Vincor Canada Acquires the business of Medallion Wine Marketing

    Vincor Canada Assumes Western Distribution of Robert Mondavi, Hardys and
    Other Quality Wines and Spirits

    VANCOUVER, April 3 /CNW/ - Vincor Canada (a Constellation Company), the
largest Canadian producer and marketer of wine and related products, today
acquired the business of Medallion Wine Marketing, Inc., its affiliated
company in Western Canada. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
    "This transaction reinforces our leading market position in Canada,
strengthens our route-to-market and bolsters both our domestic and import wine
businesses," said Jay Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vincor
Canada. "Given our solid understanding and working knowledge of the acquired
business, it is a strong strategic fit for Vincor Canada. This will enhance
our customer relationships in Western Canada, and leverage the full breadth of
our more diversified product portfolio."
    As a result of the acquisition, Vincor Canada will assume direct
responsibility for the distribution and sale in Western Canada of the wines of
its affiliated companies, including such iconic and well-known wine brands as
Robert Mondavi from the United States, Hardys from Australia and Nobilo from
New Zealand. Additionally, Vincor will become the western distributor for its
sister company, Constellation Spirits, featuring such recognizable spirits
brands as Golden Wedding, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky and Effen Vodka.
    Additionally, Vincor Canada will become the distributor for both the
prestigious Quails' Gate and CedarCreek VQA estate wineries from the Okanagan
in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Quails' Gate Estate Winery remains owned and operated by the Stewart family.
CedarCreek Estate Winery remains owned and operated by the Fitzpatrick family.
    "With the addition of the Medallion business, our expanded sales team
will continue to serve as the sales agent for the Mott's and Freixenet
portfolios in Western Canada as we continue to work through the transition,"
said Mr. Wright. "We look forward to continuing the development of these great
brands."

    About Medallion Wine Marketing

    Medallion was created in January 1996 to market and distribute quality
wines and spirits of international suppliers in Western Canada, handling wines
and other products from Australia, New Zealand, California, and Canada,
including VQA wines from British Columbia.

    About Vincor Canada

    Vincor Canada, a Constellation Company, has a history that dates back to
1874, and has grown to become Canada's largest producer and marketer of wines.
Its founding vision has been to further the reputation and sales of Canadian
wines in the premium, super-premium and ultra-premium categories, not simply
at home but, as importantly, in the international marketplace.
    With an emphasis on quality grapes, the company has worked consistently
to develop vineyards with the most sophisticated viticultural technologies,
not to mention research capabilities. Vincor Canada's land holdings in
Canada's largest wine growing regions, the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia
and the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, are dedicated almost exclusively to the
production of European vitis vinifera. Vincor Canada also works with a large
group of talented high quality grape growers and viticultural experts to draw
the best from their vines.
    Well known brands from the Vincor Canada portfolio include Inniskillin
Wines, Jackson-Triggs Estate Wines, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, See Ya Later
Ranch, Naked Grape, Sawmill Creek, President Sparkling, Nk'Mip Cellars and
Osoyoos Larose, the latter two of which are joint ventures between Vincor
Canada and the Osoyoos Indian Band in the Okanagan Valley and Groupe Taillan
in Bordeaux, France, respectively.

For further information: For Western Canada: Leeann Clemens, Coletta
Consultants, [phone], E-mail: [e-mail]; For Eastern Canada:
Trevor Heisler, The Equicom Group Inc., [phone] ext. 270, E-mail:
[e-mail]