FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 2006

Press Contact:
Sandi Martini-Coero, (707) 578-5005, sandi@wimbledonwine.com
Lisa A. Walter, (707) 996-1529, lisa@adamswalter.com

Hahn Estates Promotes Winemaking Team
Winemakers to Focus Upon High-End Appellation Wines

(Soledad, CALIF.) — In a move designed to better manage the ongoing expansion of the Hahn Estates wine holdings, winery President William Leigon announced today a restructuring of its winemaking team. Adam LaZarre has been promoted to Lead Winemaker Paso Robles Appellation Wines and Paul Clifton has been promoted to Lead Winemaker Santa Lucia Highlands Wines.

Hahn Estates is owned and operated by the Nicolaus Hahn Family of Switzerland. Nicolaus and Gabrielle Hahn came to Monterey in the mid 1970s with the goal of producing world-class wines. They purchased Smith & Hook Winery in 1980 and have been making wines in Monterey County since that time.

LaZarre and Clifton excelled as the winemaking team responsible for the HRM Rex Goliath wines before that brand was sold to Constellation Brands in 2005. Most recently they have worked together to create and launch the Cycles Gladiator wines. They will continue as a team to create the popular Cycles Gladiator brand.

Adam LaZarre, who will also continue to manage vineyard and grower relations, is leading the winemaking at the prestigious St. Gabrielle Vineyard located in the highly-desirable west side of Paso Robles adjacent to the well-known Justin wine estate. Named after Gabrielle Hahn, the vineyard is the latest acquisition for Hahn Estates and marks a major commitment to the Paso Robles Region. An artisan, single-vineyard brand named Gaby has a planned launch in 2008. Paul Clifton will manage production of all Hahn wines in the Santa Lucia Highlands, including the launch of the limited-production Lucienne Pinot Noir wines.

Adam LaZarre and Paul Clifton will continue as the winemaking team for the Hahn Estates brands which include Hahn Estates, Smith & Hook, Red Flyer and Cycles Gladiator.

For more information about Hahn Estates, Smith & Hook Winery and the Cycles Gladiator brands go to www.hahnestates.com, www.smithandhook.com and www.cyclesgladiator.com.

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