Maisons Marques & Domaines USA Inc. Announces New Partnership with Rioja Producer Marques de Murrieta

20/11/07 Maisons Marques & Domaines USA Inc. (MMD), the US subsidiary of Champagne Louis Roederer, established in 1776 in Reims, France, is proud to announce that as of January 1st, 2008, it will be the sole US distributor of legendary Rioja's wine estate Marques de Murrieta and Galicia's Pazo Barantes.

Marques de Murrieta is named after Luciano de Murrieta, who established the estate in 1852 in the world renowned Rioja region of Spain and was a founding father of modern Rioja winemaking. Today V. Dalmau Cebrian-Sagarriga Suarez-Llanos, Count of Creixell, leads the family-owned company, which has undertaken a 30+ million euro (approximately US $50 mil.) renovation and upgrade of its vineyards and historical landmark facilities in both Rioja and Galicia. The major reconstruction will namely include installation of state-of-the-art winemaking equipment, revamping the historical cellars and hospitality areas.

V. Dalmau remarks, "I am delighted to partner with MMD and the Rouzaud family [owners of Champagne Louis Roederer because we share the same philosophy based on four main fundamentals: family-owned company -- large vineyard ownership -- blending of tradition and modernity and distinctive style of wines. Marques de Murrieta is looking forward to a bright and long lasting future in the USA with our new strategic partners at MMD."

Gregory Balogh, President of Maisons Marques & Domaines, states, "Spain has many prestigious wine estates, especially from Rioja. Marques de Murrieta produces outstanding wines from the region and is a natural complement to the rest of our portfolio. We are delighted to welcome Marques de Murrieta and Pazo Barantes to our family of wines."