Liquor Group Products Featured On NBC's Today Show

New York, NY July 20, 2009 -- NBC's Today Show Reporter Natalie Morales took an "on air taste of the good life" by sampling a Warwick Valley Cocktail during the taping of the 10th Annual "Today Show Throws a Wedding Contest" reception, featuring Liquor Group's High-Quality Alcohol Portfolio. The Plaza unveiled its new signature drink: "The Pomona" featuring Warwick Valley's American Fruits Black Currant Cordial which is now part of The Plaza's 100-Mile Menu and will be served to celebrate the wedding of Leigh Daniel and Nick Cordes, the former Olympic hopefuls who captured the hearts of viewers during this year's contest.

The Pomona is made from ingredients that hail from the 100-mile area around New York City, including American Fruits' Black Currant Cordial, Lieb Family Cellars Blanc de Blancs, New York sparkling wine and local honey. The beverage was commissioned by CPS Events, the partnership entrusted with the hotel's famed Grand Ballroom, and designed by mixologist Brittany Chardin of Atlanta's iMi Agency.

The signature drink was fittingly named the Pomona for the Roman goddess of abundance and orchards. A statue of Pomona adorns the fountain outside The Plaza's main entrance.

American Fruits

Set on 60 acres of pristine orchards and farmland just 50 miles from Manhattan, Warwick Valley Wine Co. is the operator of New York's first fruit micro-distillery: American Fruits. American Fruits' Black Currant Cordial is an infusion of locally grown organic black currants and their own distilled grape spirit. The resulting liqueur has fresh, supple currant, honey and jam notes. According to Chardin, "Black currants are very much associated with the state of New York. Until recently, it was illegal to plant the black currant bush anywhere in the country. A New York man named Greg Quinn spearheaded a campaign to have the law repealed and now makes a line of terrific currant juices in the Hudson River Valley area that have great color, flavor and health benefits. This beautiful fruit has made its way into locally produced liqueurs that are the perfect match for the Plaza's Pomona."

Lieb Family Cellars

The Lieb Vineyard is widely recognized for producing a stellar line of still wines. This multiple award-winning bottling was named one of America's Best Sparkling wines by Wine Spectator and will be the main ingredient for the Pomona. This hand-crafted Blanc de Blancs made (not from Chardonnay as in France) from locally grown old-vine Pinot Blanc, planted in 1983, spends three years on its lees and is disgorged in small lots to assure a fresh crisp and vibrant finish with apple, honey and citrus flavors. "Leib Vineyard and CPS Events are a natural fit for one another because of our strong commitment to local, sustainable products. Bringing sustainability to the catering industry is important and I'm thrilled to be working with CPS Events at The Plaza to help redefine the catering experience at the legendary Plaza hotel," said Gary Madden, general manager, Lieb Family Cellars.

Local Honey by the Bees of Ray Tousey Hand-gathered Local Honey Syrup will complete the drink with the sweet and complex flavors of the Hudson Valley. For more than 20 years, Ray Tousey of Clermont, N.Y. has been producing unique honey and beeswax products on his family's 50-acre Hudson Valley Farm, formally an apple orchard. Tousey now dedicates his time to honey production, growing black currants and blending these two ingredients to distill an estate-bottled Cassis.

The 100-Mile Menu is a culinary movement that marries seasonal fare with elegant style. "The bridal market's shift toward an interest in sustainable, green weddings inspires catering that is seasonal, local and always delicious. With fresh, organic ingredients, the 100-Mile Menu is the synthesis of robust flavor and modern dining and we're thrilled to complement our menu with this new cocktail. Pomona, the Goddess of Orchards and Abundance, is surely pleased," said Liz Neumark, CEO, Great Performances and partner, CPS Events at The Plaza.About Central Park South Events at The PlazaCentral Park South Events at The Plaza is a stand-alone joint venture between two New York state companies, Great Performances and Delaware North Companies, created to manage and operate The Plaza Grand Ballroom and meeting space. Great Performances, New York's prestigious event and catering company, and Delaware North Companies, one of the world's leading hospitality and food service providers, opened the landmark Grand Ballroom in January 2008 and have signed a 25-year lease with Elad Properties, owner of The Plaza. For more information, visit http://www.plaza.com/.

About Delaware North Companies

Delaware North Companies is one of the world's leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Banknorth Garden. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues exceeding $2 billion annually and 50,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit http://www.delawarenorth.com/

About Great Performances

Great Performances brings consummate culinary skill and originality to the table, complemented by personalized attention to detail and exquisite service. The company, founded in 1979 by Liz Neumark as a staffing service for women in the arts, is now an acknowledged leader in the high-profile events arena and has carved out a niche as the foodservice partner of some of the city's most prestigious cultural institutions, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Sotheby's. Great Performances is the only catering company nationally to own and operate its own organic farm, Katchkie Farm in Columbia County, New York. The Company pioneered the 100-Mile Menu bringing sustainable food to the forefront of the special events industry. For more information on Great Performances, visit http://www.greatperformances.com/