E. & J. Gallo Winery Announces Purchase of Columbia Winery and Covey Run Wine Brands

MODESTO, Calif. (June 4, 2012) – E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo) announced today the purchase of Washington’s Columbia Winery and Covey Run Wine brands from Ascentia Wine Estates. Gallo has purchased the two wine brands and taken over the operation of the Woodinville and Sunnyside facilities. The purchase marks Gallo’s first expansion into the state. No price was given.

According to Roger Nabedian, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Gallo’s Premium Wine Division, “We have been watching the Washington wine industry grow for a number of years and consider these wine brands to be a key part of our premium wine strategy moving forward. This purchase will help us expand our footprint and offer our customers wines from the Columbia Valley and Yakima Valley Appellations.”

Washington is America’s second largest wine-producing state, after California, with 650 wineries and more than 36,000 acres of vineyards. It produces a wide variety of premium wines from more than 30 leading varietal types and is comprised of 11 distinct winegrowing regions.

Demeter Group, a San Francisco-based investment bank for consumer retail companies, acted as Ascentia’s exclusive financial advisor.

About E. & J. Gallo Winery

Founded by brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo in 1933 in Modesto, California, E. & J. Gallo Winery is a family-owned winery with more than 7,000 global employees and is the acclaimed producer of award-winning wines and spirits featured in more than 110 countries around the globe. A pioneer in the art of grape growing, winemaking, sustainable practices, marketing and worldwide distribution, Gallo crafts and imports wines and spirits to suit a diverse range of tastes and occasions, from everyday offerings to boutique, luxury bottlings.

SOURCE: E. & J. Gallo Winery