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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media
Contact:
Erin
Hunt, Erin Hunt Communications
917-544-3222
CAMPOVIDA LLC PURCHASES FORMER FETZER VALLEY OAKS FOOD & WINE CENTER Historic Farm and Culinary Center to be Restored, Renamed and Reopened
HOPLAND, California, April 29, 2010 – Campovida LLC, led by husband and wife team, Gary Breen and Anna Beuselinck, announced today that it has finalized the purchase from Brown Forman of the Hopland-based Fetzer Valley Oaks Food and Wine Center, which had been closed to the public for the past five years.
Originally opened in 1983, the 51-acre property was well known for being the first organic food and wine center in the United States, and once hosted such culinary greats Emeril Lagasse, Julia Child and John Ash. The property features a 13-acre biodiversity-rich, organic garden featuring more than 2,000 varieties of fresh fruit, herbs, vegetables, ornamental and edible flowers; the Dining Pavilion, which seats up to 120 guests with two kitchens
- one demonstration and one commercial; a Farmhouse Inn facility with seven rooms and swimming pool; a field house with living room, kitchen, three bedrooms and three full baths and a private cottage; an area for public exhibitions on gardening and wine and food products; a tasting room with an outdoor arbor area with kitchen; a barn under renovation, a board room and reception area; and 10 acres of organic Sangiovese and Viognier.
With the shift in ownership, reinvigoration of the historic farm, gardens and culinary center has begun, with the summer of 2010 targeted for an official opening for wine related events, guided garden tours, weddings and private gatherings. The revitalized property will be named “Campovida”, meaning “Field of Life”, reflecting the abundance of natural beauty and resources to be found in the rich valley property. A testament to this will be the range of organic farm products planned from the property.
“It’s an honor to lead the restoration of this historic property that has been such a rich part of the Mendocino community and its food and wine heritage,” stated Anna Beuselinck, co-owner of Campovida. “We are extremely excited to become part of this community, sharing with others its fine heritage and resources.”
Added husband and business partner, Gary Breen, “Mendocino County is very unique – and the property has retained much of the traditional wine country ambiance visitors are seeking. With the opening of “Campovida”, we look forward to offering an exceptional destination for private celebrations and gatherings that will showcase the wine, food and farming, as well as the broad range of year-round leisure and outdoor activities.”
As a property created by one of the county’s foremost wine families and surrounded by lush Mendocino vineyards, wine will play an important role in Campovida. With a tasting room and retail center planned, the new ownership has chosen Mendocino-based Magnanimus Wine Group (MWG), lead by Proprietor Owsley Brown III, to offer its wines, local artisan products, provide organic vineyard and garden tours and host wine and food related events. The Magnanimus Wine Group produces a portfolio of wine brands from Mendocino County that are sourced from sustainably farmed, certified organic and Biodynamic winegrowers.
“Mendocino County has an unparallel place in the history of the sustainable wine, food and agriculture movement – something we’ve been proud to be part of,” said Owsley Brown III, Proprietor of Magnanimus Wine Group. “The opportunity to be part of this historic farm as a showcase for this progressive movement is very exciting. With this property, our intention is to herald the past while heading toward the future of farming – and we believe we can play a leadership role in the global eco-wine and food movements. By showcasing the farm to demonstrate what is possible with sustainable agriculture, we plan to serve as a resource for those that are passionate about this same vision, while simultaneously educating those for whom these issues may be new.”
The center is a one-and-a-half hour drive from San Francisco and one hour from the Sonoma County Airport which has daily flights from Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, Las Vegas, NV and Los Angeles, CA.
For media information, contact Erin Hunt at erin@erinhunt.com or 917-544-3222. To book events, tours or accommodations, contact, Megan Metz at megan@campovida.com or 415-728-8647
Campovida LLC
Established in 2010, Campovida LLC is a family owned and operated business formed by husband and wife team, Gary Breen and Anna Beuselinck, to restore, reopen and operate the former Fetzer Valley Oaks Food & Wine Center property based in Hopland, CA, which has been closed since 2006. Originally opened in 1983, the 51-acre property was well known for being the first organic food and wine center in the United States, hosting such culinary greats Emeril Lagasse, Julia Child and John Ash. Renaming the property Campovida (”Field of Life”), the new ownership team aims to regenerate and restore the vibrant and historic property to its former abundant glory, creating an experiential destination for wine tasting, private events, weddings, company meetings, team building activities, educational garden tours, art exhibits and meaningful culinary events. The property will officially open summer 2010.
For more information, visit www.campovida.com.
Magnanimus Wine Group
Founded in 2004 by Owsley Brown III, the Magnanimus Wine Group (MWG) is dedicated to producing authentic and distinct wines from Mendocino County that reflect not only a sense of place, but also the highest standards of quality and environmental stewardship. Producing roughly 10,000 cases from its four in-house labels, Mendocino Farms, Old River Vintners, Talmage Selection and Ukiah Cellars, the group focuses on creating wines honoring sustainable, organic, and biodynamic methods and the bucolic aesthetic of Mendocino County. Each wine is a testament to high-quality vineyards, artisanal winemakers, and a deep respect for the earth. The Magnanimus Wine Group will manage the Campovida tasting room and wine-related events and activities, slated to begin in summer, 2010. For more information on the wines and company, visit www.magnanimuswines.com.
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