Canoe Ridge Vineyard and Sagelands Vineyard Name New Winemakers, Sagelands Adds New Director.

Business Editors/Food & Wine Writers

WALLA WALLA, Wash. & YAKIMA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2002

Chalone Wine Group's (CWG) two Washington State wineries picked employees from within to fill top spots, announced President and CEO Thomas B. Selfridge of Chalone Wine Group (Nasdaq:CHLN).

Kevin Mott, a 16-year veteran of making wine with eastern Washington grapes, has been named winemaker at Canoe Ridge Vineyard (CRV) in Walla Walla. He had been winemaker/general manager at CRV's sister Washington winery, Sagelands Vineyard in Yakima, since 1999. Before joining Sagelands, Kevin was Director of Winemaking and General Manager at Ste. Chapelle in Idaho, which bought its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from eastern Washington vineyards. A graduate of Idaho's Albertson College, Kevin started his career in Ste. Chapelle's lab and cellar and eventually earned the position of winemaker. Kevin replaces John Abbott, CRV's founding winemaker.

Frederique Spencer, who had been assistant winemaker at Sagelands, has been promoted to winemaker. A native of Provence, France, Frederique graduated With Distinction in Enology from Toulouse University.

She gained extensive experience in winemaking by working in the famed Bordeaux regions of Pauillac and Haut-Medoc, and in North East Victoria, Australia, before joining Staton Hills Winery in 1994. CWG bought Staton Hills in 1999 and renamed it Sagelands Vineyard.

Mary Quartaro has been promoted to Director of Sagelands Vineyard, responsible for the winery's business operations. Mary joined Sagelands in 1999 as Financial Assistant and was soon promoted to Office Manager. She has a background in both accounting and human resources. Previously, Mary had been a full-charge bookkeeper for a CPA firm and holds a degree in retailing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

"We're very pleased that we can fill these positions with talented people from within our family of wineries in Washington State," said Selfridge. "All three have proven their skills. Kevin and Frederique have done a wonderful job in establishing the style, quality and value of Sagelands Vineyard while Mary has kept everything running smoothly."

Selfridge added, "John Abbott contributed a lot to this company, both at Acacia in Napa where he started his career, and then as founding winemaker at Canoe Ridge Vineyard. After 11 years with us, he decided he wanted new challenges and we wish him all the best. With both wineries set in eastern Washington, John and Kevin shared a lot of information so I'm sure our winemaking won't miss a beat with Kevin at the helm."

Editor's note: Digital images of Kevin Mott and Frederique Spencer are available.

Chalone Wine Group, Ltd. is a Napa-based company specializing in premium red and white varietal wines. In Washington State, the Company owns and operates Sagelands Vineyard(TM) and Canoe Ridge Vineyard(R). In California, the Company owns and operates Moon Mountain Vineyards, Carmenet(R) Vineyards, and Dynamite Vineyards in Sonoma County; Chalone Vineyard(R) in Monterey County, Acacia(TM) Winery in the Carneros District of Napa County, and Provenance Vineyards(TM), Hewitt Vineyard and Jade Mountain in Napa County. In conjunction with its 50 percent joint-venture partner, Paragon Vineyard Co., the Company also owns and operates Edna Valley Vineyard(R) in San Luis Obispo County. Additionally, the Company produces and markets wines under the brand name Echelon Vineyards. In the Bordeaux region of France, the Company owns 23.5 percent of the fourth-growth estate of Chateau Duhart-Milon, in partnership with Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) which owns the other 76.5 percent.