You Win Some, You Wine Some: Fetzer and Zipz Launch First Single-Serve Premium Wine Product in Select Major League Baseball Stadiums

HOPLAND, Calif., March 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting on April 1^st Opening Day, Major League Baseball fans can zip, sip and root for their home team. Beer, the long preferred beverage at baseball games, will see major competition as Mendocino County wine pioneer Fetzer and industry newcomer Zipz launch a unique new product in select North American stadiums.

Zipz, an innovative new wine company, has developed and trademarked a new single-serve wine glass and has partnered with Fetzer to bring this cutting-edge product to consumers nationwide. Fetzer is elated about the partnership as they have just released a fresh new line of premium wines, Crimson Red Blend and Quartz White Blend – wines that are smooth, sociable, well-blended and slightly non-traditional – the ideal wine to pair with Zipz. Moreover, the partnership between Fetzer and Zipz is unrivaled as both companies are actively committed to forward-thinking. "Both companies have made a significant commitment to the partnership. Fetzer Crimson and Quartz will be the first wine release in the partnership, followed by other wines under the Zipz brand– it's a partnership we couldn't be happier with," said Rodrigo Maturana, Global Brand Director for Fetzer.

This innovation will allow consumers to enjoy Fetzer's high quality and delicious Crimson Red Blend and Quartz White Blend, on-the-go at stadiums, convention centers, special events and more. As part of this partnership, Centerplate, the largest provider of food and beverage services in North America's sports and entertainment industry, collaborated with Fetzer and Zipz to bring this unique offering to select stadiums across the country. "We believe that wine drinkers will appreciate a high quality wine in a convenient, well-designed single-serve glass at the park," said Centerplate's Chief Design Officer, John Sergi.

How does it work? The 100% recyclable Crimson and Quartz Zipz glass can be enjoyed in four easy steps; pull the tab on the Zipz Clean Wrap™ covering the glass and unzip the wrap, remove the lid, snap the lid on the bottom, peel off the lift 'n' peel seal and voila! You now can indulge with a little bit of class!

While several Major League Baseball stadiums have expanded their food offerings this season, baseball fans will also be the first to enjoy the 187 mL-sized Crimson & Quartz Zipz glasses in select ballparks, among them being San Francisco's AT&T park, Seattle's Safeco Field and Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field. Centerplate and Fetzer have plans to expand the foodservice distribution of Crimson and Quartz through menus at Centerplate's Major and Minor League ballparks, NFL stadiums and convention centers this year.

Win or lose, fans can enjoy their wine like Fetzer does – with friends and family. Fetzer's Crimson & Quartz Zipz will cost approximately $9.00 - $11.00 at stadiums across the country. Fetzer plans to roll out the product to grocery retail in Summer 2013.

To learn more about Fetzer wines, visit www.Fetzer.com.

For images of Fetzer's Crimson and Quartz Zipz, please contact Brittany Gillmor at 415-984-6266 or [email protected].

About Fetzer
Since our founding in 1968, Fetzer Vineyards has been a pioneer on the Mendocino County sustainable wine scene. Recognized as the pioneer in sustainable practices since 1984, Fetzer is dedicated to renewable energy sources, sustainable wine growing and Earth-friendly bottling and packaging practices. Fetzer winery in Hopland is certified by California Certified Sustainable Winegrowing and Fetzer has been an active participant and leader in California's Sustainable Winegrowing Program. Fetzer also understands that the quality of our wine and the quality of the natural environment from which it originates go hand-in-hand. The creativity and passion of Dennis Martin, our winemaker, has always been central to the Fetzer spirit. While we pride ourselves on technological innovation, we've always believed that hands-on attention to detail comes first. And, it shows in our superb, award-winning family of wines that appeals to both established and new wine enthusiasts. This is Fetzer. Great wines and a healthier planet.     

We Make Our Wine Responsibly. Please Enjoy It Responsibly. © Fetzer Vineyards, Hopland, Mendocino, Co., CA

About Zipz:
Zipz, Inc. is revolutionizing the experience of enjoying wine by the glass with a breakthrough packaging innovation. Launching in April 2013, Zipz is the exclusive provider of Z Selections, a new collection of 187-ml premium wines in an elegant, single-serve glass made from high-quality PET plastic that looks and feels like traditional glassware, but is safe for use indoors, outdoors, or on the go – bringing Premium Wine Anywhere™. Each Zipz glass is covered in a patented Clean Wrap™ that keeps the wine fresh and the glass clean from handling, making Zipz ideal for use in public venues. Both the Zipz glass and Clean Wrap™ are 100% recyclable. Visit Zipz at www.zipzwine.com

About Centerplate:
Centerplate crafts and delivers "Craveable Experiences. Raveable Results" in over 250 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America – annually servicing more than 100 million guests. Centerplate has provided event hospitality services to 30 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 13 Super Bowls, 21 World Series, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and the largest plated dinner in history at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration. Last year, the company was named the fastest growing restaurant/hospitality group in the country by Nation's Restaurant News. Visit the company online at www.centerplate.com.

SOURCE Fetzer