2304 Whitesburg Drive S. ♦ 256-489-WINE ♦ TheWineCellar@knology.net
Contact Information: Ashley Jennings Phone: (256) 508-8717 E-mail: arjennings@mac.com FACT SHEET •
Rhonda and Jim Mitchell founded The Wine Cellar in Huntsville, Ala. in 2001.
•
The Wine Cellar hosts wine tastings every Wednesday and Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. For $10, customers can taste anywhere from six to 15 wines varying in price from $8 to $100 and up, and will receive $5 off of any bottle purchased that evening.
•
The Wine Cellar makes custom gift baskets and has a unique selection of gifts and wine items for birthdays, weddings and special occasions.
•
Anyone can “rent” the Cellar for their own special wine tasting experience, complete with a special package to suit individual taste and budget.
•
The Wine Cellar’s concierge program allows phone-in and pick up wine services and delivers directly to customers’ vehicles.
•
Founder and owner Rhonda Mitchell teaches a Bottle and Brush art class each week. The class allows students to bring their favorite beverage and leave with a painting of their own. Bottle and Brush is for all ranges of students, even those who have never picked up a brush. -###-
2304 Whitesburg Drive S. ♦ 256-489-WINE ♦ TheWineCellar@knology.net
Contact Information: Ashley Jennings Phone: (256) 508-8717 E-mail: arjennings@mac.com RHONDA MITCHELL BIOGRAPHY Huntsville, Ala. native Rhonda Mitchell attended The University of Alabama in 1978, majoring in art. While in school she met her future husband Jim Harris, and the pair was married in 1984. Rhonda and Jim’s passion for wine developed a few years into their marriage, and led them to attend various tastings and seminars throughout the state. Rhonda’s art career began to flourish, and Jim worked as a financial advisor in downtown Huntsville. But despite their individual successes, the two knew they wanted to share their love of wine history and culture with the city. Rhonda and Jim purchased the building that now houses The Wine Cellar in 2000, and the store opened just a year later. The Wine Cellar quickly became Huntsville’s hot spot for all things wine, including tastings and classes. Rhonda also brought her artistic -more-
Page 2 of 2 side into the business in 2008, by hosting her now trademark Bottle and Brush class each week. However, 2008 also brought hardship for Rhonda. Jim passed away after his battle with pancreatic cancer, and the fate of the store hung in the balance. Mitchell knew her husband would not want her to give up the store they built together. “He always told me to be strong no matter what happened, so I made it work. For me, the store is a constant reminder of what a wonderful man he was,” Mitchell said. Today, Mitchell juggles The Wine Cellar, the Bottle and Brush classes and her various artistic undertakings throughout Huntsville with unfathomable ease. She hopes to continue to serve Huntsville’s public, providing them with the best selection of wine in town. -###-
2304 Whitesburg Drive S. ♦ 256-489-WINE ♦ TheWineCellar@knology.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 27, 2010
Contact Information: Ashley Jennings Phone: (256) 508-8717 E-mail: arjennings@mac.com
THE WINE CELLAR TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL LINDA ANDERSON HARRIS BENEFIT Local wine store toasts to a cure for Multiple Sclerosis HUNTSVILLE, Ala.— The Wine Cellar will host its third annual Linda Anderson Harris Multiple Sclerosis Benefit on Friday, April 30th. The event will consist of a wine tasting from 5 to 7 p.m., and all proceeds will be donated toward finding a cure for the life-threatening disease. The Wine Cellar is locally owned and has an extensive collection of fine wines for any budget or occasion. It’s weekly wine tastings, private parties and Bottle and Brush art classes have made it one of Madison County’s Top 5 Wine Carriers, as well as one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Top 50 Wine Retail Stores of the Year. Rhonda Mitchell, founder and owner of The Wine Cellar, said she is passionate about the prevention of MS, and was proud that her store could help out a great cause. “I am always looking for ways to give back, and this has been a wonderful outlet -more-
Page 2 of 2 for us for the past three years. Last year, we were able to raise over $1700, and hope to top that this year,� Mitchell said. The cost of the benefit is $20 per person, and dress is cocktail attire. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information, visit The Wine Cellar’s website at www.thewinecellarhsv.com. -###-
2304 Whitesburg Drive S. ♦ 256-489-WINE ♦ TheWineCellar@knology.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 27, 2010
Contact Information: Ashley Jennings Phone: (256) 508-8717 E-mail: arjennings@mac.com
LOCAL WINE STORE RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION Wine Enthusiast Magazine names The Wine Cellar a Top 50 Wine Retail Store HUNTSVILLE, Ala.— The Wine Cellar, a locally owned and operated wine store in Huntsville, Ala. was named a Top 50 Retail Wine Store of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, a lifestyle publication covering food, wine, spirits, travel and entertaining topics. The Wine Cellar was selected based not only on its superior selection of wine, weekly wine tastings and seminars, but also its innovative art class concept, Bottle and Brush, that takes place in the store’s upstairs area each week. “The Wine Cellar has the heart and soul of what a good wine retailer should be. The store is welcoming, the wine tastings are extremely informative and Bottle and Brush is a creative fusion of art and wine that will no doubt sweep the nation,” Executive Editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Susan Kostrzewa, said. The award will be presented to founder and owner Rhonda Mitchell on Wednesday, May 5 at 6 p.m., during the store’s regularly scheduled wine tasting. For more information, visit The Wine Cellar’s website at www.thewinecellarhsv.com.
2304 Whitesburg Drive S. ♦ 256-489-WINE ♦ TheWineCellar@knology.net
FOR EDITORIAL CONSIDERATION April 27, 2010
Contact Information: Ashley Jennings Phone: (256) 508-8717 E-mail: arjennings@mac.com NOT JUST ANY WINE STORE, YOUR WINE STORE
Purchasing the perfect bottle of wine can be an overwhelming task. There are reds and whites, pinot noirs and chardonnays and wines from countries all across the globe, each with slightly different ages and tastes. But whether you’re a first-time customer or an avid wine enthusiast, The Wine Cellar in Huntsville, Ala. is without a doubt the best in town. The Wine Cellar makes it easy to find a wine that suits each individual customer’s taste, and strives to make wine education a fun and memorable experience. The Wine Cellar provides wine classes that give novice wine drinkers insight into the history and development of wine culture, and teaches even experts interesting “Wine 101.” Students will gain insight on some of the thousands of grape varieties, with a focus on the most popular bottles on the shelves today. The class also provides information on food and wine pairings. -more-
Page 2 of 2 Once customers learn a little about the history of wine, they are ready to taste. The Wine Cellar offers wine tastings every Wednesday and Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., allowing guests to sample and compare between six and 15 wines varying in price from $8 to $100 and up. And if you find a bottle that tickles your taste buds, The Wine Cellar will give you $5 off of your purchase that evening. “I am so passionate about wine culture, and I hope to impact each person that comes into my store in some way. There is so much to learn, and I’m ready to teach it,” Mitchell said. Mitchell’s passion for her store is not only seen by her customers locally, but is starting to gain national recognition as well. Wine Enthusiast magazine recently named The Wine Cellar a Top 50 Wine Retail Store of the Year, further proving its expertise in the competitive industry. There are lots of wine retailers out there, but if you want a store to make you feel at home while giving you the best wine education and selection in town, the choice is simple. The Wine Cellar of Huntsville is not just any wine store, it’s your wine store, so come visit us today. For more information about The Wine Cellar and any of its services, call the store at (256)-489-WINE or e-mail at thewinecellar@knology.net. Rhonda Miller is the founder and owner of The Wine Cellar in Huntsville, Ala. -###-
2304 Whitesburg Drive S. ♦ 256-489-WINE ♦ TheWineCellar@knology.net
April 27, 2010 Kevin Wendt, Editor The Huntsville Times 2317 South Memorial Parkway Huntsville, Ala. 35801 Phone: (256) 532-4000 Fax: Fax: (256) 532-4213 Dear Mr. Wendt, I know your Enjoy! Sunday editor, Mary Anne Swanstrom, uses the Sunday publication as an outlet to inform Huntsville’s public about upcoming arts, entertainment and social events. I have a timely idea for a story that would suit Enjoy! Sunday quite perfectly. On Sunday, May 9, The Wine Cellar will focus its normal Bottle and Brush art class on the celebration of Mother’s Day. This event will go beyond just a simple gift for Mom, allowing children and even husbands to spend quality time with loved ones while painting a piece of artwork of their very own. The class will be buy one get one free for all participants, and will take place at 3 p.m. The Wine Cellar would be pleased to have a member of the Enjoy! Sunday staff assist us in promoting this family-oriented event. A feature on Bottle and Brush would interest a variety of Enjoy! Sunday’s audiences, and would provide great opportunity for photographic elements. You can reach me anytime at (256) 508-8717 or arjennings@mac.com. Sincerely,
Ashley Jennings Director of Public Relations The Wine Cellar
2304 Whitesburg Drive S. ♦ 256-489-WINE ♦ TheWineCellar@knology.net
LENGTH: 30
Contact Information: Ashley Jennings Phone: (256) 508-8717 E-mail: arjennings@mac.com
MAKE MOM’S SPECIAL DAY WITH A BOTTLE AND BRUSH ART CLASS ANNOUNCER: ON SUNDAY, MAY NINTH AT THREE O CLOCK, THE WINE CELLAR’S BOTTLE AND BRUSH ART CLASS WILL BE OFFERING A BUY ONE GET ONE FREE SESSION IN HONOR OF MOTHER’S DAY. JOIN LOCAL ARTIST AND WINE CELLAR FOUNDER RHONDA MITCHELL FOR THIS ONE OF A KIND ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE THAT COMBINES PAINTING AND YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGE INTO A MASTERPIECE OF YOUR OWN TO TAKE HOME. THE CLASS IS A GREAT WAY TO BOND WITH MOM, AND WILL MAKE THE PERFECT GIFT FOR HER SPECIAL DAY. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE CELLAR AT TWO FIVE SIX FOUR EIGHT NINE NINE FOUR SIX THREE, OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND ADD YOUR NAME TO THE BOTTLE AND BRUSH E-MAIL LIST AT WWW DOT THE WINE CELLAR HSV DOT COM. -###
2304 Whitesburg Drive S. ♦ 256-489-WINE ♦ TheWineCellar@knology.net LENGTH: 60
Contact Information: Ashley Jennings Phone: (256) 508-8717 E-mail: arjennings@mac.com
THE WINE CELLAR TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL LINDA ANDERSON HARRIS MS BENEFIT ANNOUNCER: THIS FRIDAY, APRIL THIRTIETH, THE WINE CELLAR WILL HOST ITS THIRD ANNUAL LINDA ANDERSON HARRIS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS BENEFIT. THIS WINE TASTING EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM FIVE TO SEVEN P.M., AND ALL PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT THE FIGHT AGAINST MS. THE WINE CELLAR IS THE ONLY STORE IN MADISON COUNTY DEDICATED TO ALL THINGS WINE. NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE AN EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF FINE WINES, BUT ALSO A BOTTLE THAT WILL FIT ANY BUDGET OR OCCASION. THE WINE CELLAR IS NOT JUST ANY WINE STORE. IT’S YOUR WINE STORE. PLEASE COME AND SHOW YOUR SUPPRORT FOR THIS WONDERFUL CAUSE, AND MAKE IT A FUN NIGHT OUT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WINE CELLAR OR ANY OF OUR SERVICES, PLEASE CALL US AT TWO FIVE SIX FOUR EIGHT NINE NINE FOUR SIX THREE, E-MAIL US AT THE WINE CELLAR AT KNOLOGY DOT NET, OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW DOT THE WINE CELLAR HSV DOT COM.
-###-
2304 Whitesburg Drive S. ♦ 256-489-WINE ♦ TheWineCellar@knology.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 27, 2010
Contact Information: Ashley Jennings Phone: (256) 508-8717 E-mail: arjennings@mac.com
RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER USES WINE CELLAR ART CLASS AS ‘THERAPY’ Peggy Bilbro finds fun and friendship at Bottle and Brush Peggy Bilbro resides in a quaint mountain house in Huntsville, Ala. with her husband Jim. For more than 20 years, she taught Spanish to a classroom full of brighteyed elementary, middle and high school students at Randolph School. A Colorado native, Bilbro did her undergraduate coursework at Colorado State University. She was the Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages, an advanced level Spanish teacher and Director of Faculty Mentoring at Huntsville’s Randolph School Professional Growth Program. Her work with the Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teachers even landed her a nomination for the 2007 American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Board of Directors. She was no doubt a busy woman.
-more-
Page 2 of 3 But after Bilbro’s own three children built lives outside of Huntsville and her school teaching career came to a close, the void in her heart once filled with hundreds students and the joys of being a mother needed replenishing. However, it seemed there were few outlets in Huntsville to suit her passion for conversation and creativity. Bilbro heard about The Wine Cellar through a mutual friend almost two years ago, and it only took a few visits to the store to spark the wine enthusiast in her. Before she knew it, Bilbro began utilizing every service the store provided. “I started attending a few wine tastings and classes, and loved the fact that I was learning more and more and that my collection of different types of wine was growing,� Bilbro said. According to Bilbro, it was the friendly nature of the staff and the bond she began to establish with founder and owner Rhonda Mitchell that made her feel an immediate sense of comfort at The Wine Cellar. When Mitchell decided to start a Bottle and Brush art class, Bilbro immediately signed up. Bottle and Brush began to take shape as a weekly class for all levels of students, even those who had never picked up a brush. Mitchell guides students through a painting step by step, to ensure that each individual leaves with artistic knowledge and a masterpiece to call their own. Mitchell encourages her students to bring a bottle of wine or beverage of their choice from home, or purchase a bottle or glass downstairs at The Wine Cellar. The fun, relaxed concept makes for a great night out with friends and family.
-morePage 3 of 3 “Art and wine seemed like the perfect combination for a good time,” Bilbro said. “So I gave it a try, and now I’m hooked.” And hooked is an understatement. Mitchell said each time she hosts one of the classes, she is confident Bilbro’s smiling face will be in the front row ready to paint. “In the couple of years I’ve done the class, I would say she’s only missed a handful of them,” Mitchell said. Bottle and Brush has done more than teach Bilbro how to paint. She said the class has blessed her with life-long friendships, and a group of women who attend the class with her almost every week. “It’s great because we share so many of the same interests and passions in life,” Bilbro said. “It’s like a little Bottle and Brush family.” But where in the world does such an avid painter store two years worth of artwork? After all, that’s a lot of art classes. Bilbro chuckles, as if she’s been asked such a question before. “A lot of them hang in my house as decoration, but honestly I have so many now that they are beginning to stack up in various rooms of the house. My husband thinks I’m crazy, but I don’t care. I love the class too much,” Bilbro said. For Bilbro and many others, The Wine Cellar is more than just a wine retail store. It is a place dedicated to fostering relationships with its customers, while teaching Huntsville’s public about art and wine culture. And for Bilbro, it’s home. “It’s like therapy for me,” Bilbro said. -###-