NEWS RELEASEThe Wine Group and Les Grands Chais de France announce Global Strategic Alliance

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Wine Group (TWG), headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA and Les Grands Chais de France (GCF), headquartered in Petersbach, Alsace, France announce a global strategic alliance to cover the USA and Europe.

In the context of global consolidation amongst suppliers and retailers, the TWG/GCF strategic alliance will unite the world's 3rd and 4th largest wine producers to speak with a single voice and offer customers a full portfolio of global brands.

TWG will distribute GCF brands throughout the U.S.A; a portfolio which includes the World's Number 1 French wine brand, J.P. Chenet, along with leading premium brands such as La Baume and Kiwi Cuvee.

Similarly, GCF will distribute TWG brands throughout Europe; a portfolio which includes the World's Number 1 wine brand, Franzia, along with leading premium brands such as Gray Fox, Fish Eye and Concannon.

Commenting on the agreement, David B. Kent, chief executive of The Wine Group, stated, "The rapid pace of consolidation within the wine industry requires ever greater scale and efficiency to address the needs of our customers and their consumers. GCF has successfully demonstrated it's brand building strength in Europe, as we have done in America, and together we can expand our respective brand portfolios into new and exciting markets."

Joseph Helfrich, President of Les Grands Chais de France, commented, In The Wine Group we have found a company which shares our core values of delivering exceptional quality wines for the price. We look forward to working together to expand the distribution of their brands throughout Europe, while at the same time assisting them in building our brands in the U.S.A.'

The agreement covers all channels of trade including: Multiple Grocers, Multiple & Independent Specialists and HORECA. The combined table wine portfolio will be the world's second largest, representing over 60 million 9L cases.

The distribution agreement does not affect Golden State Vintners, a wholly owned but separate operating division of TWG specializing in bulk wine.

The Wine Group is a San Francisco-based, management-owned company that produces such well known brands as Franzia, Concannon, Glen Ellen, Gray Fox, Corbett Canyon, Fish Eye, Mogen David, Casarsa, and Tribuno. Founded in 1981 by a management buy-out of the wine assets of The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York, The Wine Group has winery operations in California, New York, Argentina and Australia.

More.

Les Grands Chais de France (GCF) is an Alsace-based company, founded in 1979 by the Managing Director and CEO of present-day, Joseph Helfrich. GCF is the number one private wine-maker in France and is focused on maturing, trading and bottling of all types of French wines and spirits spanning the entire process, from vines to wines. J.P. CHENET, the unique concept of French wine pioneered by GCF is praised in more than 150 countries around the world.

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