North Lake Wines and Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A. Announce Exclusive Import Agreement

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- North Lake Wines, a Constellation Wines U.S. company, and Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A., a leading exporter of Bordeaux wines, today announced the appointment of North Lake Wines as the exclusive importer of Mouton Cadet and several other Baron Philippe de Rothschild wines. In addition to the world-renowned Mouton Cadet, North Lake Wines will represent the Vin de Pays d'Oc wines and Escudo Rojo, a super premium Chilean red wine produced by its subsidiary, Baron Philippe de Rothschild Maipo, Chile. North Lake Wines has also become a U.S. importer of the Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chateau wines.

"Baron Philippe de Rothschild, and particularly Mouton Cadet, is recognized as being one of the world's premier wine brands and it is an honor to add this renowned name and these outstanding wines to the North Lake Wines portfolio," said Tim Richenberg, president of North Lake Wines. "Working closely with Baron Philippe de Rothschild, North Lake Wines will focus on leveraging the quality and strong appeal of these highly acclaimed wines to maximize their sales potential in the United States."

"We have entered into this partnership with great momentum as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of our flagship brand, Mouton Cadet," said Baroness Philippine de Rothschild.

"With the support of North Lake Wines, Baron Philippe de Rothschild will carry on the vision of its founder while finding even greater acceptance among American consumers who enjoy high quality wines from around the world," said Xavier de Eizaguirre, president of the management board of Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A.

Mouton Cadet is produced in the Bordeaux region of France by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, and is celebrating its 75th anniversary with the introduction of new styles and packaging for Mouton Cadet Rouge and Mouton Cadet Blanc to the U.S. market. Beginning with the 2002 vintage, Mouton Cadet Rouge will display a fruitier, more expressive character. Mouton Cadet Blanc will exhibit a crisper wine style with more fruit intensity as of the 2003 vintage. Mouton Cadet is available in 750 ml and 1.5L bottles, with a suggested retail price of $7.99 for the 750ml bottle.

"North Lake Wines is eager to support the re-introduction of the great Mouton Cadet brand and we are also excited about the Escudo Rojo brand and its potential in the U.S. marketplace," added Richenberg.

Escudo Rojo is a fine Chilean branded wine blended from three grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carmenere, all grown in the Maipo and Rappel valleys, which are in the heart of Chile's Central Valley region. Escudo Rojo is available in 750 ml bottles, with a suggested retail price of $14.99.

The Vin de Pays d'Oc varietal line of Baron Philippe de Rothschild includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir in 750ml bottles. These varietal wines have a suggested retail price of $7.99.

In addition, North Lake Wines will become one of the U.S. importers of the Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chateau wines, including Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau d'Armailhac, Aile d'Argent, Domaine de Baron'arques, Le Petit Mouton, Chateau Clerc Milon, and Almaviva. These world famous wines from the most acclaimed vineyards in France and Chile are prized by wine connoisseurs from around the world.

North Lake Wines is the classic wine producer and importer of Constellation Wines U.S., which is part of Constellation Wines, the world's largest wine business, the largest premium wine supplier in the United States and an operating division of Constellation Brands, Inc. ("CBI"). Constellation Wines U.S. encompasses three of CBI's U.S. wine businesses: Canandaigua Wine Company, Pacific Wine Partners and North Lake Wines. Leading brands for North Lake Wines include Smashed Grapes, Farallon, Fernleaf, Foolish Oak, Kelly's Revenge, Marcus James, Paul Masson and Taylor California Cellars.