Ruth's Chris Steak House and Duckhorn Wine Company Celebrate the Exclusive Vintage Pre-Release of Paraduxx Across 81 Locations on March 1

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 1, Ruth's Chris (www.ruthschris.com) will proudly partner with one of the legendary names of American winemaking when it holds Duckhorn Portfolio Wine Dinners in 81 locations across the United States. These exclusive dinners will feature signature Ruth's Chris dishes paired with four of the most iconic wines from the Duckhorn Wine Company portfolio. In addition to Duckhorn Vineyards acclaimed Three Palms Merlot, which helped to establish Merlot as one of the New World's great wine grapes, the event will feature the Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, Migration Russian River Chardonnay and the highly anticipated new vintage release of the Paraduxx Z Blend.

Founded in 1978 by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, Duckhorn Wine Company has set the standard for American fine wine for over three decades. After establishing a reputation at Duckhorn Vineyards for producing some of the Napa Valley's finest Bordeaux-varietal wines, the company has grown to include the benchmark Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs of Goldeneye, the stylish Napa Valley blends of Paraduxx, and the cool-climate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of Migration. In support of the Portfolio Dinners, longtime Duckhorn Wine Company President and CEO Alex Ryan will be hosting the dinner at Ruth's Chris in Pasadena, CA, with Duckhorn Vineyards Winemaker Bill Nancarrow hosting in Del Mar, CA, Goldeneye Winemaker Zach Rasmuson hosting in New York City, NY, Migration Winemaker Neil Bernardi hosting in Walnut Creek, CA and Paraduxx Winemaker David Marchesi hosting in Beverly Hills, CA.

"We are proud to partner with Duckhorn Wine Company, one of America's finest, to bring Ruth's Chris Steak House guests an exclusive opportunity to be the first to taste the new vintage release of Paraduxx. With more than 80 participating restaurants enjoying the same innovative menu and wines on the same night, it will be one big Napa Valley-style celebration across the country and the largest wine dinner series in our company's history," said Helen Mackey, Corporate Director of Beverage Strategy for Ruth's Hospitality Group.

Wine dinner pricing varies by market with an average price of $110 per person. The menu consists of the following:

1st Course:  Spring Greens & Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese, toasted almonds tossed with Champagne vinaigrette
Paired with Migration Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2nd Course:  White Bean and Chorizo Soup topped with Julienne baby spinach
Paired with Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

3rd Course: Salt & Pepper Seared Lamb Lollipop, blackberry demi glace and sweet potato casserole
Paired with Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot, Three Palms Vineyard

4th Course:  Filet & Lobster Rockefeller served with red beans and rice and sauteed mushrooms
Paired with Paraduxx Z Blend Napa Valley Red Wine

Chocolate Sin Cake for dessert.

For a list of participating restaurants, visit www.ruthschris.com/rsvp/duckhornwinedinner.

About Ruth's Chris Steak House

Ruth's Chris Steak House, Inc. is the largest upscale steak house company in the world, with over 130 restaurant locations around the globe. Founded in New Orleans by Ruth Fertel in 1965, Ruth's Chris specializes in USDA Prime grade steaks served in Ruth's Chris signature fashion ... "sizzling."  Look for upcoming national wine dinners at www.ruthschris.com.

About Ruth's Hospitality Group

Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: RUTH) is a leading restaurant company focused on the upscale dining segment. The Company owns the Ruth's Chris Steak House, Mitchell's Fish Market, Mitchell's Steakhouse and Cameron's Steakhouse concepts. With more than 150 company- and franchisee-owned locations worldwide, Ruth's Hospitality Group was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Florida.

About Duckhorn Wine Company

The Duckhorn Wine Company family includes Duckhorn Vineyards, Paraduxx, Goldeneye, Migration and Decoy. With grapes selected from estate vineyards, as well as a variety of sought-after vineyard sites, each winery is presented with a canvas of lots from which to blend its wines. Focused on careful grape selection, innovative winemaking techniques and a premium barrel-aging program, Duckhorn Wine Company is founded on an unwavering commitment to quality. Duckhorn Wine Company wines are available throughout the United States, on five continents, and in 40 countries. For more information, visit www.duckhorn.com.

SOURCE Ruth’s Chris Steak House