Columbia Crest Winery Ships Two Million Cases for the First Time Year-to-Date

Paterson, Wash.

Columbia Crest, Washington state’s largest producer of premium wines, today celebrated a historic milestone with the shipment of its two millionth case of wine year-to-date.

This milestone is especially significant given today's challenging economy. Customers and consumers alike are looking for brands they know and trust, and the best possible quality they can get for their dollar.

"Columbia Crest has always been known to over-deliver in quality for its price-point," said Miles Johnson, senior product manager for Columbia Crest, "and this milestone demonstrates that in an environment where consumers are looking to maintain their lifestyle on a more frugal budget, Columbia Crest is one of the wine brands they trust to deliver outstanding quality at a reasonable price."

2008 brought growth and momentum for Columbia Crest. According to AC Nielsen volume data, Columbia Crest is ranked number five in the premium wine category, and is ranked the number one Washington brand based on volume sold. Since 1990 the winery’s shipments have increased 500 percent, with an average shipment increase of 88,500 cases per year.

The introduction of blends and the new Horse Heaven Hills tier, known as H3, as well as consistent acclaim and recognition from leading wine publications such as the Wine Spectator, is also directly contributing to the brand's success and continued growth in 2008.

Over the last five years, Wine Spectator has awarded 31 Columbia Crest wines with ratings of 90 points or higher – 10 of which have been in 2008. Most recently, the 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was rated 95-points – the highest score a Columbia Crest wine has received from the Wine Spectator to date.

Today marks the first time in Columbia Crest’s 25 years of history that the winery has shipped two million cases in one year. The winery hit the one million case mark in December 1996.

Founded in 1983, Columbia Crest has grown from a small winery in a relatively unknown wine region to one of the most significant wineries in the U.S. and a major force behind Washington state’s emergence as a world class wine region. More information about the winery can be found at columbia-crest.com.

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For further information:
Erin Shane
425-415-3696
erin.shane@ste-michelle.com