SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 11, 2006 - Ventana Vineyards, an award winning premium estate winery located in the Arroyo Seco viticultural area of Monterey County, was acquired by a Monterey-based private investment group focused on investments in the agribusiness sector. The acquisition includes the 373-acre Ventana Vineyard, as well as the Ventana Vineyards brand, inventory and winemaking facility. Demeter Group, an investment banking and corporate development advisory firm specializing in consumer companies, advised Ventana Vineyards on the transaction.

Founded in 1972 by Douglas and LuAnn Meador, Ventana Vineyards has been recognized as a pioneer in cool-climate grape growing and has contributed to the advancement of viticulture in many areas, including close vine spacing, vertical trellising, clonal selection and rootstock studies. Since its inception, the high quality of the wine produced from the Ventana Vineyard has been consistently recognized with a large number of awards in wine tastings and competitions around the world, leading to its claim as "The Most Award Winning Single Vineyard in America." Following the transaction, LuAnn Meador will continue to manage Ventana Vineyards’ national sales and marketing efforts.