OMNI HOTELS & RESORTS LAUNCHES 'DISCOVER RIOJA' AS ITS 10th INSTALLMENT OF 'FLAVORS OF THE WORLD' CAMPAIGN

The luxury hotel brand partners with Rioja USA to bring authentic wine, cuisine, and culture to its guests

DALLAS (October 2, 2017) – Today marks the launch of Omni Hotels & Resorts’ 10th installment of its "Flavors of the World" culinary series, as “Discover Rioja” kicks off at the luxury hotel brand’s 60 properties. This year, Omni has partnered with Wines from Rioja to highlight Northern Spain’s premier wine making region and share its undiscovered culture, wine and cuisine with guests through signature food and beverage programming brand-wide. The promotion will be available through December 31, 2017.

The Spanish-inspired menu, spearheaded by Daven Wardynski, area executive chef at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, in collaboration with Omni’s elite chef roster, features a variety of pintxos (tapas), platos principales (main courses) and pasteles (desserts). Menu highlights include dishes indigenous to the northern region such as Patatas a la Riojana con Chorizo, Rioja-style potatoes with chorizo sausage, garlic and spicy pimentón de la Vera paprika; and Gateau Basque, Basque cake with vanilla, lemon and dried cherry. Popular Spanish classics are also featured such as Tortilla Española Clásica, egg torte with potato and onion; Croquetas Jamón y Manchego, creamy ham and cheese croquettes and Tempranillo Rabo de Toro Cocido con Patata “Tortilla” y Jus Natural, tempranillo braised beef with potato “tortilla” and natural braising jus.

“With a partner as exciting as Wines from Rioja, we are thrilled to bring our guests an authentic look into the region’s rich wines, cuisine and culture,” said Stephen Rosenstock, executive vice president of operations at Omni Hotels & Resorts. “From our team’s discoveries while visiting the region, to its rustic flavors and welcoming hospitality, we can truly serve our guests a taste of Rioja through our specially-curated menu and some of the best wines in the world.”

As part of Omni’s “Flavors of The World” promotion, its culinary team of food and beverage directors traveled to Rioja, Spain this past May for an immersive exploration trip to bring this first hand-knowledge of the region and its culture back to their hotels and resorts. The team tasted their way through several of the region’s top wineries, known as “bodegas,” visited historical landmarks and savored authentic Spanish cuisine. Shortly after, Omni’s team of executive chefs visited the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) for a two-day extensive chef training in Spanish cuisine and cooking techniques. Omni’s chefs applied their learnings from the CIA to create the brand-wide “Discover Rioja” food and beverage menu.

“Partnering with a prominent brand like Omni Hotels & Resorts is invaluable to Rioja as it enables us to reach consumers outside of their homes in an authentic and meaningful way,” said Ana Fabiano, brand ambassador for Rioja USA. “The success that Omni has had with the “Flavors of the World” campaign will help propel Rioja forward. And, at the same time, we believe the Rioja experience within the program will be completely unique and inspiring for Omni guests.”

Throughout the promotion, each participating hotel will offer a selection of wines from Rioja, in red, white and rosé varietals, in its bars and restaurants. Wine selections consist of favorites including Campo Viejo, Ontañón Rioja, Cune Blanco, and new discoveries from famed bodegas, many of which were visited during Omni’s culinary exploration of Rioja, including Bodegas Montecillo, Bodegas Muga and Bodegas Lan among others. Wines are available by the bottle or by 6- and 9-ounce pours and will vary by property.

Guests looking to bring a taste of Rioja home with them can visit the gift shop for a selection of high quality, traditional and iconic Spanish products supplied by Spain’s premier retailer, La Tienda. Items include a Mini Paella Kit, Hand Painted Ceramic Sangria Pitcher, Gin and Tonic Cocktail Kit, Gourmet Marcona Almonds, Spanish Mixed Olives by Peregrino and more.

”Discover Rioja” marks the 10th installment of Omni’s unique “Flavors of the World” program, a cultural journey and culinary immersion, designed to expose and teach its food and beverage teams and chefs about various world cuisines as well as bring fantastic flavors to each guest. The “Discover Rioja” campaign joins the list of past partnerships such as “¡Destinación Chile!” (2015), “Taste Washington” (2014) and “Simply Street Food” (2013). Omni’s “Flavors of the World” programs have also featured the wines and foods of Italy, Argentina and France.


For more information, guests may visit https://www.omnihotels.com/culinary/flavors-of-the-world/discover-rioja or call 1-800-The-Omni. Guests are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #AtTheOmni and #DiscoverRioja and can also follow Omni Hotels & Resorts at Facebook.com/OmniHotels, Twitter.com/OmniHotels and Instagram.com/OmniHotels.

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About Omni Hotels & Resorts
Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at 60 distinct upscale hotels and resorts in leading business and leisure destinations across North America. With more than 25 iconic golf courses and 16 award-winning spas featured in dynamic locales nationwide, every Omni proudly opens its doors to share the true spirit of its destination. Reflected through local color, personalized service, unique wellness options, signature restaurants and creative culinary offerings, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every guest and a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program. As a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance, Select Guest is further expanded through the DISCOVERY® loyalty program offering members additional global benefits. Omni is committed to reducing hunger and is on a mission through its Say Goodnight to Hunger initiative to provide millions of meals each year for food banks to feed children, families and seniors in communities in which it operates. For information or to book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.

About the Rioja Consejo Regulador
The Rioja “Control Board” is an institution founded in 1926 with a primary purpose to supervise quality control from vineyard through bottling to promoting the region and defending the interests of the region´s wine sector. The quality controls systems in Rioja are one of the most stringent in the world of wine. Rioja is one of the few that requires that all of its production be bottled at source, which has created the sense of safety and trust among consumers and has allowed Rioja to attain its current leading position on the market. Located in north central Spain, Rioja is considered one of the greatest red wine regions in the world. Rioja wines are protected by the oldest Designation of Origin in Spain, officially recognized by decree in 1925. Since 1991, it is the first and one of only two regions in Spain to be awarded the highest category – Calificada. The institution administers highly sophisticated and stringent quality control in the winemaking process, from viniculture to bottling. For more information, please visit www.riojawine.com


Media Contacts
SuJin Oh/Sasha Lampert, Bullfrog + Baum
212-255-6717
omni@bullfrogandbaum.com

Melanie Klausner, Finn Partners
646-307-6310
riojamedia@finnpartners.com

Kristen Cadenhead, Omni Hotels & Resorts
469-513-3319
kristen.cadenhead@omnihotels.com