Golden State Vintners Appoints Paul Ginsburg to Its Board of Directors.

Business Editors

NAPA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 2002

Golden State Vintners, Inc. (Nasdaq: VINT) today announced the appointment of Paul M. Ginsburg to its Board of Directors, expanding the total number of GSV Board members to eight.

Mr. Ginsburg, 57, most recently served as Executive VP, Strategic Planning and Business Development of Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates, where he was responsible for all of the company's merger, acquisition, investment and commercial banking activities. Prior to that, he served as Senior VP, International of Kendall Jackson, where he oversaw sales and operations outside of the US including distributor relations and winery and vineyard development. Mr. Ginsburg was also a partner at the business law firm of Shartsis, Friese, and Ginsburg, where he focused on federal, state and international taxation.

Mr. Ginsburg currently serves on the Board of numerous organizations including The National Public Radio Foundation, Stanford Law School Board of Visitors and the Dean's Strategic Council, Henry's Fork Foundation, and KRCB Public Television and Radio. He holds a BA in English from Stanford University and a JD from Stanford Law School.

Jeffery O'Neill, President and CEO of Golden State Vintners, commented: "We are delighted to announce the addition of Paul to our Board. His significant industry experience, including extensive strategic planning and sales expertise, will be a valuable contribution to GSV's strategic development and growth going forward."

About Golden State Vintners

Headquartered in Napa, California, Golden State Vintners is the largest outsourcing supplier of premium wines for the branded wine industry. Founded in the early 1980s, today the company owns 7,000+ acres of vineyards and six production facilities located in the Central Valley, Monterey and Napa, CA. GSV is strategically diversified throughout the wine industry offering a broad range of capabilities and services. The company owns three proprietary brands and a number of private and control labels. The Summerfield wines are made from grapes grown throughout the state and are featured at many of the country's top retailers and restaurants. Monthaven Vineyards is located in Monterey County and produces super-premium wines from some of California's top coastal vineyards. The historic 19th century Edgewood Estate winery is located just off Highway 29 in St. Helena, Napa Valley. Edgewood is one of California's only luxury-class wineries producing all five red Bordeaux varietals. Beyond its own labels, GSV is the premier supplier of premium bulk wine to many of California's leading brands. In addition to vinifying more than 225,000 tons of grapes annually, Golden State Vintners also supplies grapes, wine processing services, bulk wine, barrel aging and storage, bottling and warehousing services to clients in more than 30 countries. The company is also a leading supplier of high-speed packaging solutions to major branded marketers of adult ready-to-drink beverages.

Golden State Vintners is publicly traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol VINT.