NC son's boutique winery Tobacco Road Cellars made from California grapes continues to get attention across the US

Although North Carolina is home to over 70 wineries - few produce their wine using grapes from California. With the boutique wine industry booming across America, I thought you may be interested in knowing about this NC-based company (hence, the name) and, perhaps, telling their heartwarming story of how the search for the perfect Holiday gift turned into a company.

Four years ago, two old friends, East Carolina University grad and real estate developer, Dusty Field, 35, and Jason Earnest, a 29 year old financial broker, while drinking a cherished wine from Field's cellar, decided they had found the perfect gift. They were going to make their own wine and gift it as one-of-a-kind holiday gifts to their friends and family.

Most ideas conceived with the assistance of good wine and good friends don't make it to the next day. But this one did. Within a week, Field and Earnest purchased two tickets to California - to learn how to make wine, of course.

Today, Tobacco Road Cellars [www.TobaccoRoadCellars.com] is found in the most prestigious restaurants, country clubs, and collector's cellars. Their wine has been acclaimed all over the country. Recently, probably the most reknowned wine reviewer, Gary Vaynerchuk (as seen on Letterman and Nightline) called their wine "STUPID GOOD." (www.WineLibrary.com)

The Gift of “Pretentious Wine for Unpretentious People”

6 December 2007 -- Napa Valley, California + Raleigh, North Carolina -- Don’t let their Southern drawls fool you. These guys know their wine. These North Carolina based entrepreneurs’ penchant for California grapes led them to Napa Valley four years ago on a whim to create their rnearly half of their production to the lucky recipients. The other half (or so), they swear, they drank themselves.
Today, owners Jason Earnest and Dusty Field have nearly a dozen bottlings under their belt, a harem of collectors and wine enthusiasts vying for a bottle or two of their limited production, and the endorsement of the nation’s best known wine aficionado and blogger – Gary Vaynerchuk (www.WineLibrary.com), who touts the wine as “STUPID GOOD.” (Watch his reaction to our wine on video at www.TobaccoRoadCellars.com)
--- Note to Media: A b-roll package is available ---
Following on the extremely successful release earlier this year of their 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, “VITALITY,” Tobacco Road Cellars is offering two gifts designed to showcase their extraordinary wines this holiday season.
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve-Napa Valley
This 2005 Private Reserve is a limited first edition 300 bottle series designed by contemporary artist Peter Sergison commissioned by Tobacco Road Cellars. Each bottle is numbered and hand signed by Earnest and Field and will make a fine addition to any wine collector’s cellar. Each year connoisseurs throughout the world wait, glass in hand, to savor this quintessential wine experience.

One Bottle: $290
Three Bottles: $870
Twelve Bottle Case: $3132

Regency Club Membership –
We’ve narrowed our favorite vintages to the pinnacle three – Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Syrah and are offering the trio priced at $180.
This gift comes with membership to our Regency Club. This exclusive club was established with the same care and attention lavished on our wines and vineyards. Only 300 memberships are available and must be ordered in December 2007.
Limited Offering Priced at $180
To purchase these gifts or any of our wine, please visit www.TobaccoRoadCellars or call Dusty, Jason, at +1.888.770.3635.