THE WINE MAKERS TV Show Chooses Cast

Beginning October 25, 2006, THE WINE MAKERS will debut on public television. The twelve participants have been chosen. All of them have a passion for wine, but have no professional wine making experience. Over 600 applicants applied via auditions across the United States. Over the course of eight episodes, they will be exposed to every side of the wine industry, from winegrowing to sales, and marketing. Their ultimate goal is to win the chance to create and launch their own wine brand.

The list includes: Allan Bass (restaurant owner), Stephanie Hervey (business analyst and entrepreneur), Ross Outon (wine and spirits store manager), Taylor Senatore (editor of wine website), Sara Livermore (server in a wine bar in Calistoga, CA), Brothers James and Daniel Darden (wine steward and wine bar attendant in Napa Valley, respectively), Julia Roberts (master gardener), Viral Hazari (marketing executive for a semi-conductor company), Eryn Supple (grocery buyer for natural food store), Lauren Tomasino (manager of wine and spirits store), and Barbara Cray (attorney). Six participants are from California and the remainder call seven other states home.

Executive producers Jennifer Levine and Kevin Whelan plan to have participants undergo a series of challenges with the assistance of industry advisors. The challenges will be judged by a group of experts in the world of wine and food. The host of the series will be Brian Von Dedenroth, a noted host, reporter and editor for travel news and entertainment programs in California.