Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus Chooses Partner Frederick Wildman and Sons as United States Marketing Arm

NEW YORK & BORDEAUX, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd., and Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus are pleased to announce their partnership for the distribution and marketing of Bordeaux Classified and Cru Bourgeois estates and chateaux in the United States. The partnership will unite this dynamic Bordeaux negociant with the longest established fine wine importer and distributor in the United States, Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd.

“the biggest little wine company in America.”

Scheduled to begin as of March 1^st, 2010, the strategic partnership will allow access to the American market for Bordeaux’s greatest wines offered each year on the Bordeaux market. The Bordeaux market functions much like a stock exchange—individual wines being the “stocks” —and in this unique market, both companies are especially well-suited to take on the challenging task of filling the needs of American wholesale and retail customers.

“We are delighted to enter into a collaboration with our long-time friends at Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus”, said Wildman President, Richard Cacciato. “We have long observed the Bordeaux market and were very active years ago when the market conditions were more propitious”, continued Cacciato. “They are again now, and we consider it an honor and a duty to be part of the Bordeaux Market with CMGC. This partnership will allow us to provide a tremendous service to our distributors and customers”.

Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus’ Managing Director, Georges Haushalter, added, “We have been present in the United States for many years now and are delighted to enhance our existing business with a partner as well established as Frederick Wildman and Sons. The United States market and our many customers there are very important to us”, Haushalter continued, “and this connection will allow us to provide even more service to them. Equally important, we will be able to provide greater distribution to the chateaux and domaines in Bordeaux with whom we work closely”.

ABOUT FREDERICK WILDMAN AND SONS:

Importers of fine wines and spirits since 1934, Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd., is committed to excellence, and is a major force in the world of wine in the United States. The familiar Wildman oval found on every bottle sold is recognized around the world as a symbol of quality assurance. The company has become what Frederick Wildman's president and CEO Richard Cacciato calls "the biggest little wine company in America."

Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd., portfolio of brands includes: ITALY: Abbona, Ca’ Bianca, Ca’ Donini, Castello Monaci, Conti Formentini, Folonari, Galtarossa, La Scolca, Lamberti, Le Ragose, Fattorie Melini, Melini, Nino Negri, Pellegrino, Tenuta Rapitala, Re Manfredi, Santa Maria La Palma, Santi; FRANCE: Champagne Pol Roger, Chartreuse, Chateau de Chamirey, Chateau Fuisse/Vincent Selections, Chateau La Lagune, Chateau St. Sulpice, Armand Rousseau, Christian Moreau Pere et Fils, Domaine des Perdrix, Jacques Prieur, Olivier Leflaive, Hugel et Fils, Domaine Potel, Pascal Jolivet, Paul Jaboulet Aine, Stephane Aviron, Vertical Vodka; ARGENTINA: Astica, Broquel, Falling Star, Michel Torino, Trapiche; SPAIN: El Coto de Rioja, Baron de Ley, Museum, Maximo; GERMANY: Egon Muller/Chateau Bela, Wittmann; AUSTRIA: Grooner; AUSTRALIA: Jinda-lee; NEW ZEALAND: Glazebrook; CHILE: Arboleda, Sena; PORTUGAL: Churchill’s and Churchill Estate, SOUTH AFRICA: Backsberg.

ABOUT COMPAGNIE MÉDOCAINE DES GRANDS CRUS:

Being in business for over 25 years, Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus is one of the top Bordeaux negociants with a long-term focus on developing and building quality distribution throughout the global market. With a wide range of wines that includes numerous “Grands Crus”, CMGC is also a distributor of exclusive and specially selected châteaux chosen among the 57 Bordeaux appellations for their quality. CMGC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA Millésimes, the wine entity of insurance giant AXA, which also owns such prestigious Bordeaux properties as Châteaux Pichon Longueville Baron, Grand Cru Classé of Pauillac, Suduiraut, 1er Cru Classé of Sauternes and Petit Village in Pomerol.

For more information on Compagnie Médocaine Des Grands Crus, please contact: Nancy Rugus, Director for the Americas at: 203-401-8080 or via email: [e-mail].

For more information on all Frederick Wildman and Sons wines, please contact : Odila Galer-Noel, Director of Public Relations at: 1-800-RED-WINE ext 911 or via email at: [e-mail].