Team Effort Readies Korbel Garden for 2010 Opening

GUERNEVILLE (RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY), Calif., April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- When Korbel Champagne Cellars' magnificent garden begins to welcome visitors for the 2010 season on Thursday, April 15th, this popular Sonoma County destination will be ready to dazzle. Much of the credit for Korbel Garden's beauty goes to the team of six gardeners who work full-time to keep this treasure in full bloom.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100405/SF80906)

Between them, the six gardeners have 45 years of experience tending Korbel Garden, which is planted amid the towering redwoods and winding footpaths that surround the circa 1882 Korbel Family House. The centerpiece of the Garden is a remarkable collection of more than 250 rose varieties, including some bushes that are more than 100 years old. Against a backdrop of weeping trees, plume poppies, brilliant clematis and a 30-foot tall climbing hydrangea, hillside beds enriched with mulch made from Chardonnay grapes crushed for Korbel California champagne showcase a range of colorful plantings, including several varieties of hostas, pincushion plants, coleus, ferns, and irises,  as well as pink and white California poppies. While the Garden's roses and other flowers will bloom for several months, its collection of dahlias has yet to emerge and will add a fresh bust of color by the middle of summer.

When Korbel Garden opens, free guided tours will be offered Tuesday through Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. through mid-October. Visitors often begin or end their garden tour with a refreshing glass of Korbel California champagne.  

Established in 1882, Korbel Champagne Cellars produced America's most popular methode champenoise champagne. One of Sonoma County's favorite destinations, Korbel is located on River Road near Guerneville, California, 14 miles west of Highway 101. Additional information regarding Korbel Champagne Cellars and the Korbel Garden are available by telephone at 707/824-7000 and on the internet at www.korbel.com.

Celebrate responsibly.

SOURCE Korbel Champagne Cellars