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Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week News

Wines of Rioja Strike a Pose at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 PRNewswire — The fusion of fashion and wine will return to the tents of Bryant Park when the Vibrant Rioja models unveil two original dresses designed by Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada as well as original dresses created by Project Runway designer, Steven Rosengard, during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week from February 1 to 8, 2008.

The Vibrant Rioja models will also hand out keys at the event that unlock one of 10 prizes at participating retailers, including wine parties for 20 and gift certificates to the Manhattan-based stores of leading designers showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Wines of Rioja Steal the Show

As the official wine sponsor of the most fashionable event in town, the wines of Rioja will offer a variety of red and white wine each day at the Lotus Bar. Wines poured include Puerta Vieja, Lorinon, Cortijo III, Marques de Caceres, Campo Viejo, El Coto and Sonsierra.

Inside the tents, Rioja will be in the booths of several stylish sponsors, including W Hotels, American Express, Lycra and more. Designers such as Naaem Khan have made Rioja their wine of choice backstage.

"I am excited to partner with Rioja to create something stylish and striking for Fashion Week," says Ruiz de la Prada. "My dresses were inspired by the Vibrant Rioja stripes. Just like Rioja stands out amongst other wines, the dresses will stand out amongst the crowded tents."

From the Runway to the Retailer

Outside Bryant Park the Vibrant Rioja campaign will host wine tastings at retailers throughout New York each Saturday in February, offering all customers a 10% discount on any Rioja wines in conjunction with Vibrant Rioja's Keys to the Runway promotion. The key for the designer certificates and wine parties for 20 also give consumers 15% off Rioja wines and 25% off a case of Rioja. Five Vibrant Rioja boxes will be located at Union Square Wine & Spirits, Vintage Wine & Spirits, Park East Wine & Spirits and Columbus Wine & Spirits. Complete information including a list of participating wine retailers is available at www.vibrantrioja.com.

About The Consejo Regulador de la Denominacion de Origen Calificada Rioja

The Consejo Regulador de la Denominacion de Origen Calificada Rioja operates under the auspices of Spain's Ministry of Agriculture with the following specific functions: ensuring compliance among wineries and growers of the quality standards established under Rioja's DOCa's appellation; ongoing quality control of the Rioja wines carrying the DOCa appellation on the label; promoting the image of the Rioja DOCa brand in Spain and abroad; and trade relations among growers, wineries and other interested parties.

About Wines from Spain

Wines from Spain, a promotional division of the Trade Commission of Spain in New York City, under the auspices of the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), is committed to promoting the awareness of Spanish wines and spirits throughout the United States, through education, informational materials, special events and promotions. For further information on specific wine regions and producers, please contact: Wines from Spain, Trade Commission of Spain, 405 Lexington Avenue, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10174-0331, or by email at: newyork@mcx.es.

About CRT/tanaka

CRT/tanaka is an award-winning public relations and marketing firm, known for creative solutions and workplace culture. The agency was formed in 2005, when Carter Ryley Thomas acquired New York consumer agency Patrice Tanaka & Company, Inc. to form one of the top independent agencies in the country. Headquartered in Richmond, Va. and New York, with offices in Los Angeles and Norfolk, Va., CRT/tanaka specializes in three practice areas — Consumer, Health and Corporate. The agency's Consumer Practice is renowned for its specialty in brand marketing PR, cause and event marketing and marketing to women. CRT/tanaka has been recognized with more than 260 national and regional awards. Clients include Wines from Rioja (Spain), Target Stores, MAGIC International, Sprint, Capital One, Atkins Nutritionals, Charles Schwab & Co., Girl Scouts of the USA, HoMedics, All-Clad Metalcrafters, De'Longhi, VHA, the Better Business Bureau, Performance Food Group and ITT Corporation.

Contact: Kendyl Wright CRT/tanaka kwright@crt-tanaka.com 646-218-6027

SOURCE Rioja