineyards, Antelope Valley Winery, Bacelar Wines, Coruce Vineyards, Chavez Vineyards, Diosa Tequila, Donna Harris Wine Biz, High Desert Cellars, Mike Rinn Wines, Mascari Vineyard in Bouquet Canyon,Montalvo Tequila, Naked Rebel Winery, Oreana Winery, Pulchella Winery, Reyes Winery, Steve Hemmert Vineyards, Two Hearts Vineyards, Vampire Winery, Winehouse Vineyards, 88 Tequila Co.

• Gourmet Bites from:California Bakery, Cheers At All Corked Up, Gourmet Blends, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Gourmet Tamale Factory, Le Chene French Cuisine, Naked Juice, Natcheryl Organic Café, Roman Holiday Wine Lounge,Truffles n Toffee, The Whole Wheatery

• An Early Morning Vineyard Hike, an optional activity with the purchase of the Hike & Wine Festival Pass.The hike will begin at Reyes Winery, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Winemaker Robert Reyes will lead the ascent into the Sierra Pelona Foothills to nearly 4,000 feet and across the scenic ridge overlooking the valley and vineyards. Hikers will learn about the vineyards and terroir on the 2-hour advanced level trail or they can take the 1.5-hour intermediate level route and afterwards enjoy breakfast at the Sweetwater Café. (Cost of breakfast not included in pass).

• VIP Treatment, an exclusive opportunity with purchase of a VIP Pass, for a private Winemaker’s tour and barrel tasting including early entrance at 11 a.m.; V.I.P. lounge reserve wine tasting paired with gourmet lunch; plus all general admission ticket benefits. (Only a limited amount of VIP passes are available).

• Art Exhibit featuring Lalo Garcia, Rosa Alvarez, Luis Villanueva, and Ricardo Ortega. Guests will experience a new expression for sacred spaces representing ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity as expressed by some of LA’s most esteemed Latin American artists.

Also, a classical art exhibit will feature the paintings of Virginia Miranda and her art students, and the paintings of Winemaker Robert Reyes.

• Live Music from the bands: R-Buckle-Road , Sierra Highway Music Band, and Still Moving Project.

• Silent Auctionand Raffleitems will include Wine & Dine gift certificates; a variety of other wines, gift packages, artwork, certificates; and many more exciting items from the event’s sponsors*.

*Sponsors for the event include: Galpin Motors, Union Bank of California, Southern California Edison, Golf Cars LA, All American Container, Power Media Group, Adam and Al Gottfried of Tee It Up Radio Network INC, Santa Clarita Valley TV, The Whole Wheatery, Country Journal, Mail America,Steve’s Valencia Florist, Robinson Ranch Golf Club, Newhall Ice Co.,Antelope Valley Winery, and Reyes Winery.

To purchase tickets for the First Annual Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival, please visit reyeswinery.com/spv-winefestival. Prepaid general admission tickets are $65.00 and $75.00 at the door. Exclusive V.I.P. Access Event Passes will be available online at $90.00 until January 20. After January 20, V.I.P. passes will return to their original price of $100.00. Combination Vineyard Hike & Event Pass is an all-day pass offered at $100/person and spaces are limited.

Reyes Winery is located at 10262 Sierra Highway in Agua Dulce, CA 91390. For directions, visit http://goo.gl/maps/nZG97

For Press inquiries, contact: Georgina Stassi, Director of Media Relations; georgina.stassi@gmail.com; 310-613-7445.

About the Sierra Pelona Valley Viticultural Area of California

In the Sierra Pelona Mountains of the Southern California just 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles lies California’s most recently established American Viticultural Area, the Sierra Pelona Valley AVA. The untouched natural beauty provides the perfect environment for burgeoning vineyards, boutique wineries and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy a day of discovery and relaxation exploring the area’s fine wineries and tasting rooms. For information on how to make the most of your time in Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Country, join the Sierra Pelona Valley Vintner’s on Facebook. And follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ReyesWinery.