Columbia Sportswear Company Nominates Walter Klenz, Beringer Wine Estates CEO, to Board of Directors.

Business Editors

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2000

Walter Klenz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Beringer Wine Estates, has been nominated to stand for election to the board of directors of Columbia Sportswear Company (Nasdaq:COLM), a leading maker of outdoor apparel, footwear and accessories.

"We are excited about the possibility of Walt joining our board," said Tim Boyle, Columbia's Chief Executive Officer. "Walt has a powerful mixture of brand building and marketing experience. If elected, I am confident that he would help to ensure the effective growth of our business."

Klenz has more than 25 years of marketing and branding experience. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Beringer Wine Estates, which is comprised of Beringer Vineyards, Chateau Souverain, Chateau St. Jean, Meridian Vineyards, St. Clement Vineyards and Stags' Leap Winery. Beringer's common stock trades on the NASDAQ national market under the symbol BERW.

Klenz began his career with Beringer in 1976 as director of marketing for Beringer Vineyards. He subsequently served as general manager of C&B Imports, a former Beringer division, Vice President of Finance and Administration and Senior Vice President of Finance and Operations. He was named President of Beringer Wine Estates in 1990 and oversaw the company's public offering in November 1997. Klenz also serves on the board of directors of America West Airlines.

Klenz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from Tulane University.

Shareholders of Columbia will elect seven directors at the company's annual meeting on May 25, 2000. In addition to Klenz, the nominees are Gert Boyle, Timothy Boyle, Sarah Bany, Murrey Albers, Edward George and John Stanton, each of who currently serve on the board.

Columbia, which previously announced that Ian Wilson, former Chairman and CEO of Aurora Foods, would join the board of directors in April, has accepted Wilson's decision not to become a director of the company. Wilson withdrew his appointment for personal reasons after leaving Aurora Foods.

Founded in 1938 in Portland, Ore., Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel and footwear. As one of the largest outerwear manufacturers in the world and the leading seller of skiwear in the United States, the Company has developed an international reputation by expanding its product line, emphasizing quality, performance, functionality and value.