Berle ''Rusty'' Figgins Named Winemaker for Northstar Merlot.

Business Editors, Food & Wine Writers

WALLA WALLA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2002

Acclaimed winemaker Berle "Rusty" Figgins, a native of Walla Walla who has made premium wines all over the world, has been named the new winemaker for Northstar, one of world's leading ultra-premium Merlots.

"This is more great news for Northstar," said Ted Baseler, President and CEO of Stimson Lane Vineyards & Estates, owner of Northstar. "Rusty is a world-class winemaker and just the person to take an already-acclaimed Merlot to the next level."

Figgins said, "This is a great professional move for me. With Northstar moving into a beautiful new winery in my hometown, and with Stimson Lane's access to top Merlot grape sources, I am excited about the opportunity to continue working with Bordeaux varieties in such a high-caliber environment."

Most recently, Figgins has been garnering acclaim and high scores for his Glen Fiona Syrah wines, made in a winery that he built with two partners near Walla Walla. He will pass on the reins to an as-yet-unnamed principal winemaker for Glen Fiona.

"I have truly enjoyed making Glen Fiona ," said Figgins. "That winery has a bright future ahead of it. I am very proud to have participated in its creation, and witness its success."

Also, for the past three vintages, Figgins has helped create the Black Hills Estate Nota Bene, a top-flight Bordeaux-style wine emerging from the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, itself a brand that has quickly gained cult status in Canada.

Rusty graduated with honors with a degree in Viticulture and a minor in Oenology from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. In addition to working with vineyards and wines in Australia, Rusty also worked in the vineyards for legendary Chateau Palmer of Bordeaux.

Figgins will become Northstar Winemaker/Viticulturist on Sept. 1, in time for the grand opening of the beautiful new winery that Northstar will move into on the outskirts of Walla Walla. Grand opening for the new winery is set for Sept. 20. It will be attended by the media and those in Walla Walla who have made that community the focal point of premium winemaking.

For Rusty Figgins, special among the grand opening attendees will be his older brother, Gary, founder of Leonetti Cellar and maker of one of the most sought-after ultra-premium wines in the United States.

Stimson Lane President Baseler created the "Northstar Merlot Project" in the early-1990s because, with Washington State vintners like Leonetti Cellar putting Merlot "on the map" worldwide, he wanted to be sure Stimson Lane had a benchmark Merlot. Also, acclaim for Chateau Ste. Michelle's own 1991 Indian Wells Single Vineyard Merlot helped draw attention to the state's potential for Merlot, Baseler noted. The Indian 1991 Wells Merlot was hailed as the best Merlot in America.

"My vision for Northstar," said Baseler, "was for us to make a wine that focuses on the best that Merlot can be, a limited-release wine worthy of top scores from the toughest critics in the business. I want to compliment Gordy Hill, who has made Northstar from its inception and who will continue to work on projects for us in the Columbia Valley. And also our consultant on Northstar, Jed Steele."

The 1998 Northstar vintage received many 90-plus scores from critics, but it is the 1999 Northstar that Baseler is most excited about. Only 2,800 cases were made, and the wine was just released to fine wine shops and top restaurants nationwide.