Beam Wine Estates Announces National Launch of Roth Vodka; Addition of Luxury, Grape-Based Vodka from California Complements California Wine Portfolio

Business Wire, April 4, 2006

HEALDSBURG, Calif. -- Beam Wine Estates, the super-premium wine company known for its portfolio of fine California wines including Clos du Bois(R), Geyser Peak(R), and Buena Vista Carneros(TM), as well as Cockburn's(R) port, announced today the national introduction of Roth Vodka(TM), a luxury California vodka made from premium wine grapes.

Distilled five times from one hundred percent California wine grapes, Roth Vodka is targeted at sommeliers, mixologists and discriminating consumers who appreciate the unrivaled mixability and smoothness that a grape-based vodka offers. Roth is currently in distribution in California, where its flawless purity and mixability has earned it a place in some of the market's most exclusive luxury restaurants, hotels and resorts.

"The addition of Roth Vodka to the Beam Wine Estates portfolio makes strategic sense for our business in several ways," said Bill Newlands, President. "First, Roth Vodka is a grape-based product that strengthens our position in the ultra-premium segment of the industry, and expands our already-strong California presence. Second, the potential Roth Vodka customer base is aligned with our existing customer base, in that we will initially target sommeliers and ultra-premium wine lovers-- two groups that we are highly experienced at reaching, and with whom we have a proven track record of marketing and sales success. And third, for consumers who appreciate ultra-premium alcoholic beverages, Beam Wine Estates now offers grape-based offerings from the beginning to the end of the meal: pre-dinner cocktails, fine table wines to accompany the meal and premium ports."

Innovation and Leadership in the Ultra-Premium Sector

The launch of Roth Vodka is part of Beam Wine Estates' strategy of leadership and innovation in the super- and ultra-premium segment of the alcoholic beverage industry. Earlier this month, BWE launched the first vintages of the XYZin Vine Age Series wines, which re-defines Old Vines Zinfandel in a series of three wines: XYZin "10", XYZin "50" and XYZin "100."

"These limited-production, artisanally crafted Zinfandels re-define the marketing of old vines Zinfandel," explained Newlands. "Similarly, by adding Roth Vodka to our portfolio, we are re-defining how luxury vodka is marketed and sold. Leading sommeliers and mixologists have a sophisticated understanding of luxury vodkas, and there is no team more accomplished or better equipped to talk to this group than the Beam Wine Estates prestige account sales and education teams."

To show its support for the U.S. sommelier community, one dollar from every case of Roth Vodka sold will benefit the Education Foundation of the Guild of Master Sommeliers. "Roth was created by wine lovers to be the wine lover's vodka. Thus, supporting the educational efforts of the Master Sommelier organization is a natural way to give back to the industry," commented Stephen Brauer, chief marketing officer of Beam Wine Estates.

Roth Vodka will launch in selected markets nationwide. Markets initially slated to receive allocations of Roth Vodka include New York, Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Illinois and Massachusetts.

About Beam Wine Estates

Beam Wine Estates, Inc. is a fine wine and spirit company whose portfolio consists of leading wineries and brands from California's most prominent wine regions, as well as fortified wines from Europe. California brands include Clos du Bois(R) and Geyser Peak(R), in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley; Wild Horse(R), in the Central Coast; Gary Farrell(R) from the Russian River Valley; Buena Vista Carneros(TM); Atlas Peak(R) and William Hill Estates(TM) in Napa; Haywood(R) and Canyon Road(R); as well as Jakes Fault(R) Shiraz and XYZin(R) ultra-premium Zinfandels. The company owns and markets two of the world's leading fortified wines, Cockburn's(R), from Portugal, and Harveys Bristol Cream(R), from Spain, and is the U.S. distribution agent for Wattle Creek Winery and Roth Vodka(TM). Beam Wine Estates, Inc. is the wine group of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. a subsidiary of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), the consumer products company.

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(C)2006 Beam Wine Estates, Inc., Healdsburg, CA