Poetry in a Bottle: Ikal1150 Wine Holds Poetry Contest

HOUSTON, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The boutique Argentinean vineyard that produces Ikal1150 wines www.1150wine.com is tempting wine drinkers to set down their wine glasses and pick up their pens to write a poem about their passion for wine and the ways it adds to their lives.

The company's "Poetry in a Bottle" contest will award the winning poet with a three-night stay in a luxury suite at the Esencia Estate www.esenciaestate.com in Mexico's Riviera Maya, one of the first spots to serve Ikal1150 wines and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The package includes daily breakfast and a private wine and food pairing for two at the hotel's gourmet restaurant.

The hotel's location is especially relevant to the Ikal1150 contest since "Ikal" means "poetry" in the native language of the Mayan people, who have long called the area around the hotel home. The winning poem, or portions of it, will also be considered for inclusion on a limited edition bottle label for one of the company's wines, which themselves have been said to be like "poetry in a bottle."

"Since the beginning, our wines have inspired our customers to enjoy and ponder the special moments in their lives," said Sandra Beltran, co-founder of the winery. "This contest encourages them to put their thoughts to words in a way that can be easily shared with others."

The contest will run from February 1 to 28. Beginning February 14, Valentine's Day, the poems submitted for the contest will be posted on Ikal1150's Facebook page www.facebook.com/ikal1150 so contestants and wine enthusiasts can review the poems and vote for their favorite. In the mean time poems can be sent to [email protected]. The winery will consider finalists from the online voting to select the winning poem. Certain rules and restrictions apply. For more information log on to www.facebook.com/ikal1150?v=app_2347471856

"The creation of Ikal1150 was inspired by love and is devoted to reflect a lifestyle of people coming together, celebrating good times and enjoying relaxing moments," said Beltran, who co-founded the winery with her husband Jerry Ward. "We are happy to share some of the warmth and happiness that Ikal has brought to our lives." The '1150' in the wine's name comes from the altitude, in meters, of the winery's grape fields.

Part of what makes the wine so special, apart from the passion from which it is made, is the unique mouth feel that goes with every sip. "Our wines are Old World wines, which really allows you to appreciate their terroir," said Ward. "The wines can transport you to a place of peace and great beauty and it's easy to see why it makes people feel inspired. We are excited to see how this inspiration will turn into great poetry."

Ikal1150 was first introduced to the United States in 2009, with three varietals – a Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Chardonnay. The portfolio has since expanded to include a Torrontes and a Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir has already won a bronze medal in the 2010 Houston Rodeo Bits and Bites Competition.

About Ikal1150 Wines:

The Ikal1150 vineyard is located in the hills of Mendoza, Argentina. The winery produces five distinctive vintages: a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Malbec, a Chardonnay a Torrontes and a Pinot Noir. The grapes are grown in sandy, rocky soil bathed with lots of sunshine by day and bright stars and cool dry air at night. The challenging soil conditions and temperature variance make the vines struggle and the fruit ripen slowly, giving the wines their signature body and distinct flavor, which wine drinkers describe as "poetry in a bottle," partly due to the name and partly due to the unique taste.

Ikal1150 only produces 2000 cases for the U.S. each year. The company's wines won the San Diego Critics Choice Award in 2008 and Bronze medals at the Houston Rodeo "Bits and Bites" competition in 2009 and in 2010 Silver and Bronze medals at the Houston Rodeo "Bits and Bites" competition

About the Creators:

The Ikal1150 winery was created by the same team that developed the distinguished small luxury hotels Ikal del Mar (now the Tides Rivera Maya) and Esencia in Mexico's Riviera Maya and represents an expansion of the company's reach into other products designed for consumers who appreciate the finer things in life. The wines are imported to the U.S. by Frutizia Wine Group, LLC.

SOURCE Ikal1150