NORWALK, CONN., January 18, 2005 – Andrew Firestone is on a mission. Unlike when he starred on ABC’s third season of “The Bachelor,” this mission is not about finding Mrs. Right, but rather, helping people find the right wine, and making wine drinking more approachable, less intimidating.

“I want to help demystify the wine experience and provide a welcoming forum for wine appreciation,” said Andrew Firestone, head of sales and marketing for Firestone Vineyard. “You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy wine. You just need to be open to trying and tasting different styles of wine, and not getting stuck in a comfort zone.”

It is in this spirit that Andrew will conduct an informal talk and tasting of wines from his family’s vineyard at Stew Leonard’s Norwalk Wine Shop, located at 55 Westport Avenue in Norwalk, on Saturday, April 23, from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. In between tastings, Andrew will be available for pictures and to personalize Firestone Vineyard wine bottles for customers.

The first tasting/talk begins at 1:00 P.M. and features these Firestone wines:
● Santa Barbara County Chardonnay
● Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc
● Santa Ynez Valley Merlot
● Santa Ynez Valley Syrah

Andrew will talk about the wines as they are poured, and also be available for pictures and to personalize bottles of wine. The next tasting starts at approximately 2:30 with the following Firestone wines:

● Vineyard Select Reisling
● Vineyard Select Chardonnay
● Vineyard Select Central Coast Merlot
● Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

“Customers are welcome to come at any time during the event, and jump right in. We want to keep the event informal, yet intimate, giving everyone a chance to taste and learn about Firestone Wines and personally meet Andrew, without having to wait in a long line,” said Rich Beladino, Stew Leonard’s Norwalk wine manager.

In addition to talking about a wine’s characteristics and what foods it pairs well with, there will also be plenty of time for participants to ask Andrew some fun, everyday wine questions. Here are Andrew’s responses to some lighthearted (but practical) wine questions:

Which wine would you recommend as a first date, before dinner wine? Why?

“As a ‘first date’ wine, I would always recommend something light and fruity, such as a Sauvignon Blanc. I like this wine because it has a great casual taste, but has some complexity, and is not overly sweet. But, the main reason I would steer clear of red wine is because it is difficult to be taken seriously by a young lady when your teeth begin to get the red wine stain!”

What style is your personal favorite?

“I have found that as my palate has begun to mature over the years, I have begun to enjoy different types of wine. When I first began drinking wine, I enjoyed only sweeter wines such as Riesling, and the only reds I could drink had to be very light and not too tannic. Recently I have really started to enjoy traditional red Bordeaux blends. I find that I am more particular now when I am pairing wines with foods, and I have come to the realization that a good wine is made much better when served with the right foods.”

Which wines would you serve if you were having a party?

“I would start the evening with a Riesling, slightly chilled and served with some fruit and cheeses. I would follow that with an option of Chardonnay or Syrah. I think it is fun to serve wines from different regions, and let people naturally gravitate to what they like drinking instead of forcing them in a direction.”

What wine style surprises you the most from year to year?

“I have been most surprised with the emergence of Rhone varietals. I believe that the only reason these wines have had difficulty catching on is that people have a difficult time pronouncing some of the names! With the confusion of Syrah and Shiraz, and just trying to pronounce Viognier (Vi-yon-yeh) and Counier (coon-wa) it’s no wonder people are nervous to dive into this emerging region!”

What wine would you give as a gift?

“The great thing about giving wine as a gift, is that there is a good chance that you will be able to drink it with whomever you are giving it to! So give them something you like! A good rule is to give a bottle of wine that you know something about. A good anecdote to accompany the wine is always a plus.”

About Firestone Vineyard
Firestone Vineyard was established in 1972 as Santa Barbara County’s first estate winery by Andrew Firestone’s father Brooks and mother Kate, and his grandfather Leonard Firestone, a former Ambassador to Belgium. The estate now spans more than 30 years of Firestone family stewardship and a multigenerational commitment to fine estate-crafted wines. For more information about Andrew Firestone and Firestone Vineyard, visit www.FirestoneWine.com.

(Each wine store is independently owned and operated and is not part of a cooperative buying group, or affiliated with the Stew Leonard’s food stores.)