COPIA to Open Bistro and Wine Bar Featuring Largest Tasting Room on West Coast

New Tasting Room and Bistro, Update to Julia's Kitchen Restaurant Signal Start of Growth and Redirection for COPIA

NAPA, Calif., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food, & the Arts unveiled plans today to open a wine bar that will feature the largest by-the-glass wine-tasting room on the West Coast as well as a casual dining bistro. The creation of the new wine bar and bistro dining area is part of the institution's reorganization, which aims to strengthen COPIA while continuing to build on the organization's rich heritage in wine, food, art and culture.

The new bistro, scheduled to open May 22, will serve healthy garden-inspired bistro fare in a casual dining setting. Open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily, the bistro will offer guests and the local community an affordable, sophisticated dining option, with all menu items priced under $20. A variety of wine- and food-focused magazines from around the world will also be available in the bistro for purchase.

Starting in mid-June, the new tasting room and wine bar will offer more than 500 wines by the glass, making it the largest on the West Coast. In addition, the wine bar will feature space to highlight regional wineries, providing smaller winemakers and wineries with a unique opportunity to pour their wines and interact with COPIA visitors. The new tasting room and wine bar will be developed by and include programming from COPIA's distinguished wine education faculty.

"The new bistro and wine bar are the first steps in COPIA's transformation of the campus and visitor experience," said Garry McGuire Jr., COPIA president and CEO. "COPIA is committed to developing innovative educational and hospitality offerings that make our 12 acre campus a vital and differentiated must-see attraction for visitors and the local community."

In addition, COPIA is committed to enhancing its culinary offerings at Julia's Kitchen restaurant. As part of this commitment, COPIA will bring operations of the restaurant in-house and will end its relationship with Patina Restaurant Group. While COPIA searches for a distinguished culinary partner to help guide content and programming, Julia's Kitchen will remain open and focused on its original "garden to table" philosophy. By July, a major renovation -- including a new garden entrance and a private dining room accommodating up to 24 guests -- will provide an enhanced setting for guests to enjoy.

About COPIA

COPIA is the leading consumer-focused wine and food education organization in America. COPIA education programs offer visitors to the Napa Valley important content and experiences in education, discovery and appreciation of wine and food. COPIA also offers outstanding culinary programs, organic edible gardens, fine and casual dining, exhibitions, performing/visual arts, and a retail shopping environment. Proceeds from ticket sales, membership and donations support COPIA's educational programs and exhibitions.

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Source: COPIA

CONTACT: Emilie Nicks of Fleishman-Hillard, +1-415-318-4247,
emilie.nicks@fleishman.com, for COPIA

2008-05-01 21:14:49 0351150 PRNEWSWIRE