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Wines of Chile Increases U.S. Presence with New Office in New York

NEW YORK, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Wines ofChile announced today that it is opening its first official office inNew York City due to the promising growth of Chilean wines in the U.S. and the importance of the American market in today's global economy. The office will be housed in the new Puro Chile complex at Grand and Centre streets in downtownManhattan, which is scheduled to open in early 2009. Puro Chile is designed to promote the country as a purveyor of high quality lifestyle products, namely wine and tourism, and will serve as a retail space, showroom, event venue, business center, and art gallery.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090114/NY58783 )

Lori Tieszen has been hired by Wines ofChile to manage the new U.S. headquarters for the organization. Ms. Tieszen brings over twenty years of experience in the wine and spirits industry with a proven track record of developing premium and luxury beverage brands. Ms. Tieszen will be working in conjunction with RF|Binder Partners, the Public Relations firm of record for Wines ofChile, who will continue to execute the strategic marketing activities for the organization.

"The U.S. has become a top priority for the Chilean wine industry and we look forward to establishing a strong foothold in this very important market," said Juan A. Somavia, Managing Director of Wines ofChile. "We are pleased to have Lori Tieszen join our team to help educate the U.S. wine trade about Chile's new winemaking frontiers, upcoming projects, and our increasing emphasis on quality production."

"I am very excited to be working with Wines ofChile to represent the Chilean wine industry in the U.S.," said Ms. Tieszen. "Chile's potential is enormous. Chilean wines offer outstanding value for money at every price point, which is particularly important in today's economy when consumers are demanding value. I look forward to joining the team to help realize this unique country's marketing goals."

Chile's rise as a quality-driven producer can be seen in the promising sales figures Chilean wines have produced in the U.S. market over the past several years. In 2007, Chile's bottled wine exports to the U.S. grew by 8% in volume while increasing by 15% in value, according to the December 2007 Gomberg-Fredrikson Report. The Chilean government reports that through October 2008, the volume has continued to show a steady growth of 3.3% and the value has outpaced the volume, increasing by 3.9% despite the detrimental economic downturn, which has left many wine producing countries suffering losses.Chile is one of the only countries that has shown any growth at all in terms of exports in 2008.

Historically,Chile has been known to produce great Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet blends. However, U.S. consumers are now beginning to explore Chile's Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah, each of which has grown by 23%, 22%, and 19%, respectively in 2008. Carmenere, Chile's unique varietal, has also shown to be popular in the U.S., growing by 21% as of October 2008.

Lori Tieszen had most recently founded her own company, Concrete Marketing Solutions. Prior to that she was the Senior Vice President of the Hennessy Brand Company at Moet Hennessy USA where she was responsible for all marketing and sales of the Hennessy Cognac portfolio in the U.S., a total of 2.2 million cases, representing 40% of the company's sales volume. Prior to working at Moet Hennessy USA, Ms. Tieszen was the Vice President Group Product Director at the Schieffelin & Somerset Company where she was responsible for the marketing of J&B, Buchanan's, and Pinch scotches. Ms. Tieszen has also acquired extensive brand development and marketing experience working with Ciroc Vodka, Finlandia Vodka, Sauza Tequila, Tia Maria, Salignac Cognac, and Grand MacNish Scotch, among others.

About Wines ofChile

Wines ofChile is a promotional body that represents 77 Chilean wineries with offices inSantiago,London andNew York. Its members belong to Vinos deChile. Wines ofChile was founded in July 2002 to position Chilean wine around the world through strategic marketing and promotional activities. www.winesofchile.org

    Media Contacts:
    Robert Bralow
    robert.bralow@rfbinder.com
    (212) 994-7620

SOURCE Wines ofChile