While many studies declare that wine is good for health, one winery is going straight to the heart of the matter and making direct donations to the American Heart Association (AHA). Between October 1, 2002 and December 31, 2002, Walnut Crest will donate twenty-five cents for each bottle of Walnut Crest wine sold for a total donation of up to $50,000. The minimum donation, no matter how many bottles are sold, will be $35,000.

"This is a real win-win scenario," said Alicia Angione, senior brand manager for Walnut Crest's US importer, Banfi Vintners of Old Brookville, New York. "Both Walnut Crest and those who enjoy it can feel good about supporting causes like the AHA."

The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. With programs and publications on a vast array of topics such as CPR training, lowering cholesterol and heart healthy diets, the AHA strives to provide education and research for a more informed and healthier population.

The Walnut Crest line of wines provides the consumer with a full selection of well-known wines at appealing prices, around $6.00 for 750ml bottle. Along with a newly introduced Shiraz, Walnut Crest offers Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc all from Chile.

The American Heart Association was careful to stipulate that acceptance of this donation is not an endorsement of wine drinking or Walnut Crest wines, while the winery makes no curative or therapeutic claims regarding the health benefits of moderate wine drinking.

Walnut Crest wines today rank as the second most popular Chilean wine sold in the US, and one of this country's top ten imported wines. The producer, Bodegas y Viñedos Santa Emiliana of Santiago, Chile, uses grapes grown in its own vineyards, 3,500 acres in Chile's Maipo, Casablanca and Rapel valleys.