Clos LaChance Winery Introduces Demonstration Vineyard Tour.

SAN MARTIN, Calif. -- Clos LaChance Winery today announces the introduction of the Demonstration Vineyard Tour, a special visitors experience for wine lovers interested in traveling to wine country this summer. www.clos.com

The Demonstration Vineyard Tour puts the vines and soil at the fingertips of wine lovers. Three years in the making, this special block of vineyards inside the winery's Estate Vineyard boasts examples of four trellis systems and eight different varieties. During the tour, visitors learn about the winery's sustainable farming practices, such as water conservation and the use of cover crops between vine rows. The tour also educates visitors on the different components of growing grapes such as sun exposure, differences between trellis systems, and identifying the various grape varieties planted in the Estate Vineyard. The tour is followed by a special tasting of select Clos LaChance wines. The Demonstration Vineyard Tour is offered every Saturday by appointment. Cost: $25 per person.

"Since we opened the Winery and Visitors Center in 2002, many of our guests have wanted a better understanding of viticulture," says owner Bill Murphy. "We created a vineyard tour that allows them to experience a deeper appreciation and connection to our estate vineyard and winery."

In addition to this Demonstration Vineyard Tour, the winery offers the following special tasting programs:

* VIP Tour and Tasting - An extensive tour of the winery facilities, an in-depth discussion of the wine making processes, barrel tasting and a tasting of selected Clos LaChance wines. Cost: $25 per person.

* "What a Difference a Glass Makes" - Join Clos LaChance's Estate Sommelier Dominic Tufo for a presentation and discussion of the famous Riedel glassware. The objective of this demonstration is to illustrate how the shape of glassware affects the taste of specific wines. Cost: $25 per person.

* "Essence & Wine" - Guests explore the various aromas found in a glass of wine. This demonstration assists beginning wine tasters in identifying the characteristics that they may or may not enjoy. Most importantly, it helps wine lovers know how to talk about wine and describe their wine experiences to others. Cost: $25, per person. Minimum of 10 people required.

* Winemaker for a Day (Wine Blending) - Team Building Exercise - Guests have the opportunity to play winemaker for a day, tasting through wine samples and creating different blends. A Clos LaChance representative walks each attendee through the various steps and techniques of blending, with a focus on Bordeaux and Rhone varieties. Each member of the winning team will take home a bottle of the blended wine. Cost: $45 per person, plus the cost of wine. Minimum 10 people required. 24 person max.

The winery offers a variety of other wine tasting options to choose from, including a "Limited Edition" tasting featuring reserve-level wines with tours of the cellar and winemaking facility. In addition, the winery hosts a handful of special events throughout the year, including their signature Time for Wine Thursdays (Memorial Day through Labor Day) and Fireside Fridays (January- April). For more information and to book a tasting today, visit www.clos.com.

Clos LaChance Winery has been a popular wine country destination since opening its doors in 2002. Nestled between the Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey, visitors are treated to a stunning Old World wine country setting. Tapestries, European antiques and walnut finished cabinets are just a few of the design highlights in the Tasting Room and Grand Salon. The Tasting Library and Grand Salon, with its floor-to-ceiling fireplace open to the Tapestry Lawn and Mulberry Grove that boasts panoramic views of the rolling hillsides, CordeValle Resort's pristine golf course, and the winery's Estate Vineyard, The winery also offers a competition sized Bocce Ball court near the Mulberry Grove for visitors to enjoy a friendly competition over a glass of wine. All of this has contributed to Food & Wine magazine naming Clos LaChance Winery as one of ten "U.S. Wineries to Watch," and viewers of the San Francisco Bay Area's In Wine County television show voted the winery "Best Winery to Take Out of Town Guests."

About Clos LaChance Winery

Clos LaChance (www.clos.com) is a family-owned winery located in San Martin, California, 30 minutes south of San Jose and 45 minutes north of the Monterey Peninsula. Owners Bill and Brenda Murphy strive to provide customers with high quality, stylistically consistent wines that are varietally distinct. Clos LaChance takes its name from the small fenced-in area encompassing a vineyard (Clos) and from co-owner Brenda Murphy's maiden name.

The Clos LaChance Winery features a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, estate vineyards and hospitality center. In addition, the winery promotes sustainable farming practices in the vineyards and the winery. For further information, please visit www.clos.com.