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World’s Top Winemakers Coming To N.H. Wine Week

Contributor

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission will host its 15th annual New Hampshire Wine Week featuring more than 60 of the biggest names in the wine world, including Dave Phinney of Orin Swift, Lisa Evich of SIMI, Cristina Mariani-May of Castello Banfi, Isiah Thomas of Cheurlin Champagne, and Michael Phillips of Michael David Winery, who will meet directly with consumers in a series of exclusive tastings, wine dinners, bottle signings and seminars.

The week-long celebration of wine, taking place from Jan. 20 to 25, also features one of the largest wine events in the country, the 17th annual Winter Wine Spectacular, which benefits Easterseals New Hampshire. The event attracts more than 1,500 guests to sample more than 1,800 fine wines. For a full list of winemakers, celebrity appearances, event details and tickets, please visit www.nhwineweek.com.

“New Hampshire Wine Week, and the Winter Wine Spectacular in particular, have become some of the largest and most popular events in New Hampshire, and they continue to grow and expand each year,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica. “During New Hampshire Wine Week, we are proud to offer newcomers, experts, and everyone in between, unparalleled opportunities to meet and learn directly from the premier winemakers of the world. We are equally proud to have raised more than $2 million over the past 16 years to support critical programs at Easterseals New Hampshire, which performs such incredible work across the state.”

Bringing the flavors of the West Coast to the palates of New Hampshire consumers, NHLC will host a brand new event, “Cellar Notes: An Evening of Wine and Music,” on Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rex Theater, 23 Amherst St., Manchester. Along with live music in a relaxed setting, the event will feature an interactive panel discussion and tasting with Dave Phinney of Orin Swift, Lisa Evich of SIMI, Mark Neal of Neal Family Vineyards, and Craig McAllister of La Crema Winery, as well as music from local singer-songwriter Alli Beaudry. Tickets are limited.

In addition to the Winter Wine Spectacular, New Hampshire Wine Week features a selection of events taking place throughout the state. Check www.nhwineweek.com frequently, as dozens of events will be added to the website leading up to New Hampshire Wine Week.

“Our 77 NH Liquor & Wine Outlets across the state offer a robust selection of more than 7,000 wines for our customers, and there are hundreds of educational opportunities available each year to our customers through a variety of events and tastings, most notably New Hampshire Wine Week,” said Lisa Gosselin, NHLC Wine Marketing and Sales Specialist. “New Hampshire Wine Week provides consumers with the unique opportunity to sample premium wines before they buy. Unlike other events in the region, consumers can purchase wines during a number of New Hampshire Wine Week events, including the Winter Wine Spectacular and Cellar Notes.”

New Hampshire Wine Week culminates with the Easterseals Winter Wine Spectacular on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St., in Manchester. Along with having more than 1,800 wines for sampling, the event features delicious local fare, a silent auction and raffle, the Bellman Cellar Select VIP tasting room, and the chance to meet and learn from more than 60 internationally known wine personalities.

Tickets for the Grand Tasting cost $65 per person, and tickets providing access to the Grand Tasting and Bellman’s Cellar Select cost $135 per person.

The Winter Wine Spectacular raises critical funds for Easterseals New Hampshire, which is a leader in social services for individuals with disabilities and special needs serving thousands of children, adults, seniors and veterans in communities throughout New Hampshire. Over the past 16 years, NHLC’s Winter Wine Spectacular and other New Hampshire Wine Week events have raised more than $2 million for Easterseals New Hampshire.

“Easterseals New Hampshire is appreciative of NHLC and its ongoing support of our efforts to topple barriers, dispel stereotypes, overcome obstacles, and challenge attitudes and perceptions about people with disabilities,” said Christine Pederson, Director of Events for Easterseals New Hampshire. “The funding from this event assists our Early Supports & Services program, which provides many critical resources such as physical therapy, speech and language pathology and early childhood special education for children birth to age three.”

In addition to Easterseals New Hampshire, NHLC has worked with suppliers and brokers over the past five years to raise more than $2 million for nonprofit organizations making an impact in New Hampshire, including Best Buddies New Hampshire, Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, Homes for Our Troops, Operation Care for Troops, New Hampshire Food Bank, Toys for Tots, Granite United Way, Community Foundation Sonoma County, Napa Valley Community Foundation, Concord Hospital, Crotched Mountain Foundation, Wildlife Heritage Foundation or New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association.