Castello di Gabbiano and Arts Fighting Cancer Present Gabbiano Nights - A Movie-Going Experience Under the Stars

Castello di Gabbiano and Arts Fighting Cancer Present Gabbiano Nights - A Movie-Going Experience Under the Stars

Nationally Renowned Chef and 'Dinner and a Movie' Guru Claud Mann Cooks Up Culture for a Cause

NAPA, Calif., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Castello di Gabbiano, the classic Italian winery located in the heart of Tuscany, and not-for-profit organization, Arts Fighting Cancer (AFC), today announced the convergence of Hollywood and wine in the outdoor movie-screening series "Gabbiano Nights," in partnership with chef Claud Mann, co-creator and host of TBS's "Dinner and A Movie," the show Rolling Stone Magazine named "one of the 100 reasons to watch television."

Beginning September 6 in Dallas and September 20 in Los Angeles, Gabbiano and AFC will bring a series of timeless Italian films to life on the big screen at outdoor drive-in style venues under the stars. The weekly showings will culminate with a live demonstration in each market by Mann, where he will prepare signature dishes inspired by America's favorite Italian movies and provide tips on how to create a classic dinner and a movie night at home. Each mouth-watering recipe will be paired with one of the authentically Tuscan wines in the Gabbiano portfolio including Chianti Classico, Riserva and the Supertuscan wine, Alleanza, among others.

"It is my personal mission," explains Mann, "to be a catalyst in getting families to return to the dinner table -- and what better way than combining Italian cinematic classics with delectable dishes inspired by these great movies. Whether you join us at one of AFC's moonlight screenings or create your own 'Gabbiano Night' at home, the important thing is getting close friends and family together to cook, enjoy a classic film and celebrate Italy's robust and distinctive culinary heritage."

Claud's Top Tips For Your Own Dinner and a Movie
(1) Choose Your Favorite Italian Recipe -- Whether you'd like to consider
one of our featured recipes (like Gregory Pecorino Pansotti, inspired
by Roman Holiday) or choose one of your own, your dinner will be the
focal point of the night's festivities.
(2) Pick a "Mood Movie" -- Pick one of your favorite classic Italian
movies. It can serve as the thrilling, romantic, comedic or dramatic
backdrop of your dining experience. Moonstruck, Roman Holiday or The
Big Night are a few of our favorites, but the sky's the limit.
(3) What's an Italian Meal Without Wine? -- In Italy, the wine is made to
go with food and no meal is served without it. Create even more
ambiance at your gathering by pairing authentic Italian wines to your
menu. Gabbiano's robust Chianti Classico and lively Pinot Grigio are
extremely food friendly choices that marry well with all kinds of
dishes. And remember, don't get hung up on what wine that
traditionally pairs with what food. You're the expert; If you like the
food and wine combination, that means it correct!
(4) Invite Family and Friends -- Nothing says Italian like a big family
meal together. Invite favorite family members and your most colorful
relatives or friends to the table. Use your movie pick as springboard
for lively conversation. Whether they are parents, siblings, neighbors
or friends, a "Gabbiano Night" is meant to be shared with your very
favorite people. Do yourself a favor and let the kids help in the
kitchen -- it's a sure fire cure for those picky eaters in the family
-- if they helped make it, they'll want to eat it too.

(5) Save Room for Dessert -- It would be a sin not to cap off your lovely
evening with a decadent treat like chewy almond ricciarelli or some
bittersweet chocolate "Lost Kisses", inspired by Cinema Paradiso.

A portion of the proceeds from the "Gabbiano Nights" screening series will go towards the Cancer Relief Fund (http://www.artsfightingcancer.org/), which provides direct financial relief to cancer patients in order to improve their quality of life. Recipients of fund grants are able to use the grant to pay for medical treatment, home health care, housing and other needs. Movie lovers across the US can also donate by simply clicking onto the http://www.gabbiano.com/ web site. For every click the winery will contribute $1 to the fund.

"Since the inception of Arts Fighting Cancer, our goal as been to facilitate unique, artistic experiences, while focusing on raising funds for Cancer Relief," said Melina McKinnon, Director of AFC. "We are pleased to now be teaming up with Gabbiano because with this union, comes the opportunity to join people together in a very worthy cause through their appreciation of film, food and wine."

Movies set to hit the big screen include Moonstruck, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, as well as Roman Holiday, Cinema Paradiso and The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. "Gabbiano Nights" will be held in Lee Park in Dallas and on the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles.

Scheduled dates are as follows:

Dallas -- Lee Park
Thursday, September 6: Roman Holiday
Thursday, September 13: Cinema Paradiso
Thursday, September 20: Moonstruck
Thursday, September 27: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Los Angeles -- Santa Monica Pier
Thursday, September 20: Roman Holiday
Thursday, September 27: Moonstruck

Movie screenings begin at 8:00 p.m.. For more information on "Gabbiano Nights", Castello di Gabbiano or Arts Fighting Cancer, please visit http://www.gabbiano.com/ and http://www.artsfightingcancer.org/.

About Castello di Gabbiano Castello di Gabbiano was established in the 12th century just south of Florence in the heart of Tuscany's famed Chianti Classico region. From it's inception, the property included a wine cellar intended for the production and conservation of wine. Today, this historic 252-acre estate continues it's authentic winemaking tradition. Winemaker Giancarlo Roman crafts a full portfolio of flavorful, high quality wines. From the traditional Chianti and Chianti Classico, to Pinot Grigio, to his most modern offering, the Super Tuscan wine, Alleanza, each wine is distinctive and reflective of its unique terroir.

About Arts Fighting Cancer

Arts Fighting Cancer, AFC, formerly DEFMAN, was founded in 1999 with two goals; to produce cutting edge artistic events which appeal to the masses and raise money for cancer relief. With a generous grant from the Dallas Foundation, AFC has met these goals by recreating the nostalgia of the d rive-in through the production of outdoor film screenings in Dallas and Addison, Texas and Santa Monica and Pasadena, California.

Press Contacts:
Stephanie Rice
Ruder Finn
(310) 882-4008
(323) 877-6401 (c)
rices@ruderfinn.com

Cindy Coppola
Ruder Finn
(310) 882-4019
(609) 432-8099 (c)
coppolac@ruderfinn.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Castello di Gabbiano

CONTACT: Stephanie Rice, +1-310-882-4008, cell, +1-323-877-6401,
rices@ruderfinn.com, or Cindy Coppola, +1-310-882-4019, cell, +1-609-432-8099,
coppolac@ruderfinn.com, both for Castello di Gabbiano

Web site:

http://www.artsfightingcancer.org/
http://www.gabbiano.com/

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