Veramonte Winery Announces Everest Award Winners

Proving an ideal fit with the outdoor community, Veramonte Winery was a the premier sponsor of the Everest Awards at the Teva Mountain Games. Dubbed the “Oscars” of the outdoors, the Everest Awards are given to top athletes who excel in their sports. For the second consecutive year, Veramonte provided their “wines from the edge of the mountain” to those who push the limits of mountain sports.

Jennifer Watson of Veramonte enthused, “Recognizing these remarkable individuals is an honor for Veramonte. We are pleased to sponsor such an amazing event and feel our wines truly resonate with the adventure seeker.” Etched Imperial bottles (6 liters) of Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon were presented to each deserving winner.

The top male and female athletes were recognized in Adventure Racing, Whitewater Paddle Sports, Climbing, Trail Running and Mountain Biking. This year’s Everest Award winners are:

Adventure Racing: Billy Mattison and Monique Merrell. Vail-resident and captain of Team GoLite/Timberland, Billy Mattison is a world-class paddler and winner of the Eco-challenge. Monique Merrell is a veteran adventure racer with 15 years of experience and lives in Breckenridge, CO.

Whitewater Paddling: Scott Shipley and Rebecca Giddens. Scott Shipley is a three-time Olympian and World Cup winner with vast whitewater experience. Rebbeca Giddens is a 2004 Olympic Silver medalist and 2002 World Champion.

Climbing: Jason Kehl and Emily Harrington. Jason Kehl has established many ground breaking first ascents in bouldering throughout the US. Emily Harrington is a University of Colorado student and a renowned female climber, redpointing 5.14, and on-sighting 5.13.

Trail Running: Matt Carpenter and Nancy Hobbs. Matt Carpenter’s signature phrase “Go out hard, when it hurts, speed up” explains his resting pulse of 33 beats and his VO2 reading of 90.2. Nancy Hobbs has been a top finisher in reputable events such as the Pikes Peak Marathon. She is the director of the “All American Trail Running Association.”

Mountain Biking: Ned Overend and Hannah Hannah (Steffans) Durango-resident, Ned Overend is a well-rounded endurance athlete with continuous wins. Hannah Hannah is currently the only female in the professional free-ride circuit to do a back flip on her bike.

Expedition Of The Year: Andrew Skurka. Skurka’s “Hike Across North America,” encompassed a 7,778 mile sea-to-sea route, equating to 23 miles for 339 consecutive days last year.

Photographs of the athletes are available upon request.

About the Teva Mountain Games
The Teva Mountain Games are the largest celebration of mountain sport, soul and culture with activities including outdoor competitions, film premiers, concerts, photo competitions and more. Learn about the events and Everest Awards at www.tevamountaingames.com.

About Veramonte
Situated in Chile’s remote Casablanca Valley, Veramonte lies in an unspoiled winemaker’s paradise. Veramonte’s “Wines From The Edge Of The Mountain” are as astute and exotic as the adventure seekers and outdoor lovers who favor them. Lively, bold and sumptuous, the distinct varietals match Chile’s distinct terrior. Offering Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Primus, a proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère, the lost Bordeaux grape. The Veramonte Estate occupies 13,000 acres of exotic Chilean terrain, 10,000 of which is dedicated to a natural greenbelt, and is distributed in the U.S. by Icon Estates. For more information, please visit www.veramonte.com or call 800-529-WINE.