Inglenook Vineyards and Rhode Island Distributing Support American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

CONCORD, Calif., Sept. 23, 2002 – As part of its national Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, Inglenook Vineyards is teaming up with Rhode Island Distributing to sponsor walker Jim Lynch in the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk, scheduled for October 20 in Providence.  A total of $3,000 will be donated to fund breast cancer research through the American Cancer Society.

Canandaigua Wine Company district manager Jim Lynch has signed up for the five mile event, which he will walk with his wife, mother and a friend of the family.  “We all get so busy with our daily lives,” said Jim.  “This is something we can do to make a real difference in the world.”  Last year’s event garnered almost 3,000 walkers and raised $350,000 dollars for breast cancer research.  This year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is expected to be even bigger, attracting more participants who will help meet the goal of raising over $450,000. 

“The American Cancer Society is pleased to receive this support from Inglenook Vineyards and Rhode Island Distributing for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk,” said Jim Beardsworth, spokesperson of the American Cancer Society.  “Their involvement locally and nationally on the issue of breast cancer speaks to a strong commitment to give back to the  community and help fight this deadly disease.”

Inglenook Vineyards will also be participating in breast cancer awareness events across the country throughout the month of October, and will donate a portion of the month’s national sales to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).  These funds, called the Inglenook Awards, will be used to enhance the education of up to 20 top early-career scientists in the field.  The AACR is the world’s oldest scientific organization dedicated to preventing and curing cancer.

Recent studies show that breast cancer is the leading form of cancer in women, and one in eight women will develop the disease within her lifetime.  With its large number of consumers, Inglenook – which sells nearly 5 million cases of wine each year – hopes to raise public awareness of the disease and encourage support for finding a cure.  

Inglenooks wines are made by Canandaigua Wine Company, a division of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ, STZ.B). Canandaigua Wine, the world's second largest wine company, satisfies millions of consumers nationwide by providing quality wines for the enjoyment of everyday life. Canandaigua Wine produces, markets and sells more than 40 well-known brands. Leading table wine brands include Alice White, Almaden, Columbia, Covey Run, Dunnewood, Inglenook, Talus and Vendange. Constellation Brands, Inc. is a leading producer and marketer of beverage alcohol brands, with a broad portfolio of wines, spirits and imported beers. The Company is the largest single-source provider of these products in the United States, and both a major producer and independent drinks wholesaler in the United Kingdom.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Balzac Communications, Margaret Clark (707) 255-8023.