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

Distilled five times from one hundred percent California winegrapes, Roth Vodka is targeted at sommeliers, mixologists anddiscriminating consumers who appreciate the unrivaled mixability andsmoothness that a grape-based vodka offers. Roth is currently indistribution in California, where its flawless purity and mixabilityhas earned it a place in some of the market's most exclusive luxuryrestaurants, hotels and resorts.

"The addition of Roth Vodka to the Beam Wine Estates portfoliomakes strategic sense for our business in several ways," said BillNewlands, President. "First, Roth Vodka is a grape-based product thatstrengthens our position in the ultra-premium segment of the industry,and expands our already-strong California presence. Second, thepotential Roth Vodka customer base is aligned with our existingcustomer base, in that we will initially target sommeliers andultra-premium wine lovers-- two groups that we are highly experiencedat reaching, and with whom we have a proven track record of marketingand sales success. And third, for consumers who appreciateultra-premium alcoholic beverages, Beam Wine Estates now offersgrape-based offerings from the beginning to the end of the meal:pre-dinner cocktails, fine table wines to accompany the meal andpremium ports."

Innovation and Leadership in the Ultra-Premium Sector

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

"These limited-production, artisanally crafted Zinfandelsre-define the marketing of old vines Zinfandel," explained Newlands."Similarly, by adding Roth Vodka to our portfolio, we are re-defininghow luxury vodka is marketed and sold. Leading sommeliers andmixologists have a sophisticated understanding of luxury vodkas, andthere is no team more accomplished or better equipped to talk to thisgroup than the Beam Wine Estates prestige account sales and educationteams."

To show its support for the U.S. sommelier community, one dollarfrom every case of Roth Vodka sold will benefit the EducationFoundation of the Guild of Master Sommeliers. "Roth was created bywine lovers to be the wine lover's vodka. Thus, supporting theeducational efforts of the Master Sommelier organization is a naturalway to give back to the industry," commented Stephen Brauer, chiefmarketing officer of Beam Wine Estates.

Roth Vodka will launch in selected markets nationwide. Marketsinitially slated to receive allocations of Roth Vodka include NewYork, Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Illinois and Massachusetts.

About Beam Wine Estates

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

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