The Saint James Company to Acquire Gravitas Wines
May 27, 2009 9:30:00 AM
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View Additional ProfilesSANTA MONICA, Calif., May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Saint James Company (OTC Bulletin Board: STJC) announced today that Samson Acquisition Company (which, as previously announced, signed an agreement to be acquired by The Saint James Company) has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Gravitas Wines, a leading producer of New Zealand wines. Consummation of these acquisitions is subject to standard finance, due diligence and closing conditions that are usual and customary for transactions of this nature and magnitude.
Founded in 1995 by Martyn Nicholls, Gravitas has quickly risen to become one of the most recognized ultra premium wineries, with exports to more than twenty countries. Located in New Zealand's famous Marlborough viticultural region, Gravitas -- especially its signature Pinot Noir -- is commonly found at five-star restaurants from Beverly Hills to London to Auckland. The inspiration for the winery's name came from Baroness Rothschild herself (the owner of Mouton Rothschild, amongst other wineries), who was patroness of the Wine MBA course that Martyn attended. At the graduation ceremony in Bordeaux, Martyn was describing to the Baroness how he felt he had become fat from eating and drinking great French wine and food. The Baroness replied, "No Monsieur Nicholls, this is not fat that you carry, but gravitas." Appropriately, given the quality of the wines that carry its name, "gravitas" is a Latin word meaning something that is of great stature, seriousness, and elegance.
Richard Hurst, on behalf of The Saint James Company, said, "New Zealand wines are growing rapidly in markets around the world, and continue to command a premium price, and Gravitas wines will be among the most premium of our New Zealand portfolio -- the quality of the wines is exceptional. We look forward to building on Martyn Nicholls' legacy and to continuing with his tradition of selecting only the finest oak barrels and the finest New Zealand grapes to produce one of the world's most respected wines."
About The Saint James Company
The Saint James Company is a US public company, which specializes in the acquisition and distribution of New World wines, and has recently signed agreements for the acquisition of wineries and wine brands in New Zealand and of the rights to Olivia Newton John's Koala Blue wine brand in North America, as well as a Letter of Intent to acquire a winery in Australia. For further information, visit the Company's website at www.thesaintjamescompany.com.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements related to the future anticipated direction of the industry, plans for future expansion, various business development activities, planned or required capital expenditures, future funding sources, anticipated sales growth, and potential contracts. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those relating to development and expansion activities, dependence on existing management, financing activities, and domestic and global economic conditions.
SOURCE The Saint James Company
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Investor Relations
Samson Investment Company
+1-818-880-5285
+1-818-880-4140 (Fax)
info@samsoninvestmentcompany.com
