Television's Newest Reality TV Series Puts Viewers in the Hot Seat

Television's Newest Reality TV Series Puts Viewers in the Hot Seat

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The Winemakers began airing on PBS stations across the country this month from New York and Miami to Seattle and San Francisco and already the series has attracted a devoted following like Kansas City based fan Thomas Becker. "The show is a great opportunity to see the real nitty-gritty of winemaking. It takes you way beyond the tasting room," he said. This first-of-its-kind series joins twelve men and women as they compete for a chance to create and launch their own wine label nationwide. Produced in a reality television series format, this premier season of six, 30-minute episodes follows a passionate and diverse group of contestants from the vineyards of Paso Robles, California to the boardroom as they struggle to make their wildest dream come true.

AMERICA WILL BE WORLD'S LARGEST WINE CONSUMER BY 2010; SO THE PRODUCERS ASK "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WINE?"

In its annual survey of US wine consumers, the Wine Marketing Council, a group of wine industry professionals, indicates that some 304 million cases of wine were sold in the US last year, the largest number in history - and the 15th consecutive increase. So with all this new wine consumption, the producers of the show have organized a series of events to find out what Americans really know about wine.

The Crossfire Challenge promotion will take place in cities around the country from November 6th to December 16th, 2009. The promotion is inspired by one of the challenges from the show itself. Imagine a team of wine experts zinging tough questions about wine at you - What is the term for adding sugar to wine during fermentation? Pinotage, it's the crossing of two grape varieties, which two? What are the main red grapes used in France's Rhone Valley? That's just what happened to the unsuspecting contestants on The Winemakers. Now fans of the show can become a "contestant" and take their own turn in the hot seat as they compete with other local wine geeks across the country.

Contestants will appear before wine experts a la "Jeopardy style" to answer as many questions about wine correctly in just three minutes. Friends, family, co-workers and even total strangers can help - but only once. The top three scoring contestants will win unique prizes ranging from wine club memberships to VIP weekends in wine country for two. To take the Crossfire Challenge, contestants just need to show up at one of the events below and sign in. They should bring their wine knowledge ... and they might want to bring some wine savvy friends too. A preliminary list of cities includes:

   New York City, November 6th, 6-8PM, California Wine Merchants   Napa, November 9th, 6-8PM, Oxbow Wine Shop   San Francisco, November 10th, 6-8PM, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchants   Kansas City, November 13th, 6-8PM, Cellar Rat Wine Merchants   Seattle, November 15th, 2-6PM, Tulalip Resort Casino   Chicago, November 17th, 6-PM, Just Grapes wine shop   Austin, November 18th, 6-9PM, Austin City Limits Studio   

Additional Crossfire Challenge events are planned for Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Dallas, Houston and Las Vegas. To learn more about the Crossfire Challenge visit www.thewinemakers.tv

FOODIES HAVE "TOP CHEF"; FINALLY, WINE LOVERS HAVE A REALITY TO SHOW THEIR OWN REALITY TV SHOW

With more than two years in the making, fans of The Winemakers have patiently waited for the show to begin airing. "I have been looking forward to the premier of The Winemakers ever since I heard about the show," says Milwaukee wine lover Maureen Shields. "Not only is it a great TV show idea, but it gives those of us who love wine the chance to see firsthand all that goes into making a great product."

The show's competitive reality TV format is a first for the wine business and for Public Television. Executive Producer and creator Kevin Whelan confesses that getting the show off the ground wasn't easy. "This show is something totally different for the wine category," said Whelan, explaining that it took the confidence of a "major powerhouse" in the wine world to embrace the concept when industry leader Beringer Vineyards signed on as a major sponsor. "Beringer was pleased to be a part of this groundbreaking series and honors the passion, art and science that is winemaking," noted Peter Willmert, Marketing Director for Beringer Vineyards. To download a complete Electronic Press Kit visit: www.thewinemakers.tv/media

SEASON II BEGINS SHOOTING IN FRANCE'S RHONE VALLEY. UNIQUE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILABLE

Season II of The Winemakers began shooting in France's Rhone Valley on September 16th, 2009 and will air in fall 2010. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To learn more about the show, view clips from season I and II or download an electronic press kit visit www.thewinemakers.tv/media .

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Doc City Productions

CONTACT: Media: Julie Nadezna of Doc City Productions for The
Winemakers, +1-202-587-4130, or Cell: +1-202-427-6769, jnadezna@doccitytv.com;
or Sponsorship, (Season II): Gail Spangler, +1-707-338-4772,
gspangler@doccitytv.com

Web Site: http://www.thewinemakers.tv/

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Profile: International Entertainment