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Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. Leads Efforts to Help Chilean Wine Communities Affected by the Earthquake

"Southern Wine & Spirits of America is acutely aware of the significant role that Chilean winemakers and their employees have in both their country's economy and the global community," notes Mel Dick, President of the Wine Division for Southern Wine & Spirits of America. "We are eager to do our part to assist those valued employees and families in the Chilean wine industry during their time of need."

Wines of Chile (Vinos de Chile, A.G.), an association representing Chilean wineries, puts the quantity lost at 125 million liters, including bulk, bottled and aging wine. According to their statement, this figure is the equivalent of $250 million, representing a loss of 12.5% when compared with the 2009 vintage of 1.01 billion liters. Estimates regarding damage to infrastructure are still being assessed. The donation from Southern Wine & Spirits of America will help support the employees, plus efforts to rebuild damaged infrastructure and replenish storage supply that may have been lost during the earthquake.

About Southern Wine & Spirits of America

Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation's largest wine and spirits distributor, with current operations in 29 states. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia-as well as the additional seven states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah through the Southern-Odom/Spirits West partnership. Southern also holds operating licenses and permits in the three states of Indiana, Nebraska and Texas. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 10,000 team members. For more information contact: www.southernwine.com.

Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Lee Brian Schrager, Vice President of Corporate Communications, 305-625-4171 x 1040