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Each year French artist Jean-Pierre Got creates a unique poster design for the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine County Half. Jean-Pierre Got's portfolio of work ranges from high-spirited, joyful subject matter to more tender, heart warming portrayals. His commercial posters give the products themselves the image of a by-gone era and evoke in the viewer a reassuring nostalgia. "Through my designs I wish to pay homage to the great French posterists who invented the art more than one hundred years ago" Got explains.

A commercial wine exporter by trade, Jean-Pierre began designing posters in 1992 with his first commission from a Bordeaux wine house celebrating its 100th anniversary. Other poster commissions followed with requests for designs in the Belle Epoque and Art Deco styles. He has received numerous commissions from vintners and restaurateurs from various countries.

Jean-Pierre and event founder Matt Dockstader shared a bottle of Carneros grown Bonneau Chardonnay back in late July while discussing the possibilities for the 2007 design. Looking out over the vineyards adjacent to his house, Matt’s dog Jazz suddenly took off on another futile rabbit chase. Combined with the heavy influence of women in the race, a poster idea was born. The artwork is also used on advertisements and is the back design for the event t-shirt.

Jean-Pierre will be making the trip from his home in Bordeax, France to attend the event this year. He and Jazz will be signing posters at the event expo on Saturday at Sonoma Valley Inn from noon to 3pm and after the race in the merchandise booth from 9am to 11am for $15. Unsigned posters ($10) will also be available for sale during the event in the merchandise booth.

Event updates. Fitness tips. Gift ideas.
You can find it in our e-newsletter, The Grapevine .

Top wineries to pour at Wine & Music Festival
Some of the area's finest wineries will be pouring at the post-race Wine & Music Festival on Sunday. You'll be able to sample wines from Nicholson Ranch, Gundlach Bundschu, Cuvaison, Spottswoode, and other wineries at the festival. Beer will be available for purchase by the small or large glass. Check out the 2008 participating wineries and complete wine maps on the weekend events page.

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Event Poster and new merchandise coming soon.

Blogs, Forums, Route Finder
We are partnering with Realbuzz.com to bring you runner forums, blogs and route planners that give you access to a myriad of training tools and information in our online community of runners. Check out the Napa-to-Sonoma BLOG FORUM ROUTE-FINDER