Wine Storage Bellevue Goes All Out with Two Giveaways at Taste Washington

On March 27, Visit Wine Storage Bellevue Booth to Enter to Win Hosted Private Party for 15 or Wine Locker for a Year

Wine Storage Bellevue Tasting Room

BELLEVUE, Wash.—(March 23, 2011)— Wine Storage Bellevue (www.winestoragebellevue.com) (1614 118th Avenue SE, #200, Bellevue), which opened its doors last summer, is participating for the first time in the state’s ultimate wine and food event, Taste Washington (http://tastewashington.org), and will be splashing out on two exciting giveaways at the Grand Tasting on March 27.

Giveaway #1—Hosted Private Party for 15

· Prize:  A party for up to 15 people, to be held in Wine Storage Bellevue’s elegant, Tuscan-inspired tasting room. At 1,000 square feet, the facility is the perfect size for a gathering of thirsty oenophiles. The event will include prized wines from Sparkman Cellars (http://www.sparkmancellars.com) paired with delectable appetizers provided by El Gaucho Bellevue (http://www.elgaucho.com). Party duration is limited to 2½ hours.

· How to enter:  Drop off a business card or fill out an entry form at Wine Storage Bellevue’s booth #202, just across from Elliott’s Oyster Bar.

· When:  From 2 to 4 p.m., during the V.I.P. Tasting Event on March 27.

· Notification:  Wine Storage Bellevue will inform the winner through email and announce the winning name on their Facebook page the following week (http://www.facebook.com/winestoragebellevue). 

Giveaway #2—Free Wine Storage for One Year

· Prize:  Use of a 36-case wine storage locker for a year, the perfect place to secure a growing wine collection.  Valued at $54 per month, or $648 for the entire year.

· How to enter:  By “liking” the Wine Storage Bellevue Fan Page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/winestoragebellevue) during Taste Washington.

· When:  From 4 to 7 p.m., during the General Admission Tasting Event on March 27.

· Notification:  Wine Storage Bellevue will announce the winner through Facebook the following week.

“For our first year participating in Taste Washington we decided to go big. It just doesn’t get any better than partnering with El Gaucho and Sparkman Cellars, and we are excited to support the Washington Wine Commission and introduce ourselves to Northwest wine enthusiasts at the same time,” says Wine Storage Bellevue co-owner Patrick Gilroy.

The Grand Tasting, held at Qwest Field Event Center, is the culmination of Taste Washington: This food and wine extravaganza begins with a two-hour V.I.P. event (2 to 4 p.m.), which is followed by three hours of tasting (4 to 7 p.m.) for general admission ticket holders. Experts from more than 200 Washington wineries will be sampling their top vintages and top chefs from 60 restaurants will dish out gourmet cuisine. V.I.P. Admission: one for $125; two for $240. General Admission: $75 per person.*

The Eastside’s premier wine storage facility, Wine Storage Bellevue ensures proper humidity- and temperature-controlled storage for wine, as well as access via a dedicated elevator. Available in sizes ranging from 14 to 200 cases, each all-steel locker comes equipped with a steel latch and bezel and is secured with a cylinder lock. Customers have access to their valued wine collections from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day of the year.

*Tickets for the Grand Tasting are available for purchase online and at several Seattle-area wine retailers. Please see www.tastewashington.org for participating locations.

Wine Storage Bellevue offers secure, climate-controlled, state-of-the-art, all-steel storage lockers for valued wine collections of all sizes. Prices begin at $24 per month. Rental includes use of the generously appointed 1,000-square-foot Wine Resource Center and Tasting Room, equipped with a computer and internet access. Wine Storage Bellevue is situated inside Stor-House Self Storage, located at 1614 118th Avenue SE, Bellevue, Washington. Access is available daily from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.; Wine Resource Center open 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., or by special appointment. For more information call (425) 453-2242 visit http://www.winestoragebellevue.com.

Follow Wine Storage Bellevue online:

http://www.winestoragebellevue.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS6qpsOsCuo

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bellevue-WA/Wine-Storage-Bellevue/124800290869549

http://www.twitter.com/winestorageblvu

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Brotherton Cadillac Presents One Lucky Winner with a New Cadillac

Awarded During Race for a Ride Giveaway Celebration Event at Brotherton Cadillac in Renton

Friday, March 25, noon to 2 p.m.

SEATTLE, Wash.—(March 22, 2011)—This Friday, Brotherton Cadillac of Renton will present one randomly chosen Twitter user with a brand new Cadillac CTS at the Race for a Ride giveaway event.

In total, almost 20,000 tweets were sent mentioning #RaceForARide with the winner tweeting 150 times. The five nonprofits involved also saw an average increase of 30 percent in their Twitter followers during the campaign.

Everyone’s invited to come celebrate a good cause and enjoy complimentary food and music at Race for a Ride’s giveaway celebration event:

WHO: Brotherton Cadillac

http://www.brothertoncadillac.com

WHAT: Race for a Ride Giveaway Celebration Event

www.raceforaride.com

· Brad Brotherton will present the Race for a Ride winner with a new Cadillac CTS.

· Food truck will be serving up complimentary BBQ.

· DJ Mayhem from Movin 92.5 will be broadcasting live from Brotherton Cadillac.

· SeaGals will be available for autographs and photos.

Number of entry tweets per nonprofit:

· The Arthritis Foundation – 2500

· Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center – 3397

· The Moyer Foundation – 4290

· Seattle Children’s Hospital – 3653

· Special Olympics of Washington – 2916

WHERE: Brotherton Cadillac

215 SW 12^th Street

Renton, WA 98057

WHEN: Friday, March 25, noon to 2 p.m.

Event is free.

About Race for a Ride

A campaign to raise money and awareness for local charities by offering the chance to give and win a Cadillac on Twitter: Participants entered by mentioning their favorite of the five charities in a tweet: The Arthritis Foundation, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, The Moyer Foundation, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and Special Olympics of Washington. Winner was selected from the pool of tweets mentioning the nonprofit that raised the most money through the website. Contest ended February 28, 2011.

About Brotherton Cadillac

Brotherton Cadillac is a fourth generation family-owned dealership, serving the Puget Sound for over 90 years. The dealership sells new and pre-owned vehicles including Cadillac, Buick and GMC. Located in Renton, Washington since 2001, the dealership provides service and accessories for GM products. Visit their website for additional information at http://www.brothertoncadillac.com.

About Nology Media

Nology Media is a content publishing, measurement, and marketing agency using social media tools and platforms to intimately connect brands with their audiences. Based in Seattle, Washington, the agency plans, executes and manages each client’s social media strategy as a key component of their broader marketing mix. Clients include leading consumer, technology, health care, non-profit, financial service and insurance companies. Visit the website for additional information, http://nologymedia.com/.

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Fresh Halibut On Deck at El Gaucho and Waterfront Seafood Grill

Exquisite Preparations Showcase Versatility of Popular Alaskan Fish

SEATTLE, Wash.—(March 17, 2011)— With the arrival of the Alaska halibut season, diners who have been floundering for an exciting dinner destination can hardly do better than to drop their line at Seattle’s Waterfront Seafood Grill (http://www.waterfrontpier70.com) or any El Gaucho location (http://www.elgaucho.com).

“El Gaucho is so renowned for serving the finest beef that many people aren’t aware that we offer a wide array of delectable fish and seafood preparations, from our famous ‘wicked’ shrimp and tuna tartare to Dungeness crab cakes, a daily fresh fish, and that classic steak escort, lobster tail. And now, each location is offering exceptional halibut dishes that Chef Peter Levine at Waterfront would be proud to serve,” notes Ken Sharp, Corporate Chef of Mackay Restaurants.

With excellent, firm-yet-flaky texture that holds up to a variety of cooking methods and boasting a sweetness that works with a wide range of ingredients, halibut truly shines when its snow-white flesh is treated as a blank canvas for a mélange of flavors—which is precisely what the talented chefs at Waterfront Seafood Grill and all El Gaucho locations demonstrate with this year’s spring halibut specials:

· An El Gaucho Seattle preparation takes grilled Alaskan halibut and tops it with a sautéed combination of chanterelle mushrooms, pancetta, garlic and shallots, finished with lemon juice, butter and chopped basil. Chanterelles in this dish lend an earthy, regional flavor: These distinctive fungi flourish in the damp, coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest, a major North American mushroom region.

· El Gaucho Bellevue gives their grilled halibut filet the bright, fresh flavors and cheerful colors of spring, serving it on a bed of shaved asparagus-and-fennel salad—accented with dill, parsley, lemon and olive oil—and ringed by the sweet contrast of charred cherry tomatoes, all finished with a generous drizzle of lemon-thyme oil.

· El Gaucho Portland continues the theme of spring and sparkling flavors by serving their grilled halibut with haricots verts, citrus beurre blanc and the deep, sweet tang of 10-year-aged balsamic vinegar.

· Not to be outdone, Waterfront Seafood Grill’s Executive Chef Peter Levine borrowed his inspiration from a favorite annual Waterfront event— ‘Lobster-Maine-ia,’ formerly known as ‘Lobsterpalooza.’ A topping of sautéed fresh Maine lobster, fresh roasted corn, sweet peas, bacon, sweet butter and a squeeze of tangy lemon juice beautifully complement the flavor and texture of seared, roasted halibut.

· As wonderfully rich as that sounds, for sheer decadence, El Gaucho Tacoma’s halibut served ‘Oscar’-style, that is, with Dungeness crab and creamy, buttery sauce Béarnaise, can’t be beat. With its anise-like flavor, the tarragon in the sauce makes a perfect companion for the meaty white fish.

See the full list of halibut dishes and prices.

The Pacific Halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepus) is an excellent source of minerals and high-quality protein, is low in fat, calories, sodium and, unlike most other popular finfish, contains very few bones.

El Gaucho® is the Northwest’s steakhouse legacy focused on elegant, old-school, tableside service for people celebrating their lives. The menu highlights 28-Day Dry-Aged Certified Angus Beef® Prime steaks, cutting-edge fresh seafood selections from sustainable sources, and extensive wine and single malt Scotch lists. Check the website for specific hours at the Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue and Portland locations. For more information, call (206) 728-1337 or visit www.elgaucho.com.

Open since 2000, the Waterfront Seafood Grill, located on Pier 70 in Seattle, features outstanding fresh seafood accompanied by sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Winner of the Washington Wine Commission’s Restaurant of the Year, the restaurant is open seven days a week at 4 p.m., with dinner service starting at 5 p.m. For reservations and more information call (206) 956-9171 or visit www.waterfrontpier70.com.

Follow El Gaucho and Waterfront Seafood Grill Online

Website: www.elgaucho.com | www.waterfrontpier70.com

Twitter: @ElGauchoSteak | @Waterfront70

Facebook: El Gaucho | Waterfront Seafood Grill

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Spring Halibut Dishes

El Gaucho Seattle

Grilled Halibut ($45)—with sautéed chanterelles, pancetta, shallots and lemon butter

Grilled Halibut ($45)—with soy-orange gastrique and petite herb salad

El Gaucho Bellevue

Grilled Halibut ($54)—with shaved asparagus-fennel salad and lemon-dill vinaigrette, and charred cherry tomatoes, drizzled with lemon-thyme oil

El Gaucho Portland

Grilled Halibut ($42)—with haricots verts, citrus beurre blanc, and 10-year balsamic vinegar

El Gaucho Tacoma

Alaskan Halibut ($45)—served ‘Oscar’-style with Dungeness crab and sauce Béarnaise

Alaskan Halibut ($40)—with lemon-artichoke sauce

Waterfront Seafood Grill

Roasted Halibut ($38)—with fresh Maine lobster, corn, sweet peas, bacon and sweet butter

Wine Storage Bellevue Announces ‘Steve’s Picks’

Upscale Facility Offers Wine Storage Promotion Along With Spring Wines Selected by El Gaucho Wine Director, Steve Smith

BELLEVUE, Wash.—(March 15, 2011)—Wine Storage Bellevue and El Gaucho have devised the perfect wine pairing: The state-of-the-art wine storage facility and Bellevue restaurant recognized for its outstanding wine list are offering exclusive deals on four special wines and a locker rental promotion that provides customers 25 percent off their first six months’ rent.

El Gaucho Wine Director Steve Smith selected the quartet of exceptional wines based upon their incredible value and appropriateness for the season. Guests may purchase any number of bottles or combinations of ‘Steve’s Picks’ through El Gaucho Bellevue by stopping into the restaurant or phoning the front desk at (425) 455-2715. The wine will then be properly stored at Wine Storage Bellevue for pick up between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

As an added bonus, Wine Storage Bellevue is offering exclusively to ‘Steve’s Picks’ buyers ’25 percent off their first six months’ rent. Instead of arranging a pick-up time, those who elect to take advantage of the promotion can have their wine purchases added directly to a private, all-steel wine locker, where contents will be held at optimal wine storage conditions. Locker pricing starts at just $21 per month.

The inaugural selection of ‘Steve’s Picks’ provide something for virtually everyone. “We are pleased to partner with Wine Storage Bellevue to offer our loyal customers fantastic wines and an opportunity to get to know a truly exceptional wine storage facility on the Eastside. I had connoisseurs and collectors specifically in mind when I chose these wines, which are an incredible value right now because of the wine surplus,” says Smith.

The Hot Deal

Paradigm Merlot 2008

$36

This artful Napa Valley winery navigated the wild weather of 2008 to produce a lovely merlot with soft tannins and suggestions of strawberries. This wine normally retails for more than $100.

The Collector

Pahlmeyer Red 2006

$75

This complex red reveals sweet, smoky aromas and a long, heady finish. It’s a wine with longevity, and will realize its full potential with proper storage.

The Collector

Evening Land ‘La Source’ Pinot Noir 2008

$66

This Gold Label wine from Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley is no longer available from the winery. This is a rare opportunity to add #32 on Wine Spectator’s 2010 Top 100 list to a collection.

An Everyday Wine

Charles Smith Velvet Devil Merlot 2009

$12

This explosive bottle is loaded with complex flavors, and represents the excitement that surrounds Washington Merlots.

A limited number of bottles are available at these retail prices, offered exclusively through El Gaucho’s partnership with Wine Storage Bellevue. The four selected wines are currently on El Gaucho’s wine list but are not available at these featured prices while dining at the restaurant.

Wine Storage Bellevue offers secure, climate-controlled, state-of-the-art, all-steel storage lockers for valued wine collections of all sizes. Prices begin at $24 per month. Rental includes use of the generously appointed 1,000-square-foot Wine Resource Center and Tasting Room, equipped with a computer and internet access. Wine Storage Bellevue is situated inside Stor-House Self Storage, located at 1614 118^th Avenue SE, Bellevue, Washington. Access is available daily from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.; Wine Resource Center open 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., or by special appointment. For more information call (425) 453-2242 visit http://www.winestoragebellevue.com.

Follow Wine Storage Bellevue online:

http://www.winestoragebellevue.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bellevue-WA/Wine-Storage-Bellevue/124800290869549

http://www.twitter.com/winestorageblvu

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Africa Answers, Jason Mesnick of ‘The Bachelor’ Team Up to Give Away a Trip to South Africa

Facebook Contest Invites Fans to ‘Like, Follow, Play’ For a Chance to Win a 9-Day/8-Night Dream Vacation Package for Two to South Africa including Cape Town

BELLEVUE, Wash.—(March 14, 2011)— For people who have always dreamed of African safaris, Africa Answers (http://www.africaanswers.com) announces ‘Like, Follow, Play,’ a thrilling contest, the grand prize for which is a nine-day, eight-night South Africa vacation package for two, valued at $12,000.

The contest is timed to coincide with the finale of Season 15 of ‘The Bachelor’ on ABC, which was one of two episodes filmed in South Africa with Brad Womack and the final two women vying for his heart, Emily Maynard and Chantal O’Brien.

Taking part in the sweepstakes is easy. When logged in, Facebook users simply LIKE Africa Answers on Facebook, FOLLOW Africa Answers on Twitter and PLAY by correctly answering daily video questions that are posted on the Africa Answers Facebook page by Africa Answers Business Development Manager Jason Mesnick, from Season 13 of ‘The Bachelor.’

To enter, go to the Africa Answers Video Page, watch Jason’s videos, which contain questions about ‘The Bachelor,’ South Africa or both, then click the ‘Sweepstakes’ button above to provide the answers. Each correct answer earns one entry into the sweepstakes.

The Africa Answers ‘Like, Follow, Play’ Grand Prize* consists of an overnight, round-trip flight on South African Airways between Washington, D.C. (Dulles International Airport) or New York (JFK International Airport) and Cape Town, South Africa, as well as:

· Two (2) nights at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. 5-star accommodations along the Whale Coast, two hours from Cape Town, that combines luxury, excellent cuisine and an environment of planet-friendly conservation.

· Two (2) nights at L’Ermitage Franschhoek Chateau & Villas. Enjoy luxurious accommodations and the finest wines of South Africa in what some call the most beautiful village in the country.

· Two (2) nights at a Newmark Cape Town property on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Explore Cape Town, the most beautiful metropolis in South Africa, and take in the view from Table Mountain.

· Two (2) nights at the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve on Kruger National Park. This legendary property is situated in the world-renowned 65000 hectare Sabi Sand Wildtuin in the South-Western section of the Kruger National Park, is a wildlife oasis, where you can observe at close quarters the age-old natural relationship between predator and prey.

*In the event any accommodation is unavailable, the winner will be hosted in a property of equal value.

Eligibility:  The contest is open to persons 18 years of age or older.

Sweepstakes Entry Period:  March 7, 2011 at 5:00 a.m. (PST) until March 31, 2011 at 8:59 a.m. (PDT)

“This is an incredible opportunity for fans of ‘The Bachelor’ to fall in love with South Africa and experience the sights, sounds, tastes, and romance that Brad and the ladies are enjoying during the exciting finale of Season 15. Molly and I traveled there on our honeymoon, so I can say from firsthand experience that South Africa truly is an unforgettable trip of a lifetime,” confirms Jason Mesnick, who found love with his wife, the former Molly Malaney, in Season 13 of ‘The Bachelor.’

A dream South Africa vacation may be only a Sweepstakes button-click away: Enter now, and don’t forget to visit the Africa Answers website (http://www.africaanswers.com) for information on other fantastic Africa vacation packages.

Africa Answers employs seasoned travel experts that customize tours for independent travelers—ranging from unique, hands-on holidays to more traditional itineraries—and for groups of virtually any size. For further information, email info@africaanswers.com or call (866) 427-2540.

Follow Africa Answers Online:

Website: http://www.AfricaAnswers.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AfricaAnswers

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AfricaAnswers

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/AfricaAnswers

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/AfricaAnswers

Blogs: http://www.AfricaAnswers.com/travel-blogs

Jason Mesnick’s Blog: http://www.jasonsjobblog.com

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PersonalWineBottles.com Offers a Unique Way to Say Thank You, Congratulations and Best Wishes for Weddings

Customized Wine Bottles Available For Single-Bottle and Small-Batch Orders

GIG HARBOR, Wash.—(March 9, 2011)— As the wedding season draws near, PersonalWineBottles.com (http://www.PersonalWineBottles.com) offers a versatile gift idea that is uniquely suited to say “congratulations” to newlyweds, as gifts for bridal parties and groomsmen, wedding showers, parents, or anyone—wine lover and non wine-drinker alike—taking part in the wedding who deserves recognition or a heartfelt thank you.

Going well beyond the customized printed wine label, PersonalWineBottles.com specializes in the production of single, custom wine bottles that are hand-etched and hand-painted to create a work of art that remains a treasured memento/souvenir long after the contents have been enjoyed.

The process is simple:

1. Choose a Design. Customers select from ten nuptial-themed design categories, a range that embraces ‘Will You Marry Me?’ ‘Congratulations,’ ‘Just Married’ and more.

2. Customize and choose a wine. Etched bottles can be further customized with two lines of text, allowing for a personalized message. Customers may also order a design without additional customization. All designs and messages are hand-etched and hand-painted on the bottle. Partner wineries are: L’Ecole N° 41, Flying Fish, Hedges Family Estate, Northwest Cellars, Northwest Totem Cellars, Sequoia Grove and Spanish Sons; options also include non-alcoholic varieties from ARIEL Vineyards and Fre, which can be enjoyed by everyone.

3. Place Order. Design and personal messaging is $75, plus the cost of the selected wine, which ranges from $7– $37.50. Gift bags may be purchased for an additional $2.50. From order to shipping, please allow up to seven days. Delivery and prices are based on personal requirements and are selected at checkout.

Let PersonalWineBottles.com help take some of the stress out of wedding planning, showers, and wedding gifts, by choosing customized wine gifts that recipients are sure to cherish for years to come: A fine wine in a hand-painted, hand-etched bottle also makes a perfect way to say ‘happy anniversary.’

Ordering Information:

PersonalWineBottles.com ships to all states that permit interstate wine shipping; alcohol-free wines may be shipped to all 50 states. Customized wine bottles are shipped through UPS, and an adult signature is required upon receipt of delivery by anyone 21 years of age or older for all alcohol orders. The company accepts most major credit cards; personal checks and money orders are not accepted. According to Washington State law, taxes must be collected on the entire purchase regardless of ultimate destination. Sales tax is 8.4 percent.

PersonalWineBottles.com is a Washington State-based, privately held company that custom produces single-quantity wine bottles by hand, creating a treasured gift that friends, co-workers and family won’t forget. To order a custom designed bottle of wine, go to www.PersonalWineBottles.com. For questions, visit the contact page on the website. Responses will be made as soon as possible during business hours (excluding holidays), Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST. For weddings, parties, holidays or gifts, PersonalWineBottles.com makes any occasion extra special.

Follow Personalized Wine Bottles Online:

Website: www.PersonalWineBottles.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/mywinebottles

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/PersonalWineBottlescom/145977948766812?ref=ts

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/personalwinebottles/

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