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Fetzer Vineyards Announces Partnership with Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.

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California Winery Enhances Sales Portfolio with Ultra-luxury Craft Rye Whiskey

Mendocino County, Calif., September 6, 2017—In a move signaling its entree into the luxury wine and spirits space, Fetzer Vineyards today announced a sales partnership with the family-owned, ultra-luxury bourbon and rye whiskey purveyor, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co(“Peerless”). The historic Peerless will remain independent and wholly owned by entrepreneur Corky Taylor, great-grandson of Peerless founder Henry Kraver.

A FORWARD-LOOKING PARTNERSHIP, ROOTED IN HISTORY

“The collaboration with Peerless signifies our long-term strategy of building a luxury wine and spirits portfolio,” said Giancarlo Bianchetti, CEO of Fetzer Vineyards. “We are excited to partner with a boutique producer who shares our commitment to the utmost in quality and craftsmanship, particularly as the rye whiskey category continues to outpace all other whiskies.”

Peerless Straight Rye Whiskey is the first offering from Peerless in 100 years. Founded in 1889, Peerless was shuttered in 1917 to conserve corn during World War I, and was recently revived by Kraver’s descendants. Peerless has remained in family hands for five generations, and its new, state-of-the-art distillery in downtown Louisville, KY—housed in an historic building dating to the 1880s—bears the original distilled spirits plant number of 50. Taylor, who has overseen a successful launch of the product in limited release, sought a reputable partner to bring Peerless Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey to craft spirits connoisseurs across the country.

SHARING A LEGACY OF FOCUSED CRAFTSMANSHIP

“Fetzer Vineyards has an expert sales force, whose deep roots in the wine space will help bring Peerless Straight Rye Whiskey to high-end retailers in top U.S. markets,” said Taylor. “By tapping into Fetzer Vineyards’ vast network of distributors and buyers, we can shine the spotlight on this unique, meticulously crafted rye.”

A compelling, highly differentiated product, Peerless Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is expertly crafted grain-to-bottle entirely under one roof, using only American-made equipment. Malted barley, rye and corn from select locales in the Midwest, including the Ohio River Valley, are milled, cooked, fermented and double-distilled before entering the barrel at 107 proof at the family’s distillery in Louisville. The result is a complex, layered rye with multi-dimensional notes of caramel, vanilla, floral fruit, oak and pepper.

Whisky critic Dave Sweet, President of Whisky LIVE USA and editor of Whisky Magazine, recently called Peerless Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey “by far one of the best new whiskeys to come available in a long time.”

About Fetzer Vineyards

Founded in 1968 by Barney Fetzer in Mendocino County, California, Fetzer Vineyards is an award-winning purveyor of wines from sustainable, organic and biodynamic grapes. In addition to robust offerings under the winery’s flagship Fetzer label, the winery also crafts the leading wine from organic grapes, Bonterra Organic Vineyards, named the 2016 American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Other California-based offerings include Adorada, Anthony’s Hill, Jekel Vineyards, Sanctuary Wines and 1000 Stories, a Bourbon barrel-aged Zinfandel recognized as a 2017 IMPACT Hot Prospect brand. Part of global winery Viña Concha y Toro, Fetzer Vineyards exports its diverse wines to more than 30 countries worldwide. Most recently, the winery entered the ultra-luxury wine and spirits category by forging a partnership with Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. to sell its historic craft rye whiskey. fetzer.com

About Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.

The Peerless family’s very first bourbon went into a barrel in 1889. They have since revived the craft in their own state-of-the-art distillery, where they use the finest ingredients. The Peerless family believes that patience builds character and fine bourbon can never be rushed. All under one roof, the select Kentucky Peerless grains are milled, cooked, fermented, double-distilled, and barreled as bourbon & rye. kentuckypeerless.com

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