WineSense

WWS NATIONAL PROGRAMS

Women for WineSense is breaking new ground, offering programs that are National in scale in addition to Chapter programs. The Disney Food and Wine Program beautifully combined education with fun. Notable speakers, such as wine educator Andrea Immer M.S. (and a longtime WWS member), along with prominent chefs, presented their topics on food and wine with hands on participation in food preparation and wine tastings. The upcoming Holland America Cruise will provide wine tastings, meet the vintner and wine education along with Olive oil tastings to on board members. Match a relaxing vacation with great wine and food- more on this trip in the Newsletter. Then watch for the spring date for our own WWS National wine education event for 2008, A Celebration of Women in Wine. WWS is so fortunate to have as Founders and supporters, the women who have formed the industry, as we know it today. These women generously share their experiences and expertise with all members- watch for program announcements. Our National Program is an expression of what makes WWS unique- a special connection with prominent women in the wine world, who personally offer their support and knowledge to women interested in wine.

WWS WELCOMES OUR NEWEST CALIFORNIA CHAPTERS

We are pleased to announce two new WWS chapters, Southern California (Newport Beach) and Sacramento-Sierra.

Southern California. Kathleen Valentini is the founder of the Southern California Chapter. She is also the President/Designer of Valentini’s Custom Wine Cellars. As a nationally recognized expert in the planning, design and execution of custom Wine cellars for over 10 years, Kathleen Valentini has raised the bar for wine cellars of all sizes and types throughout the country by incorporating both the technical requirements for storage and the aesthetic needs for a beautiful wine environment. Kathleen’s custom designed cellars have been featured in national publications and featured in a tabletop book entitled “Wine Cellars - An Exploration of Stylish Storage”, (Schifffer Publishing Ltd). She has also appeared on television and international radio as an expert in her field and had the first wine cellar website in the mid-1990’s. Kathleen has been in the wine business for 15 years, also working for World Class Wine Distributors in Minneapolis, and as a wine broker for 24 vineyards.

Kathleen became involved with WWS while looking for organizations in the wine industry that she could join. She just happened on to the WWS site. She sent a background letter to Gabrielle Leonhard, WWS President, who suggested that Kathleen start a Chapter in Orange County. Kathleen recalled the number of people wanting information from her on the care and storage of wine as well as other basics not usually addressed in wine tastings. Because Kathleen teaches about wine EVERY DAY on the phone and at events - WWS seemed like a perfect fit.

Kathleen can hardly wait to really get started. The Newport Beach Chapter’s first event, “Wine Basics” was scheduled on November 6. However, due to the Southern California fires, they will reschedule the event.

For more information, please contact Kathleen Valentini at 888.330.6371.