Tom Klein, Chairman of Rodney Strong Vineyards, Announces Klein Family Acquisition of Davis Bynum.

Brand Complements Rodney Strong's Pioneering History

HEALDSBURG, Calif. -- Tom Klein, owner and chairman of Rodney Strong Vineyards since 1989, announced the purchase of the Davis Bynum brand today. Klein acknowledges, "Davis is a wine industry pioneer like Rod was. He raised the bar in production of Russian River Valley pinot noir and chardonnay and was instrumental in building the reputation of Russian River Valley. Our family is proud to carry on Bynum's passionate commitment to quality winemaking." The sale only includes the brand and current inventory. The price of the acquisition was not disclosed and does not include the winery, tasting room or vineyards previously associated with the brand. Klein owns a number of vineyards in Russian River Valley and he intends to use them, supplemented by additional negotiated grape contracts within the AVA, as the source for Davis Bynum wines. Current Rodney Strong Vineyards luxury winemaker, Gary Patzwald, will take on the role of winemaking for the brand.

Davis Bynum, a wine-growing pioneer who established his Russian River Valley winery in 1973, agreed to stay on in an advisory role for three years. He will serve as a spokesperson and provide insight on brand style and direction. "This is a wonderful business," Bynum said. "It's my turn, though, to slow down a bit. Tom has demonstrated that he and his family are committed to making high quality wines from Sonoma's best appellations. The vineyards they have purchased or planted in the Russian River Valley over the past ten years are now growing outstanding grapes and their new luxury winery inside Rodney Strong is beginning to create world-class wines. I'm confident that the quality of Davis Bynum wines are in good hands going forward," says Bynum.

The Kleins, a fourth generation California agricultural family, with Tom as chairman, own Rodney Strong Vineyards, Sonoma Vineyards, and now Davis Bynum Winery. Rodney Strong Vineyards was founded in 1959 by wine pioneer Rodney D. Strong as the 13th bonded winery in Sonoma County, California. The winery is dedicated to crafting world-class wines that capture the essence of Sonoma County, focusing on the region's finest appellations - Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. Sonoma Vineyards produces unique, new styled Sonoma County wines for today's emerging and evolving wine drinkers.

International Wine Associates of Healdsburg, California initiated this transaction and served as the exclusive broker and strategic advisor to the Davis Bynum family.