Wine Lovers of NYC Announces: Rh'ne Valley Vineyards Moves to Manhattan in May Showcasing Award-Winning Wines in Bespoke Rh'ne Valley Vineyards Bistro at Pierre Loti Wi

Chelsea Drinks Projects (http://chelseadrinks.com) is excited to announce its debut collaboration with Rhne Valley Wines for a two-weeklong engagement: Rhne Valley Vineyards Bistro at Pierre Loti Wine Bar Chelsea (https://www.rhonevalleybistronyc.com), staring the region's critically acclaimed wines through a series of tastings, learning and networking events - all geared toward wine professionals, and enthusiasts. A Happy Hour kickoff will take place on Thursday, May 11th, 4-7 pm, at the Pierre Loti Wine Bar, at 258 West 15th Street at 8th Ave., in Chelsea, New York City.

Rhne Valley Vineyards Bistro at Pierre Loti Wine Bar Chelsea is made possible by the Chelsea Drinks Project (CDP), a newly formed company conceived by three experienced professionals, and noted experts, in the wine, food, beverage and restaurant service industries: Orhan Cakir (restaurateur), Robin Kelley O'Connor (wine & spirits expert and educator), and Barney Lehrer (wine expert and operating partner).

Like a great wine blend, or carefully crafted cocktail, CDP is dedicated to working in collaboration with wine and spirits partners to bring out the very best of their product offerings.

"Chelsea Drinks Project was created with the recognition that it's not always practical for the North America wine & spirits trade and enthusiasts to come to vineyards or distilleries, so we're bringing the vineyards and distilleries to New York, for an immersive experience a chance to network and taste. We're particularly proud to be working with Rhne Valley Vineyards to bring their wonderful wines to the convenience of New York City," said Robin Kelley O'Connor, Chelsea Drinks Projects.

"In a business that is highly sensory and relationship-driven, nothing beats face-to-face encounters and letting the wine speak for itself. We're grateful to have the trio behind the Chelsea Drinks Project because they each bring their own brand of expertise to the table. We're especially looking forward to connecting with the wine community in the comfort of our own specially designed, and designated, bistro over a two-week period, an initiative that is a first for us," said Daphn Payan of Rhone Valley Wines.

The wine trade, enthusiasts and members of the media are invited, and welcome to attend a series of Happy Hours to be held from 4 7pm at Rhone Valley Vineyards Bistro at Pierre Loti Wine Bar Chelsea, located at 258 West 15th Street, just east of 8th Avenue, near the 14th Street Stations of the A,C,E and L and 1 and 2 subway lines. (Please see the full calendar of events for details at http://bit.ly/2pjHUOQ.) There will also be a sweepstakes for a winner to win a trip to the Rhne Valley, starting and concluding in conjunction with the series.

Calendar of Events

• Sun., May 14: Consumer seminar on Rhone Reds, Wine Lovers of NY
• Mon., May 15: Wine maker dinner (Meffre & Colomobo wines)
• Tues., May 16: Wine maker dinner (Christophe Pichon)
• Sun., May 21: Consumer seminar on Rhone Whites, Wine Lovers of NY
• Mon., May 22: Sommelier late night event, TBD
• Tues., May 23: New York Women's Culinary Alliance Dinner 6:30-8:30pm
• Wed., May 24: Final Happy Hour; Sweepstakes closes

About the Chelsea Drinks Projects Team

ORHAN CAKIR is president of the Pierre Loti Hospitality Group, owners of the Pierre Loti wine bars and restaurants and a new restaurant in Delray Beach, Florida. A native of Istanbul, Orhan has been in the restaurant business in New York for more than 20 years.

ROBIN KELLEY O'CONNOR (http://rkovine. com) is one of the world's leading wine and spirits experts and educators. As a global wine specialist he is in constant demand as speaker and advisor to wine producers, regions, corporations, collectors and trade organizations all over the world. Robin has served as Lead Specialist & Head of Wine, Americas for Christie's Auction House, Director of Sales and Education for Sherry-Lehmann, the "Oldest Wine Store in NYC," Director of Education and Private Client Portfolio Advisor at Italian Wine Merchants and was Trade Liaison and Director of Trade and Consumer Education in the Americas for the Bordeaux Wine Bureau (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux) for 20 years. He also served as president of the Society of Wine Educators.

BARNEY LEHRER, director of Wine Lovers of NYC (http://wineny.com) is a freelance wine journalist and expert on international ecommerce. He has a Certificate in Wines and Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust of London, is an annual judge at the Concours du Vin in Orange, France, the annual competition for wines from the Rhone regions, and he owns a house in the southern Rhone area.

For more information contact: Barney Lehrer barney@pierrelotiwinebar.com 917-293-6588

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