Third Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Rides Back on to Governors Island for the Must-Attend Event of the Season

NEW YORK, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- With summer fast approaching, Veuve Clicquot Champagne today announced the return of the highly-anticipated, third annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic to New York's historic Governors Island on Sunday, June 27, 2010.  One of New York's most unique events, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is also becoming one of the country's biggest and most glamorous daytime social occasions.  Once again, the event's beneficiary will be the American Friends of Sentebale, the U.S. arm of the global charity founded by HRH Prince Henry of Wales and HRH Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, which aims to better the lives of the underprivileged, at-risk children of Lesotho, Southern Africa.  

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(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100517/NY06080-b )

Bringing the exciting world of polo to New Yorkers for this one day event, consumers are invited to a polo match featuring players from some of the sport's most noted teams around the world, including Nacho Figueras, captain of Black Watch and the face of Ralph Lauren's Polo Fragrances.  There are two ways to join the VIP experience at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic: purchase a table in the VIP Marquee or buy a picnic ticket for a champagne lunch on the lawn.  Tickets can be purchased and table information can be found at www.vcseason.com.  The event will also feature an area open to the public.  

"It is an incredible honor to be back on Governors Island playing polo in the third annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic," said Nacho Figueras.  "I'm proud to have helped develop this event with Veuve Clicquot two years ago, which brought polo back to New York City after a nearly 70 year lapse.  Last year, thousands of New Yorkers came out to enjoy the match and social atmosphere.  I'm confident and hopeful that thousands more will join us this year."

"We are delighted to bring the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic back to one of Manhattan's favorite landmarks, Governors Island," stated Christine Kaculis, Director of Communications for Veuve Clicquot. "The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, a signature social event of the Veuve Clicquot Season, provides guests and spectators with an incredibly memorable afternoon filled with sport, glamour and epicurean delights, all in a quintessential New York setting to support a great cause.  Mark your calendars now!"

"We are delighted that the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will once again be supporting the American Friends of Sentebale and our work with the most vulnerable children in Lesotho," says Kedge Martin, CEO of Sentebale.  "Every day, at least 100 more children in this beautiful country have their lives devastated by the loss of a parent – having to drop out of school to become caretakers of their relatives, getting exposed to abuse, vulnerable to exploitation – the utter devastation of their childhood.  Events like this are crucial to our work – helping us to make a real difference to the lives of the most needy children."

In the unique and historic setting of Governors Island, the 2010 Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic promises to attract a fashionable crowd from around the globe, and feature the glamour and excitement of polo – 'the sport of kings.'  Last year's event drew Prince Harry overseas for his first visit to New York City, where he enthusiastically squared off with his team against Nacho Figueras and Black Watch on the polo field, in support of Sentebale.  Poised to once again be the most stylish and star-studded event of the season, last year's Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic drew over 6,000 public spectators and VIP guests including, Madonna, Kate Hudson, Marc Jacobs, Chloe Sevigny, LL Cool J, Donna Karan, Lucy Sykes, Rachel Roy, Hilary Rhoda and Alex Wek, all cheering on Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras as they went head-to-head for a worthy cause.

"The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is a great celebration of the Island's historic connection to polo," says Leslie Koch, president of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation.  "We are thrilled to again welcome this event that will provide thousands of visitors with the unique opportunity to experience a day of polo and recreation on Governors Island."    

This year, Veuve Clicquot is proud to partner with Union Square Hospitality Group, which includes some of New York's popular and beloved restaurants, to turn spectator snacking into an unmatched dining experience.  Michael Romano, chef/partner of Union Square Cafe and Culinary Director for Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) will design a multi-course champagne lunch for the guests in the VIP Marquee, as well as a gourmet picnic luncheon developed by USHG's catering arm, Hudson Yards, for picnic ticket holders.  In addition, in the weeks leading up to this year's Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, visitors of USHG restaurant locations Tabla and Blue Smoke, will be able to enjoy Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic-themed champagne cocktails to celebrate the occasion.

"We are very excited to partner with Veuve Clicquot.  Our team looks forward to bringing our culinary viewpoint to this well-established, highly-visible and cherished New York summer event," says Michael Romano, chef/partner of Union Square Cafe and Culinary Director for Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG). 

The west side of the field will be open to the public free of change.  Spectators will be able to enjoy the match from bleachers and can expect plenty of champagne bars to keep the Veuve Clicquot filled in their glasses.  In addition, attendees will enjoy premium concessions including Union Square Hospitality Group's Blue Smoke and El Verano Taqueria, marking the first time Chef Floyd Cardoz's irresistible tacos will be available outside of Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.  There will also be merchandise tents and other surprises for public spectators.

Veuve Clicquot is excited to welcome back Piaget as the official timekeeper of the polo match.  This year the Swiss luxury watchmaker is creating a special limited edition version of its Piaget Polo FortyFive Chronograph, inspired by the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. A favorite of celebrities and many of the world's top polo players, the specially designed watch will feature the iconic 'Clicquot Yellow' on its signature sub-dials and will be designated 'New York' to celebrate the location of the world's most glamorous polo tournament.  Only 10 will be produced and Piaget will award one to the winning polo team on June 27th.  The remaining models will be sold exclusively at Piaget boutiques. 

"Piaget has a long history with polo, so we are proud to commemorate our partnership with the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic by creating this very special timepiece," says Larry Boland, President of Piaget NA.  "It's certain to become a collector's item."

The official luxury automotive sponsor of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is the Ferrari California.  The newest V8 grand-tourer in the Ferrari product line up, the California, offers features that make this model the ultimately versatile sports car, from the retractable hard-top to its back seats, while being true to Ferrari's extreme performance and technological innovation.  Ferrari is thrilled to offer VIP guests attending the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic luncheon the unique opportunity to participate in an exclusive driving experience program.

In addition, Veuve Clicquot is delighted to have The Standard, New York as the official hotel partner of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.  The Standard, New York is located in New York City's thriving Meatpacking District and is Andre Balazs' most recent property in his expanding collection of Standard hotels which includes The Standard, Hollywood, The Standard Spa, Miami Beach, and The Standard, Downtown LA.  All 337 guestrooms and suites at The Standard, New York have breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the New York City skyline.  The Standard Grill, the hotel's acclaimed restaurant with Chef Dan Silverman at the helm, will be featuring a Veuve Clicquot champagne cocktail in celebration of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic for the month of June.  Guests can book their room today at www.standardhotels.com.  More information on event-themed hotel packages will be available on both the hotel's website and www.vcseason.com.

Last but certainly not least, Veuve Clicquot has teamed up with leading fashion experts to ensure this year's polo fashion over-delivers on the glamour and red carpet drama.  Ellen Christine Colon-Lugo is a leading "milliner to the stars" and has had the pleasure of "hat dressing" the likes of Penelope Cruz, Demi Moore, Beyonce Knowles, Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford.  Ellen Christine will consult and fit some of-the-moment polo appropriate hats out of her Chelsea boutique for this year's Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.

Lunch on the Lawn picnic tickets to the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will be available for purchase beginning May 17, 2010.  They are $250 per person and will provide access to all of the glamorous action, unlimited Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, a custom Polo picnic blanket and a gourmet picnic lunch developed by Chef Michael Romano, chef/partner of Union Square Cafe and Culinary Director of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group and its catering business, Hudson Yards.

Aside from Lunch on the Lawn picnic tickets, Veuve Clicquot will also be offering three levels of tables available for purchase in their VIP Marquee at the event.  For additional VIP table information/pricing, and general event and transportation details, please visit www.vcseason.com.

Always sip responsibly.

ABOUT VEUVE CLICQUOT

Veuve Clicquot has a long association with polo in England with the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup and now in the United States of America with the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, which kicks-off the Veuve Clicquot Season summer opening.  The champagne house was established in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot, and began to thrive when Widow Madame Clicquot took the helm 1805.  Today its eponymous Yellow Label continues to be one of the world's most beloved champagnes.  The Veuve Clicquot Season is an essential guide to the most exclusive social events and parties of the year across the country.  For more information, please visit www.vcseason.com or www.veuve-clicquot.com.

ABOUT SENTEBALE:  

Founded in 2006, Sentebale's mission is to transform the lives of Lesotho's orphans and vulnerable children.  Sentebale was founded by Prince Harry of the British Royal Family and Prince Seeiso from the Lesotho Royal Family.  Lesotho is a unique and beautiful country, but with extreme poverty and the third highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world, it is a country in desperate need of help.  With an estimated 400,000 orphans and vulnerable children in Lesotho, Sentebale works with grass roots organizations to identify, support and empower these children.  Sentebale's name means, "forget me not," and is a reminder of all the children who need help in Lesotho.  American Friends of Sentebale is a U.S. charity that promotes the health, welfare and education of the people of Lesotho, particularly its orphans and vulnerable children and supports Sentebale in its charitable work in Lesotho. For more information, please visit www.sentebale.org.

ABOUT GOVERNORS ISLAND AND THE GOVERNORS ISLAND PRESERVATION AND EDUCATION CORPORATION (GIPEC):  

One of the most historic and iconic locations in New York, Governors Island sits roughly 800 yards off the southern tip of Manhattan. Polo was played regularly on Governors Island when it was an Army base and matches were played throughout the early part of the 20th century, with the last match being played just before World War II in September 1941. Veuve Clicquot brought polo back to Governors Island in May 2008, almost 70 years since it was last played on the island. The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. GIPEC seeks to bring life to Governors Island, making this island at the center of New York Harbor a destination with great public open space, as well as future education, not for profit and commercial facilities. Governors Island is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 5 through October 10.   For more information please visit www.govisland.com.

ABOUT BLACK WATCH:

Black Watch is a world-class polo team which has won numerous tournaments throughout the United States. In 2007, Black Watch was the champion of the Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge and the winter champion of the Palm Beach Hall of Fame Cup. The team is captained by Nacho Figueras, professional polo player, face of Ralph Lauren's Polo Fragrances and model for Ralph Lauren's Black Label Collection. For more information, please visit http://www.Facebook.com/NachoFigueras.

To request additional event information, background on Sentebale, b-roll and/or still images of previous Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic events and/or to arrange an interview with participating Veuve Clicquot representatives, Nacho Figueras, Chef Michael Romano and Ellen Christine Millinery, please contact [email protected].

SOURCE Veuve Clicquot Champagne