Rosenblum Cellars Exclusive Wine Sponsor of Oakland's 10th Art & Soul Festival

ALAMEDA, Calif., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosenblum Cellars, the pioneering Zinfandel wine producer based in Alameda, is the official wine sponsor of Oakland's 10th Anniversary Art & Soul Festival on August 21-22, 2010, expected to draw crowds of more than 50,000 visitors to downtown Oakland.  The festival is a celebration of Oakland's musical heritage, art and diversity. Rosenblum Cellars wines will be served at all beverage concessions, and sampled within the Rosenblum Wine Garden. The $5 sampling fee at the Wine Garden will benefit Art & Soul's support of handcraft artisans and local musicians.

"Much like Art & Soul has evolved into Oakland's signature festival, our local wineries, lead by Rosenblum Cellars, have become an essential element of the East Bay experience," said Samee Roberts, Art & Soul Executive Producer/Founder. "Wine has always been part of the Art & Soul experience, so we are doubly pleased to this year welcome Rosenblum Cellars as our official wine sponsor. An award winning winery located right next door to Oakland, Rosenblum's participation is truly a celebration of great local culture."

In addition to concession wines sales by the glass, Rosenblum Cellars is sponsoring the Rosenblum Wine Garden, envisioned as a re-creation of the Rosenblum winery tasting room experience. Patrons can sample tasting pours of a range of Rosenblum wines for a $5 sampling fee, which benefits Art & Soul. "Our Alameda winery is only a 10-minute drive from downtown Oakland, so being able to support East Bay culture and the arts allows us to give back to our friends, neighbors and many of our biggest fans," said Rosenblum Cellars Visitor Center Manager Celeste Cooper.

At the Art & Soul Festival, attendees will find the Rosenblum Wine Garden located within the Lucky FoodStyle Pavilion. The Lucky FoodStyle Pavilion will feature celebrity chefs from Oakland whipping up tasty food demonstrations mixed with acoustic sets by local singer-songwriters. Attendees will learn how to barbecue from "Great Taste in Minutes" hosts LeAnna Jean and Stan the Man, and receive samples of grilled Master Cut aged tender beef. "We are excited to feature Rosenblum wines in the cooking shows as Zinfandel pairs perfectly with grilled beef. For a small donation to the Art & Soul Foundation, guests can sample a range of great wines at the Rosenblum Wine Garden and see how deliciously they pair with the BBQ served next door," said Rosenblum Cellars Brand Manager, Nicole Lockwood.

About Art & Soul Festival

The 10th Anniversary Art & Soul Oakland is Northern California's most accessible festival offering direct service from BART (12th Street/City Center station) and free parking for thousands of cars. The festival runs from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 21, and Sunday, August 22. Advance tickets, available online at www.ArtandSoulOakland.com, are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+) and youth (ages 13-17) and free for kids 12 and under. Tickets at the gate will cost $15 for adults, $8 for seniors (65+) and youth (ages 13-17) and free for kids 12 and under. Previously announced performers for the 10th Anniversary Art & Soul Oakland include CAKE, MC Hammer, En Vogue, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Sheila E., Pete Escovedo, Lenny Williams, Edwin Hawkins, Vicki Randle, John Santos and more. For complete lineup and event details, visit www.ArtandSoulOakland.com.

About Rosenblum Cellars Wines

Rosenblum Cellars Wines are produced by Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines (DC&E), which is part of Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O); the world's leading premium drinks business. DC&E produces and markets premium wines from around the globe including Napa Valley, Sonoma, the California Central Coast, Washington, France, New Zealand and Australia.  Brands include: Beaulieu Vineyard, Sterling Vineyards, Sterling Vintner's Collection, Chalone Vineyard, Acacia Vineyard and Edna Valley Vineyard. DC&E is also a leading importer of estate-bottled wines from Burgundy and Alsatian wines from F.E. Trimbach.

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SOURCE Rosenblum Cellars