Whole Foods Market(R) Receives 'Best Wine Retailer of the Year' Wine Star Award from Wine Enthusiast Magazine

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFMI) , the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket, has been awarded the annual "Best Wine Retailer of the Year" Wine Star Award by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. This represents the first time a supermarket has received this prestigious award, recognizing excellence in the wine and spirits industry.

Whole Foods Market has worked hard to establish its wine departments as must-visit destinations within a supermarket setting by focusing on providing a high level of customer service and a wide selection of wine varieties, characteristics and prices. Catering to each of its local communities, the wine departments at Whole Foods Market stores also focus on locally produced wines.

Wine Team Members are constantly experimenting with ways to wow shoppers; recent innovations have included enomatic wine sampling stations, which allow customers to try a wide range of wines by the ounce or glass -- from the premium to the every day -- before purchasing a bottle. Wine seminars, food pairings, and tastings are also common. In addition, the design and layout of the wine departments are complimented by informational signage to help customers pair wines with food easily.

"For many people, great-tasting wine is an integral part of a pleasurable lifestyle," said Adam Strum, chairman and CEO of Wine Enthusiast Companies, "and our Wine Star Award is proud to support wine-purchasing destinations such as Whole Foods Market, that encourage shoppers to continually learn about a wide range of wines. This award recognizes that Whole Foods Market is no ordinary supermarket, and that it is as dedicated as many of the more traditional wine retailers in our combined efforts to help make America a wine-drinking nation."

Whole Foods Market wine departments are also noted for their large selection of organic and biodynamic wines, which provide a way for shoppers to purchase great-tasting wine while supporting earth-friendly viticulture methods. As part of the company's "green mission," Whole Foods Market will continue to increase the amount of organic and biodynamic wines it offers to its customers.

Located at the confluence of food and wine, Whole Foods Market is uniquely positioned to offer expert advice on food and wine pairings to enhance customers' complete dining experiences. "Our goal is to make our wine departments a destination for current and new shoppers," said Geof Ryan, national wine buyer for Whole Foods Market's West regions. "We are working hard to change the face of wine purchasing and merchandising within the supermarket setting to provide high-quality, affordable, unique wines. This award is a great honor to all of us at the local, regional and national levels."

"We want our customers to think of shopping for wine at Whole Foods Market in the same way they think about shopping for the great high-quality prepared foods, meats, seafood and organic produce they have come to expect and enjoy from us," added Doug Bell, national wine buyer for Whole Foods Market's East regions. "Wine is a food enhancer. Whole Foods Market is all about great tasting natural and organic food so if we can make enjoying the food a more pleasurable experience, then we are doing our job."

Whole Foods Market will be recognized at Wine Enthusiast Magazine's annual Wine Star Awards dinner at the New York Public Library in Manhattan on January 28, 2008. Winners are also featured in Wine Enthusiast Magazine's December "Wine Star Awards" issue. Wine Enthusiast Magazine Wine Star Award winners are selected from 50 nominees, five in each of the 10 award categories, for their outstanding contribution to the wine and spirits industry.

About Whole Foods Market

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America's first national certified organic grocer. In fiscal year 2006, the company had sales of $5.6 billion and currently has more than 270 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Whole Foods Market motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet"(TM) captures the company's mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Whole Foods Market, Fresh & Wild(TM), and Harry's Farmers Market(R) are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Wild Oats(R) and Capers Community Market(TM) are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc. Whole Foods Market employs more than 50,000 Team Members and has been ranked for ten consecutive years as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine.

About Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Founded in 1988, Wine Enthusiast Magazine's mission is to educate and entertain readers about wine and the wine lifestyle in an accessible and user-friendly way. Wine Enthusiast Magazine has grown to become one of the world's most respected and quoted publications in the field of wine and spirits. The magazine is an important source of ratings and reviews of both wine and spirits currently available in the marketplace, vital to both consumers and to the trade. With a readership of 686,000 per issue, Wine Enthusiast Magazine is available in fine wine shops, tasting rooms and major bookstores nationwide. In addition, Wine Enthusiast Magazine develops signature events for both consumers and the trade. The magazine and "Buying Guide" are also available online at http://www.wineenthusiast.com/mag.

Contact: Ashley Hawkins, Whole Foods Market

(512) 542-0381

Ashley.Hawkins@wholefoods.com