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{ SOMMjournal.com } 59 Along with the extensive educational content included in the academy, the real lessons are in being immersed in the charming Alexander Valley itself. "It's the personal anecdotes, the face with the name and the connection created that [buyers] then associate with the wines, which is what they remember. I get to show them the grapes, show them where the wine is made, show them the dogs or kids or family members that put their heart and soul into making exceptional wines. They now have tangibles to associate with the feeling they have about the wine and this jewel of a valley," lends Denise Trione of Trione Vineyards and Winery. Rachel Kelley of Robert Young Estate Winery expands upon the reason behind the Cabernet Academy: "We would like to continue promoting Alexander Valley as a world-class region for growing and making Cabernet Sauvignon. We want our quality and rich history to stand out among other regions in California, drawing consumers' attention to the region's extensive farming and viticultural roots." Many of the participating wineries have been farming in Alexander Valley for decades, and several of the winemakers actually attended primary school and high school together. Sharing the close-knit ties of this farming community with wine buyers from across the country—the wineries love to see that newly-minted education shared with consumers in the wine buyers' home markets as well. Harry H. Wetzel IV, Assistant Winemaker for Alexander Valley Vineyards, looks to a specific type of wine buyer. "We invited buyers that not only sell a lot of wine, but educate, offer tastings and promote wine and wine regions. We looked at markets where the buyers and wine drinkers are interested in more than the deal they can get on the bottle, places that appreci - ate the story, families and places behind the bottles." Trione adds, "We are working hard to get the word out that Alexander Valley is Cab country. In the market, the phrase I hear again and again is that Alexander Valley Cab overdelivers and is an exceptional value. That doesn't mean it's cheap; it means that you are getting better wine for the price compared to other Cabernet growing regions." So what is the ideal lesson for an attendee to take home? "Our goal is to immerse attendees into the Alexander Valley wine culture, to tell the personal story behind our wines and remind them that Napa is not the only place to find world-class Cabernet Sauvignon in California," shares Kelley. Between the in-depth seminars, the extensive tastings and the family-style lunches and dinners, the Alexander Valley Cabernet Academy will cer tainly fascinate the curious wine buyers, and the memories made will make for sincere tableside stories while introducing guests to the high-performing value of Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Look for a full report on the Alexander Valley Cabernet Academy in the August issue of The Somm Journal. The Weather and Micro- Climates seminar at Hawkes Pyramid Vineyard. The Elevation and Topography seminar at Rodney Strong's Rockaway Vineyard, with panelists. Rodney Strong Winemaker Greg Morthole lending insight. "Our goal is to immerse attendees into the Alexander Valley wine culture, to tell the personal story behind our wines and remind them that Napa is not the only place to find world-class Cabernet Sauvignon in California." —Rachel Kelley of Robert Young Estate Winery