Pey leads wine trade mission to Cuba

Pey leads wine trade mission to Cuba

Jonathan Pey of Textbook Vineyards, standing in front of the Ministry of
the Interior on Plaza de la Revolucion in Havana.

Pey addressed more than 250 Cuban restaurateurs, hoteliers, retailers,
importers and government officials. A number of other California
vintners also attended.

In addition, newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Cuba Jeffrey DeLaurentis
addressed the group.

"To be one of the first Californian winemakers to visit Cuba and address
their hospitality industry and government was an honor," said Pey.

"My goal was to share the incredible history and diversity of the Napa
Valley wine region," he said. "Incredibly, for most of the attendees,
this was the very first time they have ever seen or tasted a California
wine."

The California Wine Symposium was held in Havana from Feb. 1-4 at the
Melia Habana Hotel. More than 400 members of the Cuban hospitality
industry were in attendance.

As a result of a 56-year-long trade embargo between the U.S. and Cuba,
California wines are not allowed to be sold in Cuba, but with warming
relations this restriction could be lifted soon, offering a new market
for California vintners, said Pey.

Source: Pey leads wine trade mission to Cuba -
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