Monday, February 2, 2009

Mike Weir Announces Partnership with Diageo Canada For National Representation

Legendary Canadian golf icon and burgeoning winemaker Mike Weir announced details today of a representation agreement with Diageo Canada. Under the distribution agreement, Diageo Canada will add the award-winning Mike Weir Wine to its portfolio of international brands.

With a focus on superior quality, Mike Weir Wines have become a critical and consumer success story since their inception, and one of the fastest growing VQA wines in Canadian history.

“I have always considered myself an Ambassador for Niagara wines and have proudly served my wines all over the world”, says Mike Weir. “Partnering with Diageo Canada will allow us to grow brand awareness and value, gain greater access for Ontario wineries and also benefit my Foundation”.

Proceeds from the sale of Mike Weir Wine have always gone to the Mike Weir Foundation, which was started in 2004 by Mike and his wife Bricia.

“We are pleased to be working with Mike Weir VQA Wines, and confident this partnership will compliment everyone involved”, says Debra Kelly-Ennis, President and CEO, Diageo Canada. “This is a really strong addition to our wines portfolio and a good strategic fit, with our shared focus of growth and opportunities.”

This five-year distribution agreement is specific to Canada, and will make Mike Weir one of the few Ontario VQA wineries to have distribution across Canada.

“We were very impressed by Diageo Canada’s commitment to excellence and the quality of their staff and portfolio”, says Barry Katzman, President, Mike Weir Wine Inc. “This is an arrangement that will open doors for our wines, and VQA products in general. We are thrilled to be included amongst Diageo’s portfolio of world class brands”.

“We are confident Mike Weir wines will continue to grow and benefit from our sales, distribution and execution expertise, as well as support the communities in which we work and do business”, adds Kelly-Ennis.

About Mike Weir Wines

Mike Weir Winery was established in 2005 with 5000 cases of VQA wine. The wine is currently available in every Province in Canada and current production is 30,000 cases made in partnership with Chateau des Charmes winery in Niagara-on-the-lake. The company unveiled plans in November for the building of a new Winery and Hospitality Centre in conjunction with the Niagara Parks Commission adjacent to Whirlpool Golf Course in Niagara Falls.

About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wine and beer. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in some 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com.

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