Bill Foley Forms Strategic Alliance With Australian Wine Company

Producer, Marketer and Distributor of Fine Wine Acquires Non-Controlling Interest in Wineinc

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Apr 21, 2011, 05:00 ET

SONOMA, Calif., April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bill Foley, owner and operator of Foley Family Wines, announced that Foley Family Wines New Zealand has acquired a non-controlling interest in Australian wine company Wineinc, developer of acclaimed Australian wines Gotham, Wine Men of Gotham, Stalking Horse, Rusty Gate, Mastermind and StepXStep (SXS in the U.S.).

Wineinc was founded in 2004 by Bruce Clugston and Fiona White. The wines have very wide appeal in many countries including Australia, USA, Singapore, Japan and China.

According to Foley, "We are thrilled to partner with Wineinc. Their highly successful wines represent the best of Australia and will allow us to expand the global reach of our portfolio."

Also effective immediately, Bruce Clugston has been appointed President of Foley Family Wines New Zealand and will be assuming global responsibility for Foley Family Wines New Zealand's brands including Clifford Bay, Vavasour, Goldwater and Dashwood. Bruce's impressive resume includes 30 years of wine experience as a retailer, distributor and exporter prior to launching Wineinc's flagship Gotham wine in 2004.

Clugston said, "I am excited that Foley Family Wines' New Zealand wine portfolio is complementary to the Wineinc and completes our offerings with quality 'Cool Climate' red and white wines. This alliance gives Wineinc access to the FFW USA's distribution network allowing us to enhance our impact and expansion in the USA. I see great synergies for sales and marketing joining with such a reputable wine company as Foley Family Wines."

About Foley Family Wines

Foley Family Wines was established by Bill Foley in 1996 with the acquisition of Lincourt Vineyards in California's Santa Ynez Valley. Since then, Foley Family Wines has grown to become a major producer, marketer and distributor of highly-acclaimed, handmade wines from some of the world's greatest vineyards. Every brand in the company's portfolio is distinct and autonomous with its own identity, style, vineyard sites, techniques and personnel. Foley Family Wines owns the following properties: Foley Estates (Santa Rita Hills, CA), Lincourt Vineyards (Santa Ynez Valley, CA), Merus (Napa Valley, CA), Chalk Hill (Sonoma County, CA), Sebastiani (Sonoma County, CA), Kuleto (Napa Valley, CA), Altvs (Napa, CA), Three Rivers Winery (Walla Walla, WA), Firestone Vineyard (Santa Ynez Valley, CA), Eos (Paso Robles, CA), Vavasour (Marlborough, New Zealand), Clifford Bay (Marlborough, New Zealand). Bill Foley is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors for Fidelity National Inc and Executive Chairman of Fidelity National Information Services. Both are Fortune 500 companies.

About Wineinc Pty Ltd.

Founded in Australia in 2004 by husband and wife team Bruce Clugston and Fiona White, Wineinc produces, markets and sells Gotham, Wine Men of Gotham, Step X Step and Stalking Horse.

SOURCE Foley Family Wines