Maryhill Winery toasts Mariners fans with release of two limited edition wines

The Seattle Mariners today announced a new partnership with Wine by Design with the official release of the Seattle Mariners Wine collection, which includes 2011 Columbia Valley Red and White wines. Wine by Design, the wine licensee for Major League Baseball Properties, partnered with Maryhill Winery, one of the largest most visited wineries in Washington State. The wines are now available for purchase at mlb.com/wine, and will soon be at select local retailers.

"Washington State has such a strong presence in winemaking, so we wanted to identify a wine partner that would truly resonate with the local fan base," said Diane Karle, founder and CEO of Wine by Design. "Maryhill was recently recognized at the San Francisco International Wine Competition as Winery of the Year, so this match for the Seattle Mariners wine collection was a no-brainer."

"If there's one thing that Major League Baseball and Maryhill wine have in common, it's great fans," said Craig Leuthold, co-owner of Maryhill Winery. "It's a privilege for us to partner with these organizations and offer Mariners fans two exceptional wines that reflect their hometown pride."

Both wines will be available at Safeco Field beginning with the August 25th homestand. They will also be featured at tastings during select games and during special events at the ballpark. The wine was recently featured at the luncheon to honor the induction of Lou Piniella as the eighth member of the Mariners Hall of Fame, on August 8. Mariners Reserve wine was presented as a gift to Mr. Piniella.

Mariners Wine Collection
The 2011 White Wine is a refreshing blend of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of citrus, pear and melon. The 2011 Red Wine is a fruit-forward light-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc with flavors of mixed-berry, caramel and cinnamon. Both wines were hand-handcrafted by winemaker Richard Batchelor of Maryhill Winery.

Maryhill Winery
Established in 1999 by Craig and Vicki Leuthold, Maryhill Winery is the 10th largest winery in Washington and produces 90,000 cases annually. Nestled among rows of vines along the stunning Columbia River in Goldendale, Wash., Maryhill is a popular destination for wine tastings, tours and special events, with an adjacent 4,000-seat outdoor amphitheater that hosts a world-class summer concert series and free live music on the vine-covered terrace every weekend (Memorial Day - September). Maryhill's 3,000 sq. ft. tasting room and 1,200 sq. ft. Reserve Room draw more than 75,000 wine enthusiasts from around the globe each year, ranking among the top five most visited wineries in the state. Maryhill sources more than 30 different varietals of grapes from some of the most highly-regarded vineyards in the state, producing nearly 40 different wines, and has claimed more than 2,000 awards since its first vintage in 2001.

Wine by Design
Wine by Design (WBD) is a lifestyle-marketing agency that creates business opportunities and brand loyalty through the world of wine. WBD provides tailored brand experiences, events, limited releases and strategic consulting. Founded by Diane Karle, WBD is based in the heart of Napa Valley, one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world, and home to many of its industry's leaders. WBD has cultivated a network of experts to create individually targeted business solutions. Visit winebydesignco.com to learn more.

Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners play in the American League West Division of Major League Baseball. The Mariners home ballpark, Safeco Field, is consistently recognized as one of the best ballparks in baseball because of its fan-friendly design, great sightlines and beautiful setting on the shores of Puget Sound. The Mariners, hospitality partner Centerplate, and noted Seattle Chef and restaurateur Ethan Stowell, continue a successful collaboration that has brought restaurant quality, locally-inspired menus and beverages to the ballpark setting. This partnership has earned Safeco Field accolades from fans as well as media for the selection of food, wine and beer available at the ballpark.

Major League Baseball Properties
The Major League Baseball Clubs formed Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) in 1966 as the Clubs' agent for marketing and trademark licensing and protection. Major League Baseball Properties is responsible for managing consumer licensing activities, developing national advertising campaigns, cultivating sponsorship opportunities with major consumer brands and corporations, growing the game and the business of baseball outside the United States and creating national marketing programs in conjunction with Clubs, broadcast rights holders and national sponsors. MLBP also operates a full-service video and audio production unit (Major League Baseball Productions), a publishing division and stock photo-licensing agency, and manages logistics for the All-Star Game and World Series as well as all other special events. For more information on Major League Baseball, log on to mlb.mlb.com.