California agriculture and tourism leaders welcome first ever delegation of Cuban sommeliers!

Californians Building Bridges (CBB), a non-profit dedicated to expanding the appreciation for Cuban culture, will host the first ever delegation of Cuban sommeliers to visit California July 20th-26th.  Darius Anderson, the founder of CBB, noted, “This trip is the culmination of years of hard work and many visits to the Island of Cuba and we can’t to see our guests here in California wine country.”

Leaders from agriculture, wine and tourism have added their welcomes to a growing list of hosts.  Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross says “On behalf of the vintners and wine grape growers of the Golden State, I am pleased to welcome the first delegation of Cuban sommeliers to California. We exported a record $1.5B of California wines in 2013, and we look forward to sharing our award winning vintages with wine lovers in Cuba in the years ahead as well.”  California wine leaders hosting this group include Wine Institute, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Vintners, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Santa Barbara County Vintners, Paso Robles Wine Alliance and the Guild of Sommeliers as well as the following wineries: Michael Mondavi Family Wines, MacMurray Ranch, Franciscan Estate Winery, Seghesio Family wines, Gloria Ferrer, Saintsbury, Garnet, Black Stallion, Buena Vista Winery, Ram’s Gate, Russian Hill and Benziger Family Winery.

Also welcoming this delegation is VisitCa President and CEO Caroline Beteta who commented, “We’re excited to welcome the first-ever delegation of Cuban wine buyers to California’s world class wine country.  There’s growing allure in agri-tourism here in the Golden State and our wines are at the root of it. This delegation from Cuba is in for a treat!”