FIJI® Water Announces Acquisition of Landmark Vineyards

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- FIJI® Water, the country's leading premium imported bottled water, announced today its purchase of the award-winning Landmark Vineyards in Kenwood, California.  Landmark is known for its outstanding Chardonnay winemaking sourced from the best grapes in California.

"The addition of Landmark Vineyards to the growing portfolio of wine brands in the FIJI Water/Roll Global family is an important step for the company," said Stewart Resnick, Chairman, Roll Global, which owns FIJI Water and JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery. "Proprietors Mike and Mary Colhoun have done a fantastic job creating world-class Chardonnay and we look forward to carrying on that tradition."

FIJI Water plans to maintain the wine making and hospitality operations of Landmark Vineyards in its current location in Kenwood, California.  Winemaker Greg Stach will be staying on to manage the award-winning Landmark program.

"Mary and I are thrilled that a well-respected company will be taking the reins at Landmark," said Mike Colhoun, who along with wife Mary will maintain a limited role with Landmark.  "We look forward to seeing the careful and thoughtful growth of the Landmark name that has been in our family for over 37 years."

Advising on the transaction on behalf of Landmark Vineyards was San Francisco-based investment bank, Demeter Group.  "As the preferred advisor of the industry's most prominent ultra-premium winery transactions, we are happy to have been able to work with Roll Global to continue building their wine portfolio," said Jeff Menashe, Chief Executive Officer of Demeter Group.  This acquisition follows FIJI Water's December 2010 acquisition of Paso Robles-based JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery.  

ABOUT FIJI WATER

FIJI® Water, a natural artesian water bottled at the source in Viti Levu (Fiji islands), is known for its soft mouthfeel and iconic square bottle loved by discerning consumers, well-known celebrities, and quality-conscious chefs. FIJI Water is committed to reducing its environmental impact and preserving the planet for future generations. Through our membership in 1% for the Planet, FIJI Water supports environmental efforts around the world and in our backyard. To learn more, please visit www.fijiwater.com.

ABOUT Landmark Vineyards

Landmark is a third-generation, family-owned-and-operated winery with a rich history in farming and agriculture. The winery was founded in 1974 by Damaris Deere Ford, great-great granddaughter of John Deere. Today, her son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Mary Colhoun, are the proprietors, continuing to express the family's agricultural legacy through Landmark's everyday vineyard practices.

Landmark's commitment to family and tradition is evident in all aspects of the winemaking process, including naming the wines in homage to their cherished John Deere heritage -- Landmark and Overlook were Deere family homes; the Damaris Chardonnay was named after Michael's mother, John Deere's great-great-granddaughter, as well as the Colhoun's daughter, who represents the brand on the East Coast; the Grand Detour Pinot Noir is named for the location of John Deere's blacksmithing shop in Illinois; and with a nod to the beginning of it all, the Syrah is aptly named Steel Plow.

Landmark Vineyards is located at 101 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, CA 95452. The tasting room is open daily from 10:00am to 4:30pm. Guided Estate Tours are available daily by appointment in addition to Self-Guided Vineyard Tours. For additional information, call 707-833-0053 or visit the website at www.landmarkwine.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
FIJI Water Company
Amber Eyerly
(310) 895-1084
[email protected]

Fuller and Sander Communications
Monty Sander
(707) 253-8503
[email protected]

SOURCE FIJI Water