The Third-Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles Returns To The Pacific Palisades In Support Of Will Rogers State Historic Park

NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Veuve Clicquot Champagne is thrilled to announce that the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles will be returning to the beautiful Will Rogers State Historic Park in the Pacific Palisades on Saturday, October 6, 2012. For a third year, the world-renowned champagne house is welcoming Angelenos to enjoy an exciting game of polo, while supporting the preservation of Will Rogers State Historic Park, Will Rogers Polo Club and their efforts to preserve the sport of polo in Los Angeles and the beautiful oasis that is Will Rogers State Historic Park. Co-hosts Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier, Rachel Zoe and Rodger Berman, and President of Veuve Clicquot U.S. Vanessa Kay, will be joined by friends, supporters and polo enthusiasts.

With a deep-rooted history dating back to the 1920's, Will Rogers State Historic Park has long been a stomping ground for the likes of Walt Disney, Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable and Douglas Fairbanks. A mecca for polo connoisseurs in its heyday, Will Rogers State Historic Park strives to maintain its prestige as the heart of polo in Los Angeles. Veuve Clicquot is committed to keeping the sport of polo alive in Los Angeles, which was once home to twenty-two polo fields and now calls the polo grounds at Will Rogers State Historic Park the last remaining in the county. While last year's event commemorated polo of the 1920's & 1930's, this year's event will draw influence from polo's worldwide significance and pay homage to the global impact of the sport.

"I am honored to bring the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles back to Will Rogers State Historic Park after two very successful years," says Nacho Figueras. "Working with Veuve Clicquot, my hope is to continue to make the sport of polo more accessible and for the people of Los Angeles to learn about the game, support this beautiful park and of course, enjoy Veuve Clicquot."

Drawing inspiration from polo's global presence, with its rich culture and heritage, Veuve Clicquot continues to bolster this sport in the U.S. Around the world, spectators gather to enjoy polo matches and take part in elaborate and glamorous afternoons celebrating the game. More than any other sport, polo is best savored live – a theme steeped in tradition and perpetuated by Veuve Clicquot. This year, guests in the VIP marquee will partake in celebrating the sport of polo with a fete, inspired by India, to honor one of the first countries where polo thrived.

One of the most storied polo matches in the sport's history was India's legendary match of 1922. Among the 150,000 citizens who congregated around the polo field in Delhi – perhaps the largest number of spectators in polo's history – the future king of England (King George VI), Princes, Maharajas and high officials were among the guests who gathered to watch the Epic Polo Match. To honor this celebrated event in polo history, which left behind an extraordinary legacy of excitement, thrill and ambition, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles will take inspiration from the exotic cultural backdrop and glamorous time period when it took place.

"We are delighted to bring the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic back to Los Angeles with a new twist highlighting polo's worldwide influence," states Vanessa Kay, President of Veuve Clicquot U.S. "As a brand, Veuve Clicquot has a deep-rooted history, similar to the sport of polo, and we are excited to continue the tradition of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles. With support and enthusiasm from California State Parks, Will Rogers State Historic Park and Nacho Figueras, Veuve Clicquot will bring professional polo back to Los Angeles this fall and for years to come."

Bringing an added element of style and elegance to the event, Veuve Clicquot has once again teamed up with Rachel Zoe, renowned designer, stylist and fashion icon, as an event co-host.  "Rodger and I are so honored to return as co-hosts with our dear friends Nacho and Delfina. The glamour of polo against the stunning backdrop of Will Rogers State Historic Park promises to be a magical afternoon for everyone," says Rachel Zoe.

Synonymous with flutes of champagne and top-notch fashion, guests of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles are encouraged to don classic polo style inspired by the traditional looks of fascinators and dresses for women and daytime suits for men. To help guests achieve their most fashionable moment, Veuve Clicquot will feature the custom, limited-edition Veuve Clicquot parasol, created in collaboration with celebrated LA-based parasol maker, Penelope Parasols. The perfect accessory for an afternoon of polo-watching and champagne-sipping, the parasol is made of 100% silk dupioni fabric in Veuve Clicquot's iconic yellow hue with a solid hardwood shaft, brass-finish handle, ferrule and tips. Available for $189 at www.penelopeparasols.com, the Veuve Clicquot Penelope parasols will be sold at the event on October 6 for a special, event-day price of $99.

In an effort to further support California State Parks, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles is a ticketed event with an admission of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per person. Faced with narrowing state budgets and staff reductions, the park depends largely on public and private partnerships like Will Rogers Ranch Foundation and Will Rogers Polo Club, as well as private contributions, for financial support of preservation efforts. All guests of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles, must purchase a ticket in advance to gain admittance; tickets can be purchased at www.vcpoloclassic.com beginning September 5, 2012.

Ticket holders will be able to watch the match from picnic areas overlooking the legendary polo grounds, and can expect numerous Veuve Clicquot champagne bars and as well as gourmet bites from some of Los Angeles' best food trucks.  In addition, Veuve Clicquot boutiques will dot the event grounds and offer a variety of picnic essentials, including blankets, hats, polo shirts, sunglasses and more.

Spectators will watch Nacho Figueras lead his team, Black Watch, against some of the world's best polo players on team Nespresso. Nespresso, a worldwide reference in the single-serve coffee industry, has a long association with polo, sponsoring some of the most prestigious tournaments worldwide, including St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow in Switzerland, the Argentine Polo Open Championship, the Nespresso 108th U.S. Open Polo Championship at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, and most recently as a sponsor of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in June. Known for their exquisite collection of 16 Grand Crus, Nespresso will treat guests in the VIP marquee to the ultimate coffee experience.

For ticket information, event schedule, parking directions and general information, please visit www.vcpoloclassic.com 

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

ABOUT VEUVE CLICQUOT
Veuve Clicquot has a long association with polo in England with the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup and now in the United States of America with the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, which kicks-off the Veuve Clicquot Season summer opening.  The champagne house was established in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot, and began to thrive when Madame Clicquot took the helm 1805.  For over 200 years, Veuve Clicquot has been inspiring 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.  Today its eponymous Yellow Label continues to be one of the world's most beloved champagnes.  The Veuve Clicquot Season is an essential guide to the most exclusive social events and parties of the year across the country.  For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/veuveclicquot. Always sip responsibly.

ABOUT WILL ROGERS STATE HISTORIC PARK
Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades, CA, is where Hollywood luminaries including Will Rogers, Clark Gable, Walt Disney and Spencer Tracy once enjoyed polo. Today, the Will Rogers State Historic Park's polo field sits on the original site of Will Rogers' private home and is the only polo field left in Los Angeles.  California State Parks has partnered with two 501(3)c non-profit organizations, Will Rogers Ranch Foundation and the Will Rogers Polo Association, who are dedicated to honoring the legacy of Will Rogers through interpretation, education, restoration, rehabilitation, and preservation of Will Rogers State Historic Park. Through the third annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles, Veuve Clicquot is proud to once again support State Parks. For more information please visit www.parks.ca.gov.

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 more than 50 countries and has more than 7,000 employees. In 2011, it operated a global retail network of 270 exclusive Boutiques. For more information, please visit www.nespresso.com. 

SOURCE Veuve Clicquot