Havens' Cool-Climate 2000 Hudson Syrah Reserve True to Northern Rhone; Pioneer of Carneros 'Right Bank' Reds Increases Commitment to Carneros Syrah.

Business Editors/Food and Wine Writers

NAPA VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 2003

Havens Wine Cellars today released its 2000 Hudson Syrah Reserve simultaneous with the winery's 20th harvest in the growing regions where it pioneered a cool-climate movement for "Right Bank" red wines in North America. With this second release of its Hudson Syrah Reserve, Havens has redoubled its commitment to Carneros for having similarly ideal climate and soils for Syrah styled in the tradition of the Northern Rhone.

The Havens 1999 Hudson Syrah was the first single-vineyard release of the reserve bottling, using 100 percent Carneros fruit from Hudson Vineyards. With aromatic high tones of lavender and orchid, Havens 2000 Hudson Syrah Reserve engages the palate with the Northern Rhone's familiar delicate white pepper spice, a graceful fruit, and earthy roundness that play dramatically long on the palate.

At $45 a bottle, Havens Hudson Syrah Reserve is considered among the most reasonably priced of the classically-bred, high-end Syrahs that often garner up to $75 and $100. Production is 600 cases.

"'Hudson T' offers something rare in New World Syrah, going beyond proper varietal definition to a profile coming uniquely from a single site," said proprietor and wine grower, Michael Havens. "Warmer climate Syrahs present more fruitiness and higher alcohol, while lacking the greater volume of finely textured tannins and focused palate cool climate Syrahs can offer."

Commitment to Syrah

Havens commitment to Carneros for its Syrah wines began in 1990 when Lee Hudson offered Michael Havens a small block of vineyard that presented a combination of ideal conditions to grow a cool-climate Syrah. After working with the "T" block fruit since 1995, Havens and Hudson agreed in 1999 on an exclusive contract for a single-vineyard, reserve-quality bottling. Havens' continued commitment and passion to the grape has led as well as to other contracts with some of the region's best growers and to planting its own Yountville estate to Syrah. Syrah currently makes up 17 percent of the winery's production, and Havens goal is to increase that to 25 percent.

20th Harvest

Out of budding passions for fine French wines at table with simple European foods discovered during their early travels, Michael and Kathryn Havens found each other and the inspiration to bring those pleasures back home. Havens Wine Cellars, established in 1981, harvested its first crop in 1983. Together with co-owners Russell and Jon Scott, the Havens performed their first crush in the back of a flatbed truck, each taking turns hand punching the fermenting grapes.

The rich and complex wines from original European sites continue to kindle the Havens' love for fine wine and enhearten their work to produce it. Eight staff members now make up the Havens Wine Cellars crew that crafts beautiful old-world wines in a modest new-world enterprise, including a 7 1/2 acre vineyard planted to Syrah on a pastoral 10-acre site and a 12,000-square-foot winery.

About Havens Wine Cellars

Havens Wine Cellars, located in Napa Valley, California, produces fine Merlot, Syrah, and a Bordeaux blend called Bourriquot, selected by top restaurants, wine shops, and specialized retailers around the world. Distinguished by wines with the complexity and refined elegance of their classic French counterparts, Havens Wine Cellars is renowned for its visionary selection of fruit from the cool Carneros region of California and the artisinal direction of an owner-winegrower. Carrying on the tradition of wines integral to a gracious table, Havens offer their wines at the most reasonable prices in their categories. For information, call 707-261-2000, or visit their website at www.havenswine.com.