The United States Environmental Protection Agency has named Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates as a winner of the 2002 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award. The honor will be presented in Washington D.C. during the 2002 Earth Technologies Forum.

The annual EPA awards "honor the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals, companies and organizations that have made significant contributions to protecting the environment" and have been given since 1990. Nominees are reviewed by an international panel of judges before the EPA makes the final selections. Organizations representing 37 countries have been honored since the award's founding just over a decade ago. For 2002 the award will be presented to 16 individuals from eight countries, two associations and ten companies from the United States, Canada and Japan.

Kendall-Jackson, which will celebrate its 20th harvest this Fall, was nominated by the EPA and selected for its leadership in banning methyl bromide and several other chemicals from its worldwide vineyards two years ago. Methyl Bromide has been identified as a key ozone depleting component.

"EPA established the Climate Protection and Stratospheric Ozone Protection Awards to recognize acts of extraordinary leadership and innovation to protect the Earth's atmosphere. This year's winners are organizations and individuals who demonstrate their resolve and commitment to take actions that help make our planet a healthy place to live for generations to come," said Jeff Holmstead, Assistant Administrator of the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation.

Earlier this month Kendall-Jackson was also honored by the California Water Environment Association, with the winery's Skylane Cellars named as a "Facility of the Year" based on efforts which reduced thousands of gallons of secondary treated water formerly treated by the Sonoma County Water Agency, and for changing various mechanical systems at Skylane which significantly reduced energy usage. Several of the company's wineries are certified as "Eco-Friendly" by the Sonoma County and Bay Area Green Business program, which recognizes resource conservation and pollution abatement.

Kendall-Jackson's sustainable practices are well integrated into every aspect of the winery's farming operations. Extensive use of cover crops and integrated pest management are employed in most vineyards, some of which are farmed organically. A new "Precision Farming" approach to vineyard development has altered the manner used to prepare ground for planting. Recycling of water and extensive soil erosion protections, reforestation and development of open space are all in place, noted Kendall-Jackson CEO Barbara Banke, who has led the winery's sustainable efforts.

"Sustainable agriculture is at the heart of our core values," she explained. "We remain committed to an active program of environmental stewardship of our vineyards, our ranches and all our operations."

Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates produces a quality-focused portfolio of premium wines crafted from hillside and coastal growing regions in California, Italy, Chile, Argentina and Australia. Along with Kendall-Jackson, which features Collage(R), Vintner's Reserve(R), Grand Reserve, Great Estates(TM) and Stature(TM) wines, KJWE offers Camelot and Pepi brands with California appellations, Sonoma County's La Crema Winery, Edmeades from Mendocino's Anderson Valley, Villa Arceno from Tuscany, Italy, Yangarra Park from Australia, and South American wineries Calina from Chile and Tapiz from Argentina.

Visit Kendall-Jackson on the Web at kj.com

For More Information:

About Stratospheric Ozone: http://www.epa.gov/ozone

About the 2002 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Awards: Contact Meagan Johnston (202) 862-1110 or mjohnston@ifcconsulting.com

EPA Contact: Caley Johnson (202) 564-2319 or johnson.caley@epa.gov

For logos, vineyard photography and more, visit Kendall-Jackson's trade website at: http://kjsales.com and select the Image Bank

Kendall - Jackson Wine Estates

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