‘SHAKE THE VINE’ WINE COCKTAIL CONTEST IS COMING

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and BACK BAR USA have announced the debut of “Shake The Vine,” a wine-inspired mixology contest to take place at “Tales Of The Cocktail” in New Orleans at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15.

The nation’s best and brightest mixologists are invited to submit their original recipes to create unique cocktails using brands from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ portfolio, including Anew Riesling, Michelle Sparkling Brut, Red Diamond Temperamental Red Blend and Torres Orange Liqueur. “Full of flavor on their own, these brands by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates mix incredibly well in cocktails,” says Tim Haughinberry, the owner of BACK BAR USA. “We are basically providing mixologists with the perfect collection of colors to paint a gorgeous canvas, and we look forward to tasting some very inventive cocktails.”

Recipes from the top eight finalists will be chosen and mixologists will be invited to compete at “Tales of the Cocktail.” Finalists will be awarded $1,000 to cover travel and accommodations and will have the opportunity to compete for a grand prize of $5,000. All entries will be reviewed by a team of celebrity mixologists, as well as by representatives from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and BACK BAR USA.

Mixologists may enter the contest by filling out an entry form on shakethevine.com. Each entrant is permitted four entries online, one for each Ste. Michelle Wine Estates brand. Contestants may also enter by sending a letter with their first name, last name, valid email address and a photo and recipe of the cocktail along with a self-addressed and stamped envelope to: Shake The Vine Prize Package at 4224 W. Reno Ave., Las Vegas, Nev. 89118. Submissions are being accepted now through Monday, June 25.

Additional information about the contest, including rules, entry and eligibility, is available on www.shakethevine.com.

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, located in Woodinville, Washington, has a long and distinguished history that dates back to 1934. Wines under the Ste. Michelle label were first introduced in 1967, and since that time the company has expanded its winery and vineyard holdings to more than 3,700 acres in Washington, Oregon and California. The company is also the exclusive U.S. importer for acclaimed wine portfolios produced in Italy, France and New Zealand. Learn more at smwe.com.

Ste. Michelle’s Washington portfolio includes Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, 14 Hands, Northstar, Spring Valley Vineyard, Col Solare, Michelle sparkling wines, Red Diamond, Anew and Snoqualmie. The company also owns Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (with Italy’s Antinori family), Conn Creek and Villa Mt. Eden in the Napa Valley of California, and Erath, in Dundee, Oregon. In 2006, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates became the exclusive U.S. importer for the acclaimed Marchesi Antinori wine portfolio of Italy and Chile’s Haras wines, for Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte of France in 2009, for New Zealand’s Villa Maria Estate in 2010, and for Miguel Torres of Spain and Chile in 2014.

Back Bar USA is a full-service marketing, consulting and design firm with more than 25 years of experience in the beer, wine and spirits industries. Specializing in corporate and national account beverage programs with an emphasis on gaming, resorts, nightlife and fine dining, the company provides services ranging from menu development to ground-up venue concept, design and execution. Back Bar maintains an impressive portfolio of clients and brands. For more information, visit www.BackBarUSA.com.