oday, Woodbridge Winery announced it will be the host of the California State Championship Chili Cook-Off, scheduled on Saturday, October 21. Open to the public at no cost, this event will bring more than 20 head cooks and their teams together to compete in the California State Championship Chili Cook-Off to raise funds for the Lodi Public Library Foundation. This will be the first year in which Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi is a primary sponsor of the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI), a non profit organization aimed to promote chili and raise money for charity.

“We’re very excited to host the State Championship Chili Cook-Off at Woodbridge Winery,” said Larry Pilmaier, Visitors Center Manager of Woodbridge Winery. “Each year, this event draws hundreds of people, either cooks who compete or chili fans who simply want to taste. It’s a winning combination when you can raise funds for a great charity like the Lodi Public Library Foundation and have fun while you’re doing it.”

This year’s competition will feature cooks from around the state preparing chili from scratch at the Woodbridge Winery. Each cup of chili will be evaluated by a panel of judges in a blind tasting based on select criteria. The three California teams with the highest scores will qualify for the Terlingua International Chili Cook-Off in Terlingua, Texas in November 2007; as well as receive an etched 3 liter bottle of Woodbridge Select Vineyard Series by Robert Mondavi.

“CASI’s slogan is Chili, Charity, and Fun! which is the perfect description for what people can expect from this wonderful event,” said Alan Dean, President of CASI. “CASI is proud to have Woodbridge as a sponsor and the Woodbridge Winery will provide the perfect setting for this world class food festival.”

Adding to the fun and excitement of the day, the competition will include a ‘People’s Choice Award,’ in which the people get to vote for one lucky winner with the best chili.

More than 25 years ago, Robert Mondavi founded Woodbridge to create great tasting, approachable wines that American families could pair with their meals every day, and that tradition continues. As the primary sponsor for the Chili Cook-Off event, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi reinforces its commitment to pair its wines with American’s favorite food and chili is no exception.

Guests attending the Chili Cook-Off will also have the opportunity to enjoy a unique car show onsite. Classic models on display will include Ford, Chevy and Mopar.

CASI has had a mission to promote chili and raise money for charity for more than 39 years. Each year, CASI sanctions close to 600 chili cook offs around the United States and surrounding territories and raises more than $1,000,000 annually for local charities. The Chili Cook-Off event at Woodbridge Winery lasts from 9 am to 4 pm, with judging beginning at 2 pm. For more information, contact the Woodbridge Visitors Center at 209-365-2839 or go to www.woodbridgewines.com or www.chili.org.