Clos LaChance Winery Expands Sales Force With Two New Positions.

SAN MARTIN, Calif. -- Clos LaChance Winery announced it is expanding its sales force with the appointment of two new Regional Sales Managers to meet the needs of their growing brand and release of the winery's estate designated wines. Daniel Nelson and Lance Bowling join Northeastern Regional Sales Manager Jan Swallow as part of the growing Clos LaChance Sales Team.

Nelson has been named Southeastern Regional Sales Manager. His territory includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. A fifteen-year veteran of the wine industry, Nelson comes to Clos LaChance from the EOS Estate Winery where he spent three years as the Eastern Division Sales Manager. His career has also included sales positions at Paterno Imports and Premier Beverage FKA McKesson Wine & Spirits. He resides in Valrico, Florida.

Bowling has been named California Regional Sales Manager. He leaves his independent wine business consulting business, Wine Concepts, to join Clos LaChance. He will be responsible for all sales efforts in California. His career includes sales positions for The Brander Vineyard, Sacred Hill Winery and Cairnbrae Winery, Cuvaison Winery, Robert Mondavi Winery and Schieffelin and Somerset Company. He resides in Santa Barbara, California.

Both of the new positions will report to Cheryl Murphy Durzy, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Clos LaChance. "In the last two years we have grown 50 percent in volume, and we are transitioning to an estate based winery -- both of these positive developments require a larger team to get the Clos LaChance message out," said Murphy Durzy. "These two wine industry veterans bring the right combination of experience and creativity that Clos LaChance needs."

About Clos LaChance

Clos LaChance is a family-owned winery located in San Martin, California, 30 minutes south of San Jose and 45 minutes north of the Monterey Peninsula. Owners Bill and Brenda Murphy strive to provide customers with high quality, stylistically consistent wines that are varietally distinct. Food & Wine magazine named the winery as one of ten "U.S. Wineries to Watch" in October 2003. Clos LaChance takes its name from the small fenced-in area encompassing a vineyard (Clos) and from co-owner Brenda Murphy's maiden name. Winemaker Stephen Tebb crafts Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel. Under the direction of Ben Scorsur, vineyard manager for Clos LaChance Winery and CK Vines, 20 varietals are currently under extensive clonal research at the estate.

The Clos LaChance Winery features a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, estate vineyards and hospitality center. Sunset magazine recommended the winery in its "Best of the West" issue, November 2003. In May 2004, Clos LaChance opened the doors to its second tasting room, located on Monterey's famous Cannery Row. For further information please visit www.clos.com.