International Chili Champions Attend California Championship Chili Cook-Off at Woodbridge Winery

Woodbridge Winery announced that they will host the California State Championship Chili Cook-Off. Scheduled for Saturday, October 20th and open to the public at no cost, this event will bring more than 25 culinary teams together to compete and raise funds for the Lodi Public Library Foundation. Planning to compete in this year’s event include the reigning 2007 Terlingua International Chili Champion Dana Polcheck, Roger Foltz, the former 2004 Terlingua International Chili Champion and Alex Tenalski, the 2007 California State Chili Champion. This will be the second consecutive year in which Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi is a primary sponsor of the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI), a non profit organization aimed to promote chili and raise money for charity. Emcee and DJ Bryan Fagundes of Armadillo Studios will host the entire event. "Hosting the State Championship Chili Cook-Off at Woodbridge Winery again is a great honor,” said Larry Pilmaier, Visitors Center Manager of Woodbridge Winery. "Not only is it a fun event but it also helps support a worthy cause like the Lodi Public Library. With champions like Dana Polcheck, Roger Foltz and Alex Tenalski, it is sure to draw a huge crowd of both cooks and interested fans. And sampling their delicious recipes will be a pleasure for everyone.” Dana Polcheck was named the 2006 Terlingua International Chili Champion last year at the Chili Appreciation Society International Cook-Off in Terlingua, Texas, for her award-winning dish "Lady Bug Chili.” During this year’s event at Woodbridge Winery, she will be preparing her infamous chili for fans and cooks alike. In addition to Dana, Roger Foltz and Alex Tenalski will also be dishing up their award winning chili concoctions. To be awarded the title "California State Chili Champion,” cooks must reside in California and cook their recipes from scratch on the day of the event. Each cup of chili will be evaluated by a panel of judges in a blind tasting based on aroma, consistency, color, taste and aftertaste. The three California teams with the highest scores will qualify for the Terlingua International Chili Cook-Off in Terlingua, Texas, on November 3, 2008; as well as receive an etched 3 liter bottle of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Select Vineyard Series Red 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon. "CASI’s slogan is Chili, Charity, and Fun! which is the perfect description for what people can expect from this wonderful event,” said Alan Dean, Executive Director of CASI. "CASI is proud to have Woodbridge as a sponsor. Woodbridge Winery provided the perfect setting for last year’s event and we know this year will be even more successful.” Adding to the fun and excitement of the day, the competition will include a ‘People’s Choice Award,’ in which guests can vote for their favorite chili recipes. Robert Mondavi founded Woodbridge Winery with the notion of making friendly, great tasting wines that everyone could enjoy with their every day meals. As the primary sponsor for the Chili Cook-Off event, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi reinforces its commitment to pair its wines with American’s favorite food – and chili is no exception. Guests attending the Chili Cook-Off will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique car show onsite. Classic models on display will include Ford, Chevy and Mopar. Woodbridge will also be hosting the International Harvester Tractor Club, a collector’s network of vintage tractors. CASI has had a mission to promote chili and raise money for charity for more than 39 years. Each year, CASI sanctions over 500 chili cook offs around the United States and surrounding territories and raises more than $1,000,000 annually for local charities. The Chili Cook-Off event at Woodbridge Winery lasts from 9 am to 4 pm, with judging beginning at 2 pm. For more information, contact the Woodbridge Visitors Center at 209-365-2839 or go to www.woodbridgewines.com or www.chili.org. About Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi is produced at the Woodbridge Winery in Lodi County, California, and is distributed by Centerra Wine Company, headquartered in Canandaigua, New York. Centerra Wine Company is the largest selling division of Constellation Wines U.S., focusing on the popular, premium and specialty wine categories. An operating division of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) (NYSE:STZ.B), Constellation Wines U.S. encompasses the four U.S. wine businesses: Icon Estates, Centerra Wine Company, Pacific Wine Partners, and North Lake Wines. Leading Centerra brands include Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Alice White, Arbor Mist, Cook's, Covey Run, Ravenswood, Vendange, Toasted Head and Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi.