The Sixth-Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Returns in Support of Liberty State Park

NEW YORK, April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Veuve Clicquot Champagne is pleased to announce that the sixth-annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will return on Saturday, June 1 to the beautiful Liberty State Park. One of the summer's most unique and glamorous star-studded social events, the 2013 Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will once again showcase the sport of polo on the picturesque grounds of Liberty State Park with the stunning backdrop of Manhattan. The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is co-hosted by world-renowned polo player Nacho Figueras, his wife Delfina Blaquier and Veuve Clicquot U.S. President Vanessa Kay. This year's event is in support of Liberty State Park, which sustained significant damage due to Hurricane Sandy last fall.

With sweeping views of Manhattan and less than 2,000 feet from the Statue of Liberty, Liberty State Park's over 600 acres of land has offered city dwellers a green oasis since it opened to the public in 1976. In October 2012, the tri-state area, including Liberty State Park, was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy; the park suffered extensive flooding and wind damage and had to close down for several months to rebuild. Today, the park is still working to recover from the storm's devastating effects and is only hosting a few events this year due to the damage.  Because of that, Veuve Clicquot is passionate about aiding the park's reconstruction and has named Liberty State Park as this year's event beneficiary.  To return Liberty State Park to its former beauty and prepare for the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in June, Veuve Clicquot is re-planting and landscaping a large green area of the park. 

"We are thrilled to bring the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic back for a sixth year, and we are honored that this event will benefit the reconstruction of Liberty State Park, a place beloved by so many," says Vanessa Kay, President of Veuve Clicquot U.S. "We're proud that the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is an event that people of New York City look forward to attending each year and has become a staple of the social season."

To pay homage to Veuve Clicquot's longstanding connection with Russia, the VIP marquee will be inspired by a Russian garden party, complete with decadent chandeliers and Russian caviar.  During the Napoleonic Wars of the 19^th century, Madame Clicquot went to great lengths to ensure cases of Veuve Clicquot made it to Russia in defiance of Napoleon's trade embargo. Madame Clicquot's surreptitious efforts paid off as Russia became one of the largest markets to enjoy Veuve Clicquot champagne. The Russian court became so fond of Veuve Clicquot, the common word used for champagne was simply "widow" in honor of the widow Madame Clicquot. The success in Russia eventually helped finance the purchase of one of Veuve Clicquot's largest and finest vineyards in Champagne, contributing to Veuve Clicquot as we know it today. 

Bringing the Russian theme to life, the VIP marquee will feature large chandeliers, onion-shaped domes and traditional babushka dolls. For this year's unique menu, Veuve Clicquot has partnered with Pinch Food Design, one of New York City's most innovative catering companies, to create dishes featuring a new twist on signature Russian delicacies – including caviar, smoked salmon blinis, beef stroganoff, bundt cakes and more Russian-inspired fare. From the decor to the menu, guests will feel as though they have been transported to a different time and place. Nespresso will delight VIP guests with the ultimate coffee experience by serving both hot and cold beverages from a custom coffee bar created especially for the event.

Tickets to the sixth-annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic cost forty dollars ($40.00) per person. Ticketed guests can celebrate the beginning of summer and watch the exciting polo exhibition match, sip champagne, and enjoy cuisine from some of New York's favorite food trucks including the Red Hook Lobster Truck, Mac Truck, Kortilla BBQ and Chinese Mirch. ln addition to entry, ticket price will cover ferry transportation to and from Manhattan to Liberty State Park or shuttle service available from the Liberty State Park station on the New Jersey Transit Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line. As always, Veuve Clicquot is committed to responsible alcohol consumption.  All guests must be ticketed and be aged 21 and over to attend the event. Furthermore, parking will not be permitted onsite – guests must either arrive via ferry or Light Rail. All guests to the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic must purchase a ticket in advance to gain admittance by visiting www.vcpoloclassic.com

Spectators will watch Nacho Figueras lead his team, Black Watch, against some of the world's best polo players on team Nespresso. This year, Nacho Figueras will have a particularly special teammate as his son Hilario will play alongside him.  Nespresso has a long association with polo, sponsoring some of the most prestigious tournaments worldwide, including St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow in Switzerland, and the Argentine Polo Open Championship. Veuve Clicquot welcomes Nespresso, for a second year as a sponsor of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. Representing team Nespresso is polo player Hernan Traverso from Argentina and team captain Alexis Rodzianko, the owner of the Moscow Polo Club who is traveling from Russia to play in the match.

"The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is an event that I look forward to co-hosting and playing in each year. Along with Veuve Clicquot, I am honored to bring the sport of polo for the people of this city to enjoy and experience," says event co-host Nacho Figueras. "Playing polo with the beautiful backdrop of the New York City skyline is an incredible experience, and I'm so proud that the event will benefit the reconstruction of Liberty State Park."

A tradition that was reintroduced by Veuve Clicquot in 2008, the sport of polo was first played in the United States nearly 70 years ago. Since its inception in 2008, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic has been hailed as one of the most stylish daytime events of the year. Guests take advantage of the rare opportunity to don classic polo style, and women can be seen in extravagant hats and sun dresses while men wear crisp summer suits.

Co-hosts Vanessa Kay and world-renowned polo player Nacho Figueras will be joined by New York's most glamorous crowd, friends of Veuve Clicquot and polo enthusiasts in the VIP Marquee. In previous years, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic In New York and Los Angeles has been attended by Prince Harry, Hugh Jackman, Madonna, Kate Hudson, Naomi Watts, Zoe Saldana, Clive Owen, Isla Fisher, Donna Karan, Rachel Zoe, Marc Jacobs, Sofia Vergara, Ellen Pompeo, Ali Larter, Jeremy Piven, Adam Sandler, Greg Kinnear, Mayor Bloomberg, Wyclef Jean, Jaime King, Jason Wu, Minka Kelly, Jennifer Morrison, Padma Lakshmi, Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner, Leslie Bibb, Matthew Rhys, Hilary Rhoda, Wes Gordon, Selma Blair, Catherine Malandrino, Poppy Delevigne, Dree Hemingway, Charlotte Ronson, Coco Rocha, Alek Wek, Lauren Bosworth, Olivia Palermo, Benedict Cumberbatch and many more.

For additional event information, b-roll and/or still images of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, background on Liberty State Park or to arrange an interview with participating Veuve Clicquot representatives or Nacho Figueras, please go to www.vcpoloclassic.com or contact [email protected].

ABOUT VEUVE CLICQUOT
Since its creation in 1772, Veuve Clicquot played an instrumental role in establishing and evolving the champagne industry as we know it today. Located in Reims, France, Veuve Clicquot prides itself on using only the most distinct grapes reflecting Madame Clicquot's motto "only one quality, the finest." Now, more than 200 years later, Veuve Clicquot Champagne inspires the world to "Be Clicquot": modern, audacious and premium quality. These values, set forth by the ground-breaking and extraordinary Madame Clicquot and maintained by generations of Clicquot drinkers, promise a remarkable experience with each sip of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/veuveclicquot or www.veuve-clicquot.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.

ABOUT NESPRESSO
Nespresso began more than 25 years ago with a simple but revolutionary idea to create the perfect cup of Espresso coffee. The unique combination of our premium quality Grand Cru coffees, stylish machines, and exceptional customer service all together provide the ultimate coffee experience. Nestle Nespresso SA is the pioneer and reference for highest-quality portioned premium coffee. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, Nespresso operates in almost 60 countries and has more than 8,000 employees. In 2012, it operated a global retail network of over 300 exclusive boutiques. For more information, visit the new Nestle Nespresso corporate website: www.nestle-nespresso.com.

ABOUT LIBERTY STATE PARK
Liberty State Park is a green oasis in the most densely populated region of New Jersey. With magnificent views of the New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, it is truly a gem of the nation. Consisting of over 600 upland acres and 600 acres of open waters on the upper New York Bay in Jersey City, New Jersey. The park provides wildlife habitats, open water, fishing access, fields, nature trails, bike paths, playgrounds, picnic tables, ferry service to NYC, Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty, and the two-mile waterfront walkway along the Hudson River - known as Liberty Walk. The park also includes the popular Liberty Science Center, Liberty Landing Marina, restaurants, and public boat launch. The park staff offers visitors interpretive and educational programs of the areas history at the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CRRNJ) Terminal and of the unique natural coastal environment. Liberty State Park is the most visited State park in New Jersey with over 5 million visitors annually. For more information about the park, please visit http://www.njparksandforests.com/parks/liberty.html.

SOURCE Veuve Clicquot Champagne