McManis Family Vineyards to sponsor LB race
McManis Family Vineyards is a grower and vintner of premium varietal wine grapes grown in the Northern Interior of California. The company was founded in 1990 by Ron & Jamie McManis – fourth generation family farmers
In 1995, McManis Family Vineyards sold its first grapes to several prominent coastal wineries and their success soon led them to explore the establishment of a winery in 1998, allowing them to offer not only their quality wine grapes as finished wine, but also their own bottled wine.
Jeff Runquist, winemaker at the J Lohr winery from 1990 to 1996, soon became an integral member of their team, with his experience with premium winemaking helping guide the winery's development. Today, using state-of-the-art equipment, ultra-premium winemaking methods — featuring whole cluster pressing, small lot fermentation and traditional barrel fermentation — prevail.
"We're delighted to welcome the McManis Family Vineyards to the Grand Prix," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. "And I know that our fans will find their excellent wines to be the ideal complement to their weekend experience here in Long Beach."
The initial release of the McManis Family Vineyards brand in the fall of 2001 included a Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. All of the McManis Family Vineyard's wines are produced in a very "fruit forward" style with a goal to providing consumers with a wine that will not only go well with a variety of food, but will also taste great by itself.
Admission to all Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach activities is FREE on Thurs., April 16. Admission prices for Friday through Sunday have not changed from 2008, and range from $25 for a Friday-only general admission ticket to $125 for a three-day ticket, which includes Saturday and Sunday reserved seating on upper levels of the grandstands. Pre-paid parking packages are also available.
In addition to the downtown walk-up service, tickets can be ordered via credit card by using the toll-free ticket hotline, (888) 82-SPEED. Tickets can also be purchased on-line at www.gplb.com or at Ticketmaster outlets. Handicapped seating, IndyCar Paddock Passes, Super Photo tickets and a wide variety of hospitality club packages are also available.
A ticket brochure and Fan Guide that includes circuit map, ticket prices and order form can also be obtained by calling the hotline.