70 ZINFANDEL WINERIES TO POUR WINE ON
NEW HIGH SPEED TRAINS IN THE NORTHEAST IN APRIL

February 2003 California & Washington D.C.---Seventy California Zinfandel winemakers will pour their wines for travelers on Amtrak's new high-speed Acela Express trains between Washington, Boston and New York City. The vintners (members of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) will be part of an effort by Amtrak to encourage business travelers to take advantage of the Acela Express, which cuts at least 40 minutes off previous train travel time between these cities, as well as enriching the train experience with extensive business-oriented amenities---such as conference tables, power outlets by seats and a calendar of 'entertainment.' Examples of other 'entertainers' on the Acela Express are baseball and movie celebrities, authors and cooking demonstrations. "There's no question now that traveling by train is quicker and less hassle-filled than traveling by plane between D.C., Boston and Manhattan," says Dan Stessel of Amtrak.

These seventy Zinfandel producers from California will be in Washington D.C., Boston and New York City to pour their wines for the public and the wine trade. Profits from these events will support the ongoing research at the Heritage Vineyard, a collection of old-vine Zinfandels maintained by the University of California, Davis. A complete list of the participating wineries is at www.zinfandel.org. Tickets for the events are available only from www.zinfandel.org or 530/274-4900.

Thursday, April 24, Washington D.C., Marriott Metro Hotel, 775 12th Street NW (www.marriott.com): 6:00-8:00 p.m. public tasting; trade tasting by invitation only. Tickets: $40 public, $30 ZAP members.

Tuesday, April 29, Boston, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street (www.bcaonline.org): 6:00-8:00 p.m., public tasting; trade tasting by invitation only. Tickets: $55 public, $45 ZAP members.

Thursday, May 1, New York City, Toy Center Building, 200 5th Club, 200 Fifth Avenue (between 23rd & 24th Streets, www.200fifth.com): 6:00-8:00 p.m., public tasting; trade tasting by invitation only. Tickets: $40.

The schedule of trains featuring the Zinfandel winemakers:

Acela Express 2168: Friday April 25, Washington Union Station-Boston South Station, 2:00 p.m. - 8:34 p.m.

Acela Express 2168: Monday April 28, Washington Union Station-Boston South Station, 2:00-8:34 p.m.

Acela Express 2175: Wednesday April 30, Boston __ Station-New York City Penn Station, 5:15-8:42 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.amtrak.com or by calling 800/USA-RAIL. There is no additional charge for the wine tasting, and light hors d'oeuvres will be served as well.

Examples of ticket prices if a traveler wants to meet these vintners and taste their wines on April 25, April 28 or April 30:

Washington-Baltimore: $42.00

Washington-New York City: $157.00

Washington-Boston: $176.00

Boston-New York City: $127.00

Newark NJ-New York City: $32.00

The Acela ("ahs-eh-la") Express has revolutionized travel in the Northeastern United States. The trains are faster because they use 'tilt technology' to move through curves faster and they are capable of a top speed of 150 miles per hour. The Acela Express chops approximately 40 minutes off a trip between Washington and Boston or New York (for example, Washington to NYC takes 2 1/2 hours on the Acela vs. more than 3 on a conventional train). These trains have been configured to maximize the travel time for business people, with features such as conference tables, the choice to have meal service at your seat, adjustable foot and head rests and power outlets at the seats for computers and cell phones.