California Travel Industry Association Honors Korbel's Gary Heck

    GUERNEVILLE (RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY), Calif., March 22 /PRNewswire/ --
 The California Travel Industry Association (CalTIA) has named Gary Heck of
 Korbel Champagne Cellars its 2007 Wine Maker of the Year. The honor was
 bestowed on March 12, 2007 at the Association's annual California
 Celebration Dinner in Sacramento.
     Korbel's President and Chairman of the Board, Heck was honored for
 bringing Korbel champagne to prominence; under his leadership Korbel has
 become the best-selling premium champagne in America. He also is
 responsible for raising awareness of California wine and the California
 wine country around the world through Korbel's participation in many of
 America's premier celebrations, including the last six Presidential
 Inaugurations, the 1996, 2000 and 2002 Olympic Games, and its sponsorship
 of the 2002 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Teams. In receiving CalTIA's Wine Maker
 of the Year honors, he joins seven previous recipients, among them Robert
 Mondavi of Mondavi Winery, Paul Draper of Ridge Vineyards and Ed Sbragia of
 Beringer Vineyards.
     Established in 1981, the California Travel Industry Association is the
 official voice of the California travel industry. An independent,
 non-profit organization, CalTIA unifies California's myriad travel-related
 businesses, and serves as the industry's catalyst and voice through its
 educational, political and promotional initiatives.
     "Recognition by the California Travel Industry Association is a true
 honor," Heck said. "Wine is one of the reasons California is a world-class
 destination and it's great to be acknowledged.
     Established in 1882, Korbel Champagne Cellars produces America's
 favorite premium champagne. Owned and managed the Heck family since 1954,
 Korbel currently makes a range of champagnes and a limited amount of still
 wine at its winery in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley. In a separate
 facility, Korbel produces one of the United States' most respected
 brandies.
                             Celebrate responsibly.
 
 

SOURCE Korbel Champagne Cellars