'Uncorked and Unplugged': Innovative Wineries and Emerging Artists Converge for New Summer Wine Tasting and Concert Tour

'Uncorked and Unplugged': Innovative Wineries and Emerging Artists Converge for New Summer Wine Tasting and Concert Tour

Stylish Wines From Solaris(R), Moon Mountain Vineyard(R), and Dynamite Vineyards(R) Blend Harmoniously With Emerging Artists From Interscope and Maverick Records

NAPA, Calif., July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Wine and music take center stage this summer as Custard/Interscope Records artist Sierra Swan, Maverick Records artist MoZella and Kingsbury/Interscope Records artist Elan partner with three innovative California wineries: Solaris, Moon Mountain Vineyard and Dynamite Vineyards, to create Uncorked & Unplugged, an unconventional blend of wine tasting, new music and live concerts. (www.uncorkedunplugged.com)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060711/SFTU116 )

This new wine-and-music program is anchored by a 24-date concert tour that will showcase emerging artists Sierra Swan and MoZella starting July 31 in San Diego. Every venue on the cross-country tour offers an intimate setting to discover new music and new wines. Each adult guest showing valid identification may enjoy wine samples of Solaris, Moon Mountain Vineyards and Dynamite Vineyards from a hosted, dedicated wine station.

In another twist, the program extends beyond the stage to include free music downloads of the featured artists exclusively through Sony Connect (www.connect.com) beginning August 1, 2006. Wine and music lovers will find the codes for free music downloads at participating wine retailers (on bottle neckers) and in participating restaurants. Information about the tours will also be distributed by co-sponsor Border's Books and Music stores (www.borders.com), as well as in the July and August issues of co-sponsor, SOMA magazine. The codes allow for free music downloads of Sierra Swan's "Copper Red," MoZella's "You Wanted It," and Elan's "Together as One," while inventory lasts or concluding February 28, 2007.

The musical artists were chosen for their stylish, individualistic approaches to their craft, much like the grape growing and winemaking approaches of Solaris, Moon Mountain Vineyard, and Dynamite Vineyards. The young artists also appeal to many of the same consumers in their late 20s and 30s that are discovering and appreciating innovative wines. In fact, a 2006 Wine Market Council study reported that young adults 21-28 years old are enjoying wine more than their X-generation siblings.

"Uncorked and Unplugged is a fresh take on the traditional wine tasting," said Helen Mackey, Brand Manager for Solaris, Moon Mountain Vineyards and Dynamite Vineyards. "We are excited to help showcase the artistry on the stage and in the bottle," she added.

"This pairing is a great draw for those who want to discover new music and wine in a hip, eclectic and accessible environment," said Dyana Kass, Interscope Records Marketing.

Unplugged: Tour Dates and Download Information
Sierra Swan and MoZella are scheduled to perform on the following dates:

-- July 31, San Diego *
-- August 2, Los Angeles *
-- August 3, San Francisco *
-- August 4, Portland *
-- August 5, Seattle *
-- August 7, Salt Lake City
-- August 9, Denver
-- August 11, Minneapolis
-- August 12, Madison
-- August 14, Chicago
-- August 15, Detroit
-- August 16, Toronto
-- August 17, Cleveland
-- August 18, Buffalo
-- August 19, Boston
-- August 21, New York
-- August 22, Washington, DC
-- August 23, Philadelphia
-- August 25, Atlanta
-- August 26, Nashville
-- August 29, Dallas
-- August 30, Austin
-- August 31, Houston
-- September 3, Tucson

For more information on tour dates and locations visit www.uncorkedunplugged.com .

*Sierra Swan only.

Sierra Swan

Sierra Swan has been described as beautiful, erotic, mesmerizing, captivating and suspenseful. Produced by Linda Perry and Bill Bottrell, Ladyland is a musically rich, cinematic portrait of a woman's battle for honesty and empowerment. From the opening piano riff of "Copper Red" through the sexy shuffle of "Don't Say", Sierra Swan makes her intentions and musical spirit clear in a powerful, unique voice. The longing piano balladry of "The Ladder", co-written by Linda Perry, gives her a launching pad of a hook and a perfect showcase for her sultry, sexy vocal delivery.

MoZella

From the musically diverse city of Detroit with a lifetime steeped in music, Mozella has a beguiling blend of natural born songwriting skills and a distinctive vocal gift. While it might be tempting to compare this 24 year- old's sound and style to the likes of Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill, MoZella is staking out some utterly unique musical territory all her own. Her soulful debut album, titled "I Will," is set for release September 19, 2006.

Elan

California native Elan's 2006 solo debut finds him effectively channeling Bob Marley's ghost but Together as One is also thoroughly contemporary, bringing in elements of dancehall, reggaeton, new wave, and club music. Executive produced by No Doubt's Tony Kanal, the album features some of the most amazing musicians and producers in Jamaican reggae culture: Sly & Robbie, Fatis, Steve "Lenky" Marsden and Tony Kelly among them. Also features collaborations with Gwen Stefani, Assassin, Tami Chynn and DJ legend Cutty Ranks.

Uncorked: About the Wineries

Solaris: Latin for "of the sun," Solaris celebrates the sun-kissed California vineyards of Napa Valley, Monterey and other regions where our grapes are nurtured through harvest. Our winemaker defines the wine style as "Refined Concentration", because he frames the bold and lush flavors with balanced acidity and structure for an ultimately enjoyable, food-friendly wine. Contemporary and stylish, Solaris wines are ideal for those with a sense of adventure. (www.solariswinery.com)

Moon Mountain Vineyard: You could say that Moon Mountain Vineyard takes things to the extreme. The rugged terrain of this nearly 2,000 foot-high Sonoma estate produces grapes of intense flavor and complexity. A devastating fire in 1996 destroyed the vineyards, but led to the winery's rebirth, move to organic farming on the estate, and this year's introduction of a well-received tier of new Sonoma County wines. (www.moonmountainvineyard.com)

Dynamite Vineyards: These are wines from California's North Coast, showcasing full fruit flavors and intense colors of grapes from Mendocino and Lake Counties. In keeping with Dynamite's fun and whimsical spirit, a local artist is commissioned to design a new label to tell the story of the vineyard each year. (www.dynamitevineyards.com)

Solaris Winery, Dynamite Vineyards and Moon Mountain Vineyard wines are produced by Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines. DC&E also produces and markets Beaulieu Vineyard, Sterling Vineyards, Sterling Vintner's Collection, the wines of the Chalone Wine Group, and Blossom Hill, as well as the French wines of Barton & Guestier. DC&E is also a leading importer of classified Bordeaux in the U.S. and F.E. Trimbach wines from Alsace. A collection of Burgundy estate-bottled wines and several other fine European wines complement the selection. Please enjoy our quality responsibly.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060711/SFTU116
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines

CONTACT: Tia Butts of Benson Marketing Group, +1-707-254-0465, for
Solaris, Moon Mountain Vineyards, Dynamite Vineyards; or Dyana Kass,
+1-310-865-7806, for Interscope Records; or Juliana Plotkin of Ink Tank,
+1-323-467-8100, for Sierra Swan; or Nikki Herceg of WBR Publicity,
+1-615-214-1489, for MoZella, or Alexandra Greenberg of MSO PR,
+1-818-380-0400, ext. 224, for Elan

Web site: http://www.uncorkedunplugged.com/

Web site: http://www.solariswinery.com/

Web site: http://www.moonmountainvineyard.com/

Web site: http://www.dynamitevineyards.com/

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