Amici Cellars
P.O. Box 399
Rutherford, CA  94573
CONTACT:  Bob Shepard (707) 967-9560
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         

AMICI CELLARS WELCOMES JOEL AIKEN
AS WINEMAKER AND PARTNER

ST. HELENA, CA. (February 5, 2010) – Amici Cellars of St. Helena, California, has announced that wine industry veteran Joel Aiken will join the company as Winemaker and Partner, effective immediately.  Aiken is an internationally known winemaker who is celebrated for producing award winning Cabernet Sauvignon wines.  Aiken recently left his position as Vice President of Winemaking for world-renowned Beaulieu Vineyard (BV), where for 25 years he made the highly praised BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon label.

“We’re thrilled to have a winemaker with such a long history of making superb wines from Napa Valley,” said Bob Shepard, Managing Partner of Amici Cellars.  “Joel has a reputation around the world as a brilliant winemaker, and we know that he can make some fabulous wines for Amici Cellars.”

Aiken will bring his expertise in both traditional winemaking techniques as well as the latest innovations to Amici Cellars.   “I loved getting to learn from the likes of André Tchelistcheff and Michel Rolland during my career at BV, and now I’m excited to take that experience to Amici.  Amici is a small, premium label with fantastic potential and I’m thrilled to be part of their team.”

Amici Cellars is an award-winning winery in the Napa Valley that focuses on handcrafted, limited-production wines.  Amici Cellars produces several vineyard-designated Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, a Mendocino Pinot Noir, and a Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc.

For additional information contact Amici Cellars, P.O. Box 399, Rutherford, CA 94573; Telephone (707) 967-9560 or go online to www.amicicellars.com