Lander-Jenkins "Spirit Hawk" Wines Meet Market Demand

Lander-Jenkins "Spirit Hawk" Wines Meet Market Demand for Sustainably Grown, Family-Owned Wines

RUTHERFORD, CA, June 23, 2009 - Rutherford Wine Company, the multi-generation family owned and operated winery announces the launch of its Lander-Jenkins "Spirit Hawk" sustainably grown wines. Crafted by winemaker Steve Rued and his talented team, the 2008 Chardonnay and 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, both California appellation wines, are sourced from family and long-term grower vineyards in several prime growing regions in the state. The Cabernet Sauvignon is primarily sourced from Paso Robles and the Chardonnay from the cooler growing climate of Monterey as well as the Lodi AVA. Priced right at the sweet spot in wine retailing, these wines sell for $14 and are currently available in California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Illinois, Washington, Arizona and Louisiana with plans to roll out nationally over the next year. 3,000 cases of each wine are available.

The Lander-Jenkins' name is an homage to the winery owners' family heritage. The winery is located in the heart of the world class Rutherford district in Napa and both the estate and winery have been certified organic by the CCOF. The third generation, led by General Manager Morgan Zaninovich, is ushering the family wine business into a new and exciting period in its history. As a family that has always embraced an old world, low impact sustainable farming philosophy, there was no learning curve in the establishment of these wines. "It's interesting to see the sustainability movement take hold as if it were a new approach. It's been our approach for many generations," says General Manager Morgan Zaninovich. "We're really excited to deliver the Lander-Jenkins Spirit Hawk wines to the market, allowing a broad base of wine lovers to learn about and appreciate sustainably grown wines."

Winemaker Steve Rued, who grew up in a winemaking family, has been with the winery since 2005. The wines in the Zaninovich family portfolio, Rutherford Ranch, Round Hill and Scott Family Estate, have received critical acclaim in the Wine Advocate, Restaurant Wine, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and many top wine competitions. Most recently in the "Best of the Best" issue of the Quarterly Review of Wines, Rutherford Wine Company's wines garnered a significant percentage of the best value wines rated. In addition to broad market distribution, the Rutherford Wine Company wines can also be purchased online at www.rutherfordwine.com.

For more press information and samples of Lander-Jenkins wines, please contact Kendall Johnson at Charles Communications Associates at 415 701 9463 or press@charlescomm.com.

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