FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL WINE CLASSIC AT LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY OFFERS CONSUMERS A TASTE OF SELECT VINTAGES FROM TOP CALIFORNIA WINERIES

Event Recognized By Vintners As One Of The Best Consumer Tasting Events In State – Consumers Urged To Purchase Tickets Early

January 7, 2004 –Taste California’s top wines, sample light hors d'oeuvres, and meet wine makers of some of the world’s best-tasting vintages at Loyola Marymount University’s 23rd Annual Wine Classic on Sunday, Feb. 8, from 2-5 p.m. The event will be held in the Albert Gersten Pavilion on the LMU campus.

With a reputation among California vintners as the best consumer-tasting event in the state, the occasion will feature more than 150 wines available for tasting from about 50 California wineries. An exclusive selection of rare wines also will be specially offered in a silent auction during the event.

The wine classic’s continued success is attributed to the presence of wine makers and proprietors who provide select wines and are present at the event to share their extensive knowledge with guests.

Under the direction of Arthur Carroll, Jr., LMU class of 1961, participating wineries include: Arns, Astrale e Terra, August Briggs, Barnett, Benziger, Blackford, Cafaro, Chase, Clark/Claudon, Corison, Cottonwood Canyon, Robert Craig, Field Stone, Foxen, Franciscan Estates, Frazier, Harrison, Judd's Hill, Robert Keenan, Lane Tanner, Lewelling, Lewis Cellars, Liparita, Livingston-Moffett, Miner Family, Moss Creek, Nichols, Ortman Family, Patz and Hall, Plump Jack, Raymond, Rombauer, Rosenblum, Saddleback, Seghesio, Sherwin, Smith-Madrone, St. Francis, Trentadue, Vinoce, Von Strasser, White Cottage Ranch, White Rock, Wild Horse, and ZD Wines, among others.

Admission for the LMU Wine Classic is $90 per person, $60 of which is tax deductible. The event includes a complimentary wine glass and light hors d'oeuvres. All proceeds will benefit LMU student scholarships.

Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets early, as a very limited number are held in reserve for the day of the event, and these generally sell out quickly. No one under 21 will be permitted to enter the pavilion. Refunds will not be granted after January 23, 2004.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact the LMU special events department at 310.338.5278.  Next year’s wine classic will be held on February 6, 2005.

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