Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Seeks Local Heroes for Its 2011 Giving through Growing Program

LODI, Calif., April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi continues to support  Giving through Growing (GTG) - a partnership with the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) dedicated to developing and enriching communities through gardening of fresh foods.  This year's program springs to life with a new, nationwide contest to award four extraordinary 'Heroes' with monetary support totaling $40,000 to act on their vision to positively impact their local community through a gardening program.  The campaign will be supported by Top Chef alum and Pretty Delicious author Candice Kumai as the program's national ambassador, who will engage with consumers across the country and encourage gardening as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Inspired by the late Robert Mondavi who once said, "This is my life, fine food, and fine wine bringing everyone together around the communal table," the new 'Heroes' program is a way for neighbors to work together and enjoy meaningful culinary experiences.  Between April 15 and May 15, 2011, consumers with a passion for gardening can submit their ideas for a community garden food program on www.woodbridgewines.com/garden.  In early June, GTG and ACGA representatives will select the four candidates with the strongest ideas, deemed achievable within a six month period, as the program's inaugural 'Heroes.'

Giving through Growing Ambassador Candice Kumai will visit the hometown city of each 'Hero' to lend a helping hand at each community project site and monitor progress. "Giving through Growing aspires to rejuvenate the ways our grandparents used to live– local foods, fresh ingredients and community-based resources. That's what life should be about, the simple things, bringing community back together," says Candice.  "The program is really invigorating and all about living a healthy lifestyle while making a difference in local communities- I love it!"

At each stop on the GTG tour, Candice will engage with press during pop-up Giving through Growing Cooking Schools, co-hosted by the local 'Heroes.' Gardening fundamentals are the heart of the traveling GTG cooking school where Candice will promote healthy living through gardening 101 tutorials, techniques to maintain gardens and store crops, and pointers to get involved in local community gardens.  Candice will instill kitchen confidence across the country by illustrating how to transform fresh produce into healthy, flavorful meals and make it simple to enhance her easy recipes with Woodbridge wines by offering pairing guidelines.

During the first two years of the program, GTG donated almost $100,000 to the ACGA. To date, GTG funding has enabled:  educational scholarships for ACGA members to travel and attend national conferences; community leadership and gardening workshops; and the maintenance of gardens nationwide through fulfillment of resources. The essence of GTG is to stimulate creative thinking and provide necessary support that will one day make fresh food available to consumers across the country.  "Giving through Growing's vested interest to make individuals' visions come to life in their local neighborhoods will promote necessary community building and leadership skills so the greening movement can continue to expand," notes ACGA President Bobby Wilson.  "We are proud to work with a partner that is as dedicated to this cause as we are."

Robert Mondavi's generous spirit has had a profound impact on numerous charitable foundations and Giving through Growing continues his vision of giving back by subsidizing scholarships, through the ACGA, to provide higher education on gardening and community leadership to worthy individuals.  For more information on the campaign and to download a GTG application visit www.woodbridgewines.com/garden. Void where prohibited.

About Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi:

Robert Mondavi's pioneering vision stands on three pillars: putting California wines in the company of the great wines of the world; creating a wine culture that put a diverse range of California wines on every American table; and enriching life by embracing wine, food, and the arts as an integral part of gracious living. Robert Mondavi founded Woodbridge Winery near his boyhood home in Lodi, California, to encourage a growing wine culture in the U.S. by making quality wines that could be enjoyed by Americans as part of daily life. Combining traditional winemaking with state-of-the-art innovation, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi raised the standard for everyday wines in America, and has become one of America's most loved wines.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi is distributed by Constellation Wines U.S. - the largest wine company in the U.S. based upon sales dollar value, and an operating division of Constellation Brands, Inc., a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol in the wine, spirits and imported beer categories.  For more about Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, including food and wine pairings and recipes ideas, please visit www.woodbridgewines.com.

SOURCE Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi