Pelican Brands & Marisco Vineyards of New Zealand Announce a Long Term Strategic Partnership for the US Market

CARMEL, Ind., Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Pelican Brands and Marisco Vineyards
jointly announced today the formation of a long term strategic partnership for
the U.S. market. Brent Marris, the winemaking creator of Oyster Bay and later
Wither Hills of New Zealand, created Marisco Vineyards in 2003. Marisco
Vineyards, set in perhaps the most beautiful place on Earth in the Waihopai
Valley of Marlborough, New Zealand, has two primary brands, The Kings Series and
The Ned.

The Kings Series range of wines were launched in NZ October 2009 and are a
celebration of Brent’s family heritage dating back to the 12th and 13th Century
in the United Kingdom on a small island in the Bristol Channel – Lundy Island.
Each wine in the range tells a story about Brent’s ancestors, the de Mariscos,
and their tempestuous relationship with the English Monarchy.

The range includes a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and
Noble Sauvignon Blanc, and in the first 6 months of launch the brand has already
received accolades, with the King’s Favour Sauvignon Blanc picking up a gold
medal at the New Zealand Royal Easter Show, and has been selected on the AIR New
Zealand Business Class in-flight wine list.

Targeted at restaurants and fine wine stores, this range of wines are true
examples of the quality flavors derived from our special vineyard site.

The Ned range is a celebration of Brent’s childhood. Named after the highest
peak of the iconic range of hills in Marlborough – the Wither Hills – Brent
wanted to create a range of wines that epitomize Marlborough and celebrate the
three varieties that Marlborough does best – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and
Pinot Noir.

The Ned range since its inception has become recognized as a leading brand from
Marlborough in the UK, Northern Ireland, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Recent accolades include a Blue Gold Medal at the 2009 Sydney Top 100, selection
on KLM Royal Airlines and AIR New Zealand in-flight wine lists and our young
winemaker Liam McElhinney being nominated for Australasian Young Winemaker of
the Year.

Brent Marris, Proprietor and Winemaker of Marisco Vineyards said, “We have
looked long and hard at the various options for entering the U.S. market. We had
many importers approach us to bring the Ned and Kings Series into America. Our
patience has paid off as we have found our long term partner in Pelican Brands.
Their team has just the right entrepreneurial attitude, aggressive sales
organization and long term thinking to fit perfectly with Marisco’s long term
strategy. I look forward to working with Smoke and the whole Pelican Team,
brokers and distributors to make our launch a huge success in 2011.”

J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman & CEO of Pelican Brands said, “We are honored to
partner with Brent and his team in launching the Ned and Kings Series Wines in
the US market. Marisco’s Ned Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris are ranked #2 over
$15 in NZ market, after only 4 years in the market. These wines deliver such
amazing value to consumers we are confident our trading partners, distributors
and retailers will concur and support their rollout in 2011.”

Over the past year, Pelican Brands has developed a 50 state distribution
platform through all the major distribution networks in beer and spirits and
wine. With an unparalleled national account on premise and retailer network,
Pelican Brands is going directly to the customers who enable brands to get to
consumers. This unique platform enables Pelican Brands to bring innovative,
consumer friendly brands to market more rapidly than anyone else in the beverage
industry.

Wallin continued, “This is Pelican Brands’ first announced wine brand. We have
assembled an incredible portfolio of world-class wines that we will be
announcing in the coming weeks. Marisco Vineyards is the perfect partner with
which to launch Pelican Brands’ Global wine program.”

About Marisco Vineyards

Brent and Rosemary Marris started their new brand Marisco Vineyards in 2003 when
Brent discovered a magnificent 260ha property in the Waihopai Valley of
Marlborough. After several years of development the 260ha vineyard is producing
close on 200,000 cases and is fast becoming one of New Zealand’s renowned
Marlborough wineries/brands.

February 2009 saw ground broken on the site of the new 6,000 tonne winery and
the 2010 vintage saw the first crush in the new winery.

Brent is one of New Zealand’s renowned winemakers, and when creating his new
company he was determined to have complete control from vine to bottle – the
construction of his new winery set amongst the vines on the Waihopai Valley
property ensures that the wines produced are premium quality, exhibiting flavors
and aromas that are synonymous with what has made Marlborough, and indeed
Brent’s, wines popular worldwide. www.marisco.co.nz

About Pelican Brands

Pelican Brands manages a portfolio of owned and agency premiere import & craft
beers, artisanal spirits and fine wines. Pelican Brands’ team and partners have
extensive experience in the global beverage and consumer packaged goods
industries. Pelican Brands is headquartered in Carmel, IN, has offices in the
United Kingdom and a sales team covering the U.S. market and select
international markets. www.pelican-brands.com

Media contacts:
Siobhan Wilson -Marisco Vineyards
siobhan@marisco.co.nz
Megan Hochstetler – Pelican Brands
Megan@pelican-brands.com
001-317-574-6407

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SOURCE Pelican Brands