LANE PR Generates Big Results for Wines from Spain

PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwire - April 6, 2009) - LANE PR, the public relations agency for Wines from Spain, a promotional division of the Trade Commission of Spain, works to increase the awareness of Spanish wines in the United States. In 2008, nearly 1,300 press articles mentioned or featured Spanish wines, reaching more than 200 million Americans. As a result, both Spanish wine imports and value increased in the U.S. in 2008 as compared to 2007. The public relations tactics LANE PR employed for Wines from Spain include:

-- Press Tours: LANE PR coordinated two press tours for Wines from Spain in the past 12 months. The first, which traveled to the Climate Change and Wine Conference in Barcelona, included Katrin Naelapaa (Wines from Spain), Melissa Clark (freelance), Alice Feiring (freelance), Paul Franson (Wines & Vines), Jonathan Gold (LA Weekly), Ted Loos (Town & Country) and Alan Tardi (Food Arts). Jean Bracamonte, of Wines from Spain, hosted the trip to MadridFusión, which included Leslie Sbrocco (Check, Please!), Heather John (Bon Appétit), Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg (Authors of What to Drink with What You Eat).

-- Far From Ordinary Wine Guide Book Launch: Wines from Spain hosted a book launch party for the second edition of its Wines from Spain Far from Ordinary Wine Guide. LANE PR coordinated a media and trade event at Lladró in New York City, which was attend by representatives from Wine Spectator, Forbes and ForbesLife, Gourmet, Bon Appetit, Beverage World, Food Arts, Sante, Ladies Home Journal and Wine Enthusiast. Since the launch, 35,000 copies of the wine guide have been distributed to wine professionals and consumers throughout the United States.

-- Spanish Superstar Luncheon: Three Spanish "superstar" importers were honored by Wines from Spain at event in May 2008 at Per Se in New York City. Steve Metzler of Classical Wines from Spain, Jorge Ordoñez of Fines Estates from Spain and Eric Solomon of European Cellars were praised for their efforts in bringing Spanish wines to the U.S. LANE PR secured top tier media attendance, including Wine & Spirits, Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, Wine Spectator, Bloomberg News and the Food Network.

-- Aspen Food & Wine Classic: Wines from Spain hosts an annual media party at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colo. featuring renowned chef and host of the PBS series "Made in Spain," José Andrés, who is often credited for bringing Spanish tapas, or small plates, to the U.S. Chef Andrés prepared traditional paella and tapas for a handful of VIP and media guests, including Chef Jean George, Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, Seamus Mullen of New York's Boqueria and cheese connoisseur Laura Werlin.

-- South Beach Wine & Food Festival: Spanish wines took center stage at the 2009 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Feb. 19-22 in Miami. Special guests Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain cut the ribbon in front of the Wines from Spain Pavilion to officially open the Wine Spectator Trade Tasting Day at the festival. Media from around the U.S. and Spain attended the ribbon cutting and photo opportunity.

About LANE PR

LANE PR is an independent firm specializing in public relations-driven marketing strategies with offices in New York and Portland, Ore. Founded in 1990 by Wendy Lane, LANE PR provides integrated marketing communications and public relations for a host of industries, including technology, business, consumer and non-profit clients. The agency has won several awards during its 18 years, including the 2009 PR Week Young PR Professional of the Year, 2008 PRSA Bronze Anvil Award for outstanding public relations tactics and the 2008 Gold Bulldog Award for Excellence in Media Relations. For more information about LANE PR, visit www.lanepr.com.