Signature Wines Adds Four New Distinctive Wine Brands to Its Award-Winning Portfolio; Current Blackridge Canyon Brand Wines Win Highest Accolades in Nationwide Competitions.

Business Editors/Wine Writers

HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2003

Signature Wines, a premier provider of control and private label wines and wine brands for retail, on-premise and affinity customers, has added four new wine brands to its portfolio of award-winning California, Washington and Oregon wines. The new brands, called Palomino Ridge, Henehan Hills, Muricata Central Coast Select and Domaine M, are made from grapes grown in the premier appellations of California and provide customers with a range of value to super-premium wines for their custom label programs.

"One of our company's greatest strengths is the ability to deliver unique and lasting value for our clients," said Brian McGonigle, Vice President of Retail and Distributor Development for Signature Wines. "Adding these phenomenal wines to our portfolio enables us to better serve our clients in the retail and hospitality industries. And by working with the greatest winemakers in the premier California growing regions, we're able to offer our customers exceptional wines that really stand out within their competitive sets."

The California wine industry is in a transitional period of oversupply and price competition from overseas. Signature Wines is uniquely positioned to take full advantage of the new developments in the California wine market by creating outstanding wine value at all price points and passing that value on to its retail and on-premise customers and their consumers. These four new wine brands focus on the optimal growing regions of Napa Valley, Sonoma County and the coastal regions of Santa Barbara, Monterey and Mendocino Counties.

New Wine Brands, More Wine Choices

Priced at under US$10 retail, Palomino Ridge wines are a statement of quality, character and value. Signature Wines' commitment is to create outstanding, premium wines that embody elegance and affordability. The Palomino Ridge wines are custom blends of Napa Valley fruit and grapes from other prime grape growing regions of California. Napa fruit adds structure, strength and varietal character to the fruit-forward styles typical of vineyards in other California appellations. The Palomino Ridge label captures the energy and vibrancy of the golden Palomino horses that once roamed the valleys of California and the untamed west, to reflect the character and generosity of the wines it represents. These golden horses enjoyed international acclaim and were once the choice of ancient emperors, kings and queens. Palomino Ridge wines echo this appeal with a strength and elegance that will appeal to wine lovers and those new to wine drinking, alike. The Palomino Ridge line currently consists of a compelling, full-bodied Zinfandel, and a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that are both blended from 25 percent Napa fruit. Signature Wines will be adding several new varietals to the line over the coming months, including a Napa-blend Chardonnay.

Stretching from Monterey County in Central California to the coast of Santa Barbara, you will find a region of lush valleys and austere mountain vineyards where extraordinary winemaking is taking place. Established by the early California missionaries, vineyards located in Santa Barbara and Monterey counties experience an excellent balance of geology, climate, soil and water, making it a tremendous viticulture area. This is where Muricata Central Coast Select wines are produced. Muricata Central Coast Select represents the coming of age of the Central Coast as a premier winegrowing region, producing inspiring and innovative wines of exceptional quality and flavor. The Muricata Central Coast Select Chardonnay, Syrah and Pinot Noir are three varietals that thrive off the ocean's influence producing wines with outstanding fruit and intense flavors. Moving up the coastal mountain ranges, the warm sun, cool fog and rich soils produce wines of lush flavor, exceptional character and balance, such as the Muricata Central Coast Select Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Priced around US $10 retail, these wines are smooth, silky and perfect for everyday occasions. Transport yourself to a beautiful coastal mountain peak overlooking the deep blue Pacific Ocean, with Muricata wines!

Henehan Hills is named after the Henehan family that cultivated the rolling green hills of County Galway in Ireland. Henehan Hills wines epitomize the coastal seascapes, small valleys and rolling hillsides that make up the Sonoma County appellation. The unusual geography of the region has created nearly a dozen sub-appellations, each with its own combination of environmental influences. The growing conditions range from cool and foggy in the Carneros and Russian River Valleys, ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, to the long, warm days of the Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys, which favor our Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel grapes. The Henehan Hills wines truly showcase all that Sonoma's talented grape growers and winemakers have to offer. Priced between US$12-$20 retail, they are perfect for drinking everyday yet also offer the silky texture and sophisticated tannins rich enough for truly special occasions.

Domaine "M" wines represent exceptional quality, remarkable winemaking and extraordinary vineyards from the best that California has to offer, Napa Valley. In crafting the boutique brand of Domaine "M", Signature Wines worked with the best winemakers in the best sub-appellations of Napa Valley to cultivate bold, remarkable wines, rich in flavor yet long in value. These wines were sourced from small lots of handcrafted wines made by artisan winemakers dedicated to bringing out the truest expression of each grape varietal. Domaine "M" wines are priced slightly higher, ranging from US$15-$25 retail, and reflect Signature Wines' commitment to producing superb varietals that thrive in distinct growing regions to bring out the best characteristics of each particular micro-climate. The Domaine "M" Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines come from vineyards located in cooler districts where wines are produced with depth, complexity and remarkably ripe fruit flavors. The Domaine "M" Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot come from the warmer Napa Valley regions and express the distinct black fruit and earthy, dusty terroir of the region.

These four new wine brands expand Signature Wines' portfolio of high-quality wines, including Blackridge Canyon, which has already won over forty medals across the country in its first year of competitions. Most recently, the Blackridge Canyon Signature Series Merlot won the highest honor, Concordance Gold, at the Indy International Wine Competition in July. Higher than simple Gold, the Concordance Gold medal was given only to those wines receiving unanimous gold awards from all 50 judges.

About Signature Wines

Signature Wines is a premier provider of custom label wines and distinctive wine labels for businesses and individual consumers. Founded in 1998, the company specializes in providing control and private label wines and wine brands for retail, on-premise and affinity customers. Signature Wines partners with world-renowned wineries such as Ravenswood, Robert Mondavi, Mumm, Kendall-Jackson, Clos du Bois, Chateau Ste Michelle and Franciscan Oakville Estate, as well as offering its own brands of award-winning California premium wines and sparkling wines. The company supports university, hospitality, retail and corporate clients through customized wine brand programs that increase awareness and enhance customer loyalty. The company also works with individuals to create memorable gifts for every occasion. Signature Wines uniquely serves its clients through its excellent quality wines, stunning label designs and templates, customized branding and marketing services, and creative gift and wine accessories. For more information, visit www.signaturewines.com.