American Culinary Students Serve the Stars.

CANNES, France--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--May 11, 1999--

Every year in May, when film stars and movie moguls descend on Cannes for the world-renowned film festival, lots of food and wine is consumed.

This year, a good portion of the wines being sipped in Cannes is from Meridian Vineyards and the food is being cooked by culinary students from across the United States. In addition to pouring the only wines at The American Pavilion, an American "oasis" in the heart of the festival, this California winery is heading up the Meridian Culinary Program.

"We served the only wines offered at last year's Governors Ball, immediately following the 70th Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, California," explains winemaker Chuck Ortman. "So, it seemed natural to champion filmmaking at Cannes -- it goes with our history of supporting the art community."

As part of the culinary program, Meridian Vineyards is sending fifteen culinary students from across the United States to prepare the nearly 1,000 meals being served daily at the Pavilion. "For our first year at the Pavilion, it's really exciting to provide these aspiring chefs the chance of a lifetime - two weeks of real-life cooking and practical training in Cannes, one of the culinary capitals of the world," says Ortman. "They're lucky that the winery is sending along internationally recognized executive chef, Jerry Comfort, to help set up the program and provide expert advice."

"The wines we're serving, 1997 Santa Barbara Chardonnay and 1996 California Merlot, have rich, bold flavors - just the style and character we think will be very well received by the international art community," says the winemaker. To get a glimpse of the students, titillating gossip, Meridian Culinary Program recipes, and tidbits of the wine scene at the festival, log onto www.meridianvineyards.com. Check in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from May 10 through May 21 for the latest scoop.

Meridian Vineyards has produced highly acclaimed premium varietal wines from its estate vineyards in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties since 1988. The wine market and tasting room are located in Santa Barbara's upscale Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center. The winery is nestled among vineyards in Paso Robles, California.