Iron Horse Vineyards Named an American Icon

Business Wire, August 20, 2007

Newly Published Random House Book Acknowledges 250 Brands as Part of Americana

Iron Horse One of Three Wine Companies

SEBASTOPOL, Calif. -- Iron Horse Vineyards, best known for its Sparkling Wines, which have been served at the White House for four consecutive presidential administrations, has been recognized as an American Icon in a Random House coffee table/reference book, "Icons of the American Marketplace: Consumer Brand Excellence," published July 31, 2007.

"We are extremely proud to be featured with the likes of American Express, Coca Cola, Harley Davidson and Tiffany as a part of Americana," says Joy Sterling, Iron Horse Partner and CEO. "It's a dream."

Iron Horse is a family owned winery in the Green Valley appellation within the Russian River area of Sonoma County. Their Sparkling Wines have been served at the White House since 1985, beginning with the historic U.S.-Russian Summit Meetings ending the Cold War and most impressively at the White House Millennium celebrations ushering in the new century.

The 250 products and logos featured in this lavishly illustrated, story-filled reference book are a part of Americana. Listed in alphabetical order, Iron Horse takes its place between iPod and Jack Daniel's, confirming Iron Horse's reputation as a brand powered by pride, passion and quality. The two other wines are Gallo and Manishewitz.

The newly published history of American brand icons is compiled by American Benchmark Press, a division of Random House, under the guidance of an accomplished, independent Advisory Board of marketing experts:

* Lee Abrams, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, XM Satellite Radio

* Gay Bryant, Editor-in-Chief, Success Magazine

* Cathy Gudis, Professor, University of California, Riverside

* G. Kelly O'Dea, Former President, Foote Cone & Belding

* Bernd Schmitt, Professor, Columbia Business School

* Roderick N. Shade, President, Roderick N. Shade Inc. Interior Design

* Brett Shevack, Vice Chairman, Brand Initiatives, BBDO

* Joel Stein, Columnist, Los Angeles Times

* Abby Terkuhle, President, Aboriginal Entertainment Inc.

* Jean Hoehn Zimmerman, Retired Executive Vice President, Chanel Inc.

The criterion for being selected as an icon, described in the book's introduction, is the emotional connection that particular products create with consumers. "I love how they define a brand," says Sterling, "as a product that kindles trust and captures the heart."

For more information, visit www.AmericanBenchmarkPress.com

and for Iron Horse, the wines and the family, www.ironhorsevineyards.com