Napa, CA(June 25, 2009) - The Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association (SLDWA) celebrates the 13th annual release of its limited-edition Appellation Collection. The Appellation Collection is comprised of one bottle from each of the Association's winery members. For the wine lover, the Collection provides a unique opportunity to taste across the renowned District, one of Napa Valley's smallest sub-appellations. It is a perfect wine cellar addition or holiday gift. This distinctive collection of 17 cabernets, limited to 200 cases, is available only from October 1 through November 30, 2009 through the Association.

With its debut in 1997, the Collection was conceived as a way to educate consumers about the appellation's distinct character and the wines' hallmarks of lush fruit and soft tannins, but it has additionally turned into a luxurious and coveted offering for avid collectors. The Appellation Collection is the ultimate gift for wine enthusiasts. These rare, critically-acclaimed 2005 cabernets cannot be purchased collectively anywhere in the world," says Erle Martin, CEO of Pine Ridge Vineyards and the Association's President, "which is pretty special." Released only once a year, the year's Collection is the largest yet as the Association's membership increased to 17 wineries, adding this year both Robinson Family Vineyards and Terlato Family Vineyards.

The 2005 Appellation Collection includes one 2005 Stags Leap District designated Cabernet Sauvignon from each of the following Stags Leap District Winegrower wineries: Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Hartwell Vineyards, Ilsley Vineyards, Malk Family Vineyards Pine, Ridge Vineyards, Regusci Winery, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Robinson Family Vineyards, Shafer Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stags' Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards, Taylor Family Vineyards and Terlato Family Vineyards.

"2005 was a beautiful vintage that served up what I see as the true, delicious hallmarks of Stags Leap District wines in spades - a sweet, juicy core of fruit and ripe, velvety tannins," says Elias Fernandez, winemaker of Shafer Vineyards. "A perfect budbreak led to a long summer of warm, dry days and chilly evenings, ideal conditions that allowed us to leave the fruit on the vine until it achieved true physiological ripeness. The resulting wines are classic Stags Leap District."

Detailed winemaker tasting notes and additional information regarding the District accompany the Collection.

The 2005 Appellation Collection is $1,375 per case plus 8.25%tax applies to California sales. In celebration of the appellation's 20th Anniversary, complimentary ground shipping will be provided. 2 day air rates available. The Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association is the exclusive retailer of the Appellation Collection, the only collection of cabernet sauvignon released by an American Viticultural Association.

Consumers interested in purchasing the collection may order online at stagsleapdistrict.com/appellationcollection or for additional information contact the Association's Executive Director Nancy Bialek at (707) 255-1720.

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ADDITIONAL FACTS:

The 2005 Appellation Collection includes one bottle of each of the following Stags Leap District designated wines:

* Baldacci Family Vineyards - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
* Chimney Rock Winery - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Ganymede Vineyard
* Cliff Lede Vineyards - 2005 Poetry
* Clos Du Val - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
* Malk Family Vineyards - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
* Hartwell Vineyards - 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
* Ilsley Vineyards - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
* Pine Ridge Vineyards - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
* Regusci Winery - 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
* Robert Sinskey Vineyards - 2005 RSV Cabernet Sauvignon
* Robinson Family Vineyards - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
* Shafer Vineyards - 2005 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon
* Silverado Vineyards - 2005 Solo
* Stags' Leap Winery - 2005 The Leap Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
* Steltzner Vineyards - 2005 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 40th Anniversary
* Taylor Family Vineyards - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
* Terlato Family Vineyards - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

Availability: October 1 - November 30, 2009

Sold exclusively by the Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association

Order online at www.stagsleapdistrict.com/appellationcollection or contact Executive Director Nancy Bialek at (707) 255-1720

Price: $1,375/case + 8.25% sales tax applies in California; complimentary ground shipping.

Shipping: Shipping within California; Outside of California as is allowable by law. Please inquire.

Brochure and detailed winemaker tasting notes accompany each case

The only collection of cabernet sauvignon released from an American Viticultural Association or appellation. The Stags Leap District pioneered the creation of state legislation allowing it to sell wine directly to consumers.



The Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association is a non-profit organization of vintners dedicated to the quality of its grapes and wines of its grapes and to the recognition of the Stags Leap District as a pre-eminent Cabernet Sauvignon producer worldwide. The Appellation was officially designated in 1989 and celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2009.

CONTACT
Burditch Marketing Communications
Paul Burditch/Dan Howard
415.874.6969
paul@burditchmc.com
dan@burditchmc.com

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