Cannoli Joe's Tex-Italia Wine Celebrations to benefit four Austin non-profit agencies

Cannoli Joe's Tex-Italia Wine Celebrations
to benefit four Austin non-profit agencies
Ballet Austin, Austin Lyric Opera, Scottish Rite Learning Center of Austin
and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas

Cannoli Joe's - best described as a gourmet Italian feast with more than 100 classic Italian food specialties -is celebrating its one-year anniversary in Austin this August with "Tex-Italia Wine Celebrations” on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6 - 9 p.m., starting August 6, 2008.

In keeping with County Line BBQ's history of donating generously to non-profits (County Line is Cannoli Joe's parent company), Cannoli Joe's is continuing that legacy by choosing four Austin charitable organizations to benefit from the eight wine events: Ballet Austin (August 6 & 7), Austin Lyric Opera (August 13 & 14), Scottish Rite Learning Center of Austin (August 20 & 21) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas (August 27 & 28). Each non-profit organization will receive 100% of all wine sales from the night.

Four wineries will be represented each night, offering free wine tastings (either two wines or one wine and one Texas Spirit). Bottles or "by glass” purchases of their wines/spirits will be offered at highly reduced prices for all guests. Wineries will include Fall Creek Vineyards, Llano Estacado, McPherson Cellars, Messina Hof, Banfi Vintners, Flat Creek Estate, Gruppo Mezzacorona, Multicarte and Vias Imports. There is no additional charge for the wine event or the wine tastings. (A complete schedule is listed at the end of this release.)

Guests will also enjoy Cannoli Joe's' new menu, which is rotating in new items over a four week period, some of which include more heart-healthy and vegetarian options. New menu items include Bruschetta dal Giorno (Bruschetta toast topped with garlic-white bean puree and roasted wild mushrooms); Pork Medallions Fiorentina (grilled pork loin cutlets topped with a wild mushroom, sage cream sauce, served over sautéed spinach); Spicy Pasta "Texinara” (whole grain penne pasta, mushrooms, scallions, zucchini, red bell pepper, and broccoli florets tossed in a spicy roasted jalapeno marinara sauce); grilled salmon; Stuffed Polenta Cake (Italian cornmeal cake filled with basil pesto, sun-dried tomato puree and a blend of Italian cheese) and Grilled Vegetable Lasagna Verde (mixed grilled vegetables between thin layers of pasta and a creamy pesto filling).

This is in addition to Cannoli Joe's extensive wine list that features 30-plus wines (with 17 of those from Italy), chosen by Bob Hauser, Cannoli Joe's chef /owner and graduate of New York's Culinary Institute of America.

Cannoli Joe's is located at 4715 Hwy. 290 West in south Austin, near the Berger Center. For more information, contact Bob Hauser at (512) 892-4444 or bobh@cannolijoes.com, or visit the website at www.cannolijoes.com.

CANNOLI JOE'S: Cannoli Joe's has seven separately themed dining areas, each with its own eclectic Italian personality, ranging from the Marco Polo Room with its giant mural of the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the Mambo Room with the walls plastered with photos of the Rat Pack - Dean, Sammy and Frank. A fully stocked bar features an extensive wine list with 17 Italian wines, Italian and domestic specialty beers, and signature cocktails like Joe's famous Texas Bellini Swirl, and the Caesarita margarita.

Cannoli Joe's is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and brunch on Sundays.
Weekday lunch is $8.99. Monday through Thursday dinner is $12.99. Friday dinner is $15.99.
Saturday lunch is $10.99 and Saturday dinner is $15.99. (Extra items are added to the list of offerings on nights and then more on weekend nights). Sunday brunch is $12.99 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and then regular offerings from 3 to 9 p.m. for $15.99. Children three and under are free; those 12 years and under are half price. There is no additional charge for the wine event or the wine tastings.

"Tex-Italia Wine Celebrations”
Wednesday, August 6:
McPherson Cellars
• Tre Colore, a red Rhone style wine, and Viognier
• McPherson Cellars in Lubbock, Texas is owned by Kim McPherson, one of the most respected and experienced winemakers in Texas. After graduating from Texas Tech he completed the Enology/Viticulture program at University of California, Davis. He was winemaker at Llano Estacado Winery in Lubbock, founded by his father, "Doc" McPherson, and later at Cap*Rock Winery. He began the McPherson Cellars label in 2000 to honor his father.
• John Bratcher, who represents McPherson Cellars, will attend the wine tasting.

Fall Creek Vineyards
• Merlot - a soft, smooth, and easy-drinking wine with a nice balance of bright, cherry fruit and oak.
• Savvy Vodka - a super-premium vodka handcrafted at the vineyards.
• Fall Creek Vineyards was established in 1975 and are located 80 miles northwest of Austin in the Texas Hill Country where the sandy loam soil, warm days and cool breezes off Lake Buchanan provide an excellent microclimate for growing premium wine grapes.

Llano Estacado
• Signature Red and Signature White
• Founded in 1976, Llano Estacado in Lubbock, Texas, is the largest premium winery in the state, producing wines of world class quality and taking the lead in introducing the entire world to the great wines made in Texas.

Thursday, August 7:
McPherson Cellars
• Tre Colore and Rose of Syrah-Grenache

Gruppo Mezzacorona
• Rotari Rose - produced at the Mezzacorona facility in Trentino, Italy, it is one of the few "Talento" sparkling wines coming from Italy. Talento is an Italian quality standard that sets it apart from the Prosecco's that are so popular. It is produced with 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay; its second fermentation takes place in the bottle and is aged for 24 months on the lees (all part of the Talento standard).
• Arancio Nero D'Avola - From the winery in Sicily, using the Nero D'Avola grape that is indigenous to Sicily.
• Jim Petitt, Texas Marketing Manager, will attend.

Fall Creek Vineyards
• Sauvignon Blanc and Savvy Vodka

Messina Hof
• Pinot Grigio and Barrel Reserve Merlot
• Located in Bryan, Texas, Messina Hof wines are sold in seven states, and have won more awards than any other Texas winery. Messina Hof is the third oldest and third largest winery in Texas. The winery is 31 years old with 607 acres of planted vineyards.
• Tony Bowen, winery sales rep, will attend.

Wednesday, August 13:
Banfi Vintners
• San Angelo Pinot Grigio and Banfi Centine Rosso
• Banfi Vintners is a family-owned vineyard estate in Tuscany's Montalcino region of Italy. It is the first winery in the world recognized for exceptional environmental, social and ethical responsibility.

Llano Estacado
• Cabernet and Muscat Canelli

Multicarte
• Bastardo Rosso and Dripping Spring Vodka

Thursday, August 14:
Flat Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery
• Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio
• Flat Creek Estate is an 80-acre estate with 20 acres of vineyards and a 5,500 case winery, expanding to 10,000 cases by October 2008. Located in the Texas Hill Country just outside of Austin, it was named one of America's 50 Most Amazing Wine Experiences in 2006 by Food and Wine Magazine.
• Rick Naber, owner and proprietor, will attend.

Messina Hof
• Pinot Grigio and Barrel Reserve Merlot

Multicarte
• Pinocchio Red and Dripping Spring Vodka

Wednesday, August 20:
Gruppo Mezzacorona
• Arancio Nera and Rotari Rose

Vias Imports
• Torre di Luna Pinot Grigio - this well-known property in Trentino, Italy, was founded in 1905 and focuses their attention on producing world-class Pinot Grigio. Torre di Luna Pinot Grigio is considered the leader in its category for quality and value Pinot Grigio.
• Capestrano Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - is a property in the region of Abruzzi, Italy and produces Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from their high elevation estate vineyards. It also receives tremendous press year after year, and is recognized as one of the top values in Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
• Vias Imports represents wines from all across Italy, and is focused on small-production, family-owned properties who represent the best of the best in their region.
• Dan Redman, who represents Vias Imports, will be pouring at the tasting.

Fall Creek
• Merlot and Savvy Vodka

Thursday, August 21:
Gruppo Mezzacorona
• Arancio Nera and Rotari Rose

Llano Estacado
• Viviano and Pinot Grigio

Messina Hof
• Unoaked Chardonnay and Barrel Reserve Cabernet

Wednesday, August 27:
Fall Creek
• Merlot and Savvy Vodka

Llano Estacado
• Cellar Reserve Merlot and Chardonnay

Thursday, August 28:
Fall Creek
• Merlot and Savvy Vodka

Messina Hof
• Unoaked Chardonnay and Barrel Reserve Cabernet Franc