Elvis Rocks the Wine Charts -- Hottest Small Brand of the Year; Wine Business Monthly Magazine Honors Graceland Cellars

HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2005--According to a leading wine industry magazine, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll(R), is fast becoming a monarch of the grape. In its latest issue, Wine Business Monthly magazine named Graceland(R) Cellars one of the hottest small wine brands of the year. The winery launched the first-ever vintages of Jailhouse Red Merlot, The King Cabernet Sauvignon and Blue Suede Chardonnay in 2004 and quickly established retail distribution in 40 states. A special 4,000 case holiday release of Blue Christmas Cabernet Sauvignon sold out within days last November.

"The response from consumers, distributors, and retailers has been overwhelming," said Scott Cahill, CEO of Graceland Cellars' parent Signature Wines. "There is no reason why good wine can't also be fun. The combination of high quality wines and the Elvis(R) brand has really struck a chord with consumers."

“The response from consumers, distributors, and retailers has been overwhelming”

Graceland Cellars gained award-winning status last year with three medals: The 2001 Jailhouse Red Merlot won gold and silver, respectively, at the International Eastern Wine Competition and the Riverside International Wine Competition. The 2001 King Cabernet Sauvignon won a bronze medal at the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition.

The Year of Elvis

With the debut of a major Broadway production based on Elvis' tunes later this month and the premiere of a biographical miniseries on CBS in May, Graceland Cellars is poised for major growth as interest in all things Elvis reaches new heights. Graceland(R) Cellars plans to add new labels and products to the line to support existing distributors, and will continue to expand distributor relationships. Major retail chains currently stocking Graceland Cellars' Elvis Presley(R) line include Kroger's, Cost Plus, and many regional chains.

In addition to its retail line, Graceland Cellars offers the Elvis Presley Private Collection, a selection of wines bearing unique labels featuring images of Elvis(R) from the estate archives. Elvis fans can also join the Graceland Cellars Wine Club at www.gracelandcellars.com, and have special collector's editions shipped directly to their homes.

About Graceland(R) Cellars

Signature Wines bottled the first vintage of Elvis Presley(R) Graceland(R) Cellars wines in 2003. Launched as a tribute to the King of Rock and Roll(R), Graceland(R) Cellars is committed to producing the finest California varietal wines possible for wine lovers and fans of Elvis Presley(R). Signature Wines maintains an exclusive relationship with Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE), the exclusive holder of all rights to Elvis(R)' image and properties, including Graceland(R) in Memphis, TN.

About Signature Wines

Signature Wines is a leading provider of uniquely branded premium wines and wine clubs programs. In addition to Elvis Presley Enterprises, the company also bottles award winning wine for The Sierra Club and more than 40 universities, and supports the highly successful Sunset Magazine Wine Club. Signature Wines also has developed a technology platform that enables corporations, hospitality venues and consumers to easily develop their own labeled wines. For more information about Signature Wines visit www.signaturewines.com.