Inglenook Vineyards to Fund Breast Cancer Research Through F. F. Thompson Foundation for Sands Cancer Center

CONCORD, Calif., Sept. 24, 2002 – Inglenook Vineyards is supporting National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October by donating a portion of the month’s upstate New York sales to the F.F. Thompson Foundation for Sands Cancer Center. “The Sands Center is truly making a difference in this community, and Inglenook is proud to partner with them to help find a cure for breast cancer,” said Diana Pawlik, brand manager for Inglenook. “This effort is driven by our desire to give back to the communities we do business in. We hope local residents will join us in this important effort.”

Inglenook will donate $2,500 from New York sales to the local campaign, and a prominent local distributor will match this amount, bringing the total donation to $5,000. The donation will be presented at the Breast Cancer Awareness Open House at F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua, New York on October 1. The reception will honor breast cancer survivors and celebrate the “Portraits of Hope & Courage” which will be displayed in the lobby of the hospital.

The Sands Cancer Center, opened in 2000, brings integrated cancer care services to the people of the Finger Lakes area. The center provides expertise from three of the region’s most distinguished health care providers: Interlakes Oncology and Hematology, P.C.; Strong Health Department of Radiation Oncology; and Thompson Health, providing medical oncology services, radiation oncology and integrated complementary medicine.

Inglenook Vineyards will also be participating in breast cancer awareness events across the country throughout the month, and will donate a portion of October 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 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.