Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and Robert Sands Announce Opus One Accord

Business Wire, Sept 22, 2005

OAKVILLE, Calif. -- Baroness Philippine de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Robert Sands, president and chief operating officer of Constellation Brands, Inc., today announced a partnership agreement concerning Opus One Winery.

Prompted by Constellation's acquisition of Robert Mondavi Winery in late 2004 and following several months of negotiations, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, S.A. and Constellation Brands, Inc. agreed to maintain 50-50 joint ownership of Opus One. Recognizing the winery's increasing autonomy over the last three years, the agreement calls for operating independence for Opus One in three key areas: vineyard management, sales and marketing, and administration.

"Formerly employing the vineyard teams of Robert Mondavi," said Sands, "Opus One has now hired and trained its own vineyard personnel. The winery will now also sell its wines -- for the first time -- directly to distributors in the U.S. market." Historically, Opus One's sales have been supported by the Robert Mondavi sales force. Outside the U.S., Opus One is now distributed uniquely by selected Bordeaux negociants -- the first California wine to be so represented.

Baroness Philippine de Rothschild noted, "These agreements reflect the next step in Opus One's evolution as an estate with a unique direction, identity and culture." Opus One CEO David Pearson added: "This accord will empower and enable Opus One to carry on the vision of its founders -- and to improve upon what it does best."

With the appointments of Pearson, the first person singly responsible for Opus One, and of Michael Silacci, the first to assume full responsibility for viticulture and winemaking, the winery had already taken significant steps toward independence in 2004.

Opus One, a partnership between Baron Philippe de Rothschild, S.A. and Constellation Brands, Inc., produces ultra-premium wines at its Napa Valley winery in Oakville, Calif. The 2001 vintage is distributed in all 50 U.S. states and 65 countries worldwide.