Goosecross Cellars today announced the release of the latest vintage of their highly-prized Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. "Increasingly, people are looking for wines they can take their time with, savor, and are really worth the experience," explains Goosecross proprietor Colleen Topper. "This is one of those wines. It is from one of the most prestigious Cabernet appellations in the world, and 2002 was an outstanding vintage year for us. The combination is perfect."

The winery has been crafting Cabernet Sauvignon from the renowned district of Howell Mountain since 1997. The impressive altitude of Howell Mountain, along with cooling ocean fog, create one of the valley's longest growing seasons and produce rich, bold fruit. In addition, the dry, rocky soil in the Goosecross vineyard on Howell Mountain stresses the vines, producing small, powerful, concentrated grapes which provide great balance and complexity in this spectacular vintage. The resulting wine offers intense blackberry, plum and strawberry flavors, tempered with luscious chocolate and black currant, and rounded with wonderful, chewy tannins. This is a very limited production gem from this small, family winery, which you won't want to miss.

To find out more and order this wine, go to www.goosecross.com

Goosecross Cellars in Napa Valley knows their customers appreciate fine wines and food, and are interested in culinary education. To enhance their progressive offerings in these areas to Goosecross VIP's, Goosecross recently obtained significant COPIA discounts for Goosecross Wine Club members.

COPIA is a fun, interactive center where visitors investigate the fascinating cultural intersection of wine, food, gardening and the arts. At COPIA in downtown Napa, Goosecross Wine Club members can now enjoy at discounted rates, various tastings, classes, festivals, exhibitions and performances that will enrich their Napa Valley experience.

"Our customers are interested in food, wine and the arts, not just as luxury items, but as a lifestyle", explains Colleen Topper, proprietor. "They want to know why things taste the way they do, and how to match foods and wines together to create new experiences. The programs and exhibits offered by COPIA are designed to enhance visitors' appreciation and enjoyment in ways they can take home and incorporate into their everyday lives. We are pleased that we've obtained preferred access and rates for Goosecross Wine Club members."

Learn about more Goosecross Wine Club member benefits, and more about Goosecross wines, at www.goosecross.com

Implementing another innovative approach to exceptional customer service, Goosecross Cellars has developed a unique database-driven recipe index on its website.

Still in it's infancy, the database already includes over 60 recipes that have been tested and paired with Goosecross wines. Goosecross knows that great wine is wonderful on its own... but shared with family and friends over appetizers, dinner or dessert, great wine becomes a lifestyle... an affordable enhancement to everyday dining, and to a customer's everyday experience.

"Our customers range from the novice to the sophisticated," explains Colleen Topper, proprietor of Goosecross Cellars and the chef behind most of the recipes. "This easy-to-use database, which can be searched by the recipe, main ingredient, wine or wine varietal, assists them with wine and food pairing in a very personalized way. With this database, entertaining becomes easy and fun. We're one of the only wineries in the world that offers access to gourmet menu selections, searchable in database format, paired specifically to serve with each of our wines!"

And what if a customer has a recipe of their own? "We always welcome submissions," says Topper. "The more participation by our customers, the more fun it is!".

Goosecross wines and the recipe database can be found at www.goosecross.com