Domaine Select Wine Estates Launches German Wine Portfolio

11/10/07 Domaine Select Wine Estates (DSWE) announces a portfolio expansion to import wines from Germany. Peter Jakob-Kuhn, Kuhling-Gillot, Melsheimer and Wurtz-Weinmann are the four wineries that comprise the DSWE German portfolio with a November 1, 2007 scheduled release date for sale in the US Market. "It is well accepted that Germany has historic, quality winegrowing regions, producing world-class wine and we feel German wines are due more attention in the United States" said Paolo Domeneghetti, CEO of DSWE. "We took great care to find each winery partner whereby we could create a portfolio of outstanding grower owned wineries. These are wine producers we are very proud to introduce to the US wine consumer for the first time on a national format."

"German wine has experienced double digit growth in the United States for each of the past three years. Our wonderful food-friendly wines have been the favorite of sommeliers for years and are now being requested with regularity by consumers" said Bruce Schneider, Co-Director for Wines of Germany. "We are delighted that the highly regarded Domaine Select Wine Estates is adding German wines to their portfolio for the first time with the addition of four top producers."

Kuhling-Gillot (Rheinhessen) - Formed in 1970, Kuhling-Gillot has over 200 years of history behind it through the Kuhling and Gillot winemaking families. Carolin Spanier-Gillot practices sustainable agriculture with her husband Roland focusing on the most important Rheinhessen vineyards: Sacktrager, Pettenthal and Oelberg. Organic farming has always been the direction of this estate and traditional winemaking practices are adhered to, including using indigenous yeasts. DSWE will import four selections of riesling varietal wine to the US. http://www.kuehling-gillot.de

Kuhn (Rheingau) - Founded by Jacobus Kuhn in 1786 the estate is run by Peter-Jakob Kuhn who is the eleventh generation winemaker in this family. Jakob organically farms 15 hectares of vineyard in the town of Oesterich and is a member of the exclusive VDP organization of the top 200 growers in Germany dedicated to quality production of indigenous varieties. Committed to preserving the environment and to biodynamic farming practices, Kuhn is considered a forerunner pushing the limits of current natural winemaking methods. Experimenting with wild yeasts, and "using nature as a partner" Kuhn creates masterful wines which are among the most sought after for collectors in Europe. DSWE will import four selections of riesling varietal wine to the US. http://www.weingutpjkuehn.de

Melsheimer (Mosel) - Grape growers in the town of Reil in the Mosel for nearly 200 years, the Melsheimer family owns 10 hectares of vineyard land and they focus exclusively on Riesling. Thorsten Melsheimer began to implement more traditional viniculture practices when he took over and moved to a fully organic regiment in 1995. Over 45% of the vineyards are in "steep" pitches requiring all hand work and the Mulay-Hofberg vineyard is the gem of this estate. Traditional methods continue in the cellar with large barrel, spontaneous fermentation on all wines. A leading member of ECOVIN, Thorsten and family are committed to preserving the tradition of the Mosel. DSWE will import five selections of riesling varietal wine to the US. http://www.melsheimer-riesling.de

Wurtz-Weinmann (Rheinhessen) - Dirk Wurtz, the former winemaker at Robert Weil winery together with partner Hubertus Weinmann, from Jakob Neumer winery in Uelversheim, began their own winery project in 2000. Wurtz is focused on ecological, sustainable agriculture and all the vineyards are farmed naturally. An enigmatic young wine producer known as a fanatic for quality Wurtz holds the philosophy "dry is best" and vinifies with minimal intervention including fermentation with natural yeasts and limited pumping, fining, and filtration. DSWE will import three selections of riesling varietal wine to the US. Currently no website.

"Germany has gone through an enormous transition and generational change over the last 7-10 years with an increasing respect for the environment and its influence as both regional accent and harmonious influence on the wines" said Daniel Hubbard, the Central European Portfolio Manager for DSWE. "Small producers such as those in our portfolio are acting with vigor to bring Germany to a sustainable ecological standing, they want to hand off their work to their sons and daughters, securing the future of high quality viniculture in Germany."

The DSWE German portfolio will be presented for the first time on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at The Four Seasons Restaurant in New York City, during DSWE's annual Grand Portfolio Tasting.