Viña Santa Carolina Wines Get New Look, Appellations  
Rapel, Colchagua Go on Colorful New Labels

SANTIAGO, Chile, August 8, 2001—A new design with eye-catching colors is the first thing consumers will notice when they see Viña Santa Carolina wines on store shelves this fall. But a closer look reveals that the winery's commitment to producing the finest Chilean wines is more than label deep: The new vintages of the Reserva line are all from the highly regarded Rapel Valley.

"Consumers will try our wines based on the exciting new look," said Loreto Moreno, the Viña Santa Carolina marketing director. "But they'll become loyal customers because of what's inside the bottle—and with all our Reservas, that's great wines true to the places they were grown."

The appellations reflect Viña Santa Carolina's dedication to sourcing the best grapes possible. Viticulture Manager Sebastian Herrera, who oversees 1,600 acres of estate vineyards for the company, leads that effort. Since joining Viña Santa Carolina in 1999, Herrera has focused on three Rapel vineyards in particular—La Rinconada in the Cachapoal subregion, and Los Lingues and Miraflores in the Colchagua subregion.

"These vineyards form the heart of our Reserva program," Herrera said. "They are phenomenal places to grow grapes. With the maritime influence you get big swings from warm, sunny days to very cool nights, and that does wonders for the grapes, helping create rich, distinctive wines." 

The 2000 Reserva Merlot and the Cabernet Sauvignon both carry the Colchagua appellation of origin; the 2001 Reserva Chardonnay carries the broader Rapel Valley appellation. All the wines have new labels that are distinct from—but share key characteristics with—the winery's 1.5-liter blends. The result is a consistent look for the family of Viña Santa Carolina wines, but with clear differences that help consumers distinguish between the two tiers. Viña Santa Carolina wines are marketed in the United States by Canandaigua Wine Company. 

Canandaigua Wine, a division of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ, STZ.B), is the second largest wine company in the  world. Canandaigua Wine 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, Columbia, Covey Run, Dunnewood, Inglenook, Talus and Vendange. Constellation is a leader in the production and marketing of beverage alcohol brands in North America and the United Kingdom and is a leading independent drinks wholesaler in the United Kingdom.  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Balzac Communications, Jennifer Scott/Pete Danko (707) 255-7667.