2010 REVENUES GRATIFYING FOR CHIANTI CLASSICO: SALES UP 21% AND “GALLO NERO” SENDS ENCOURAGING SIGNALS FOR 2011. CHIANTI CLASSICO EXPORT MARKETS REMAIN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND GERMANY

2010 was a decidedly gratifying year for Chianti Classico: sales increased 21% compared to 2009. This is a significant turnaround from the past two years of global economic downturn. Now, however, it seems that Gallo Nero has overcome this hurdle. Sales of Chianti Classico in Italy and abroad in the second half of 2010 increased 37% over the same period in 2009, with a peak growth of +55% in the final quarter of 2010. This trend is promising for 2011 and indicates a recovery that seems unstoppable, even for the most prudent predictions.

This is the atmosphere in which the “Chianti Classico Collection” event (for media & market), previewing the 2010 and 2009 vintages and the 2008 Reserve will take place in Florence (at the Stazione Leopolda) on February 15th and 16th.

From 2008-2010 market penetration of Chianti Classico was substantially stable: The United States in first place (27%), followed by Italy (24%) then Germany, which is a growing market (12%), Canada, another growth trend market (8%), the United Kingdom (7%), Switzerland (7%), Japan (4%), Netherlands (3%), Sweden (3%), Russia (2%) and other countries (3%).

This is a positive trend and fully invests 2011: January sales registered a comforting 12% increase (compared to January 2010), on the strength of a true agro-food sector like Chianti Classico and “big company” numbers. Sales are estimated at more than 500 million euros; the value of bottled wine production 360 million euros; the total value of olive production 10 million euros; the value of other agricultural production estimated at 90 million euros; average farm turnover 75 million euros; 70.000 hectares, of which 7.200 are vineyards and 10.000 hectares of olive groves.

These numbers are encouraging for the entire denomination in light of the recent successes during the U.S. tour, in early February, where Chianti Classico was the star in Miami and New York and the American public had the opportunity to taste the vintages recently put on the market. The U.S.A. trip also launched a project to promote Chianti Classico at Eataly N.Y., the famous store featuring premium Italian products, which opened last August in the Big Apple: “It’s Chianti Classico time!” American wine fans will encounter the famous Tuscan DOCG from February 1st to 20th, thanks to an agreement with Oscar Farinetti’s store, which will be entirely devoted to Chianti Classico wines.