Wednesday, January 12 2011
(EASTON, PA) -- Famous Smoke Shop, the nation's leading retailer of discount cigars online, has just announced the winners of their ProCigar Festival 2011 raffle, and it looks like the Californians have it. Three of the five winners attending the week-long festival from Feb. 6 - 11, 2011 in Santiago, The Dominican Republic, are all from The Golden State. They are: Gil Mendez of Menlo Park, CA; Dan Tait of Aptos, CA; and Ken Win of Trabuco Canyon, CA, along with Christine Blake of Atlanta, GA and Vin Anzleone of Merrick, NY.
The winners, who were selected at random, received free entry in the raffle either by writing in or by purchasing 3-cigar sampler packs. The samplers featured cigars made exclusively in the Dominican Republic by the ProCigar members, including Davidoff, La Aurora, Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, Quesada, Cohiba and Macanudo.
"I can’t believe I won," said Ken Win. "Few things in life are as enjoyable as a cigar, and in today’s world there are only a handful of artisan products that are made with the dedication, passion and history as cigars. Thank you Famous for offering such a tremendous range of products at such incredible prices...as well as for your support of the industry and cigar smokers everywhere."
Christine Blake, who won with a write-in entry, and the only woman among the winners, was equally thrilled. "I want to thank Famous Smoke Shop for this amazing opportunity! I am so excited to be going to The Dominican Republic and attending the ProCigar Festival."
Each winner receives round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, and registration for the festival. When they arrive they'll also receive a welcome "goodie bag" with various promotional items, plus a ProCigar Festival cigar box, and have the opportunity to participate in the following events:
- Golf tournament at The Teeth of The Dog in Casa de Campo
- Educational seminars
- Dining with the Dominican Republic's leading master blenders
- Factory tours of Tabacalera de Garcia, Davidoff, La Aurora, Matasa, General Cigar, and Tabaquisa
- Cultural excursions
- Closing dinner charity auction and dance
- Complimentary cigars during all tours and dinners
This is the second year in a row Famous Smoke Shop has worked with La Asociación de Fabricantes de Cigarros de la República Dominicana by offering ProCigar festival trips to cigar consumers. The association, whose members include such legendary cigar makers as Jose Blanco, Jhonys Díaz, Hendrik Kelner, and Manolo Quesada, was formed in 1992 in order to ensure The Dominican Republic's 
"continued status as the world’s premier manufacture of first-quality cigars."
"I am so happy I ordered that extra sampler from Famous Smoke Shop," said Vin Anzleone. "Now I have the cigar smoker's dream vacation."
Dan Tait echoed Vin's remarks saying, "The Giants win the World Series and I win a trip to ProCigar Festival 2011. Life is good!"
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