Appellation America to Downsize & Reorganize

NEWS RELEASE, July 27, 2009

Napa, CA Appellation America, the web site focused on the regional diversity of North American wine, has made a tough decision to downsize its operations, reducing staff and forgoing the addition of new feature articles other than those related to the Best-of Appellation program. The economic realities of the last year have impeded efforts to increase revenues to meet expenses.

The site’s extensive content will remain available to subscribers who have relied on its database for detailed information on North American wineries, appellations and grape varietals. The Best-of-Appellation third party wine evaluation program will continue under contract arrangements with key staff who have run the program.

Appellation America began operation in 2003 and has built a monthly viewer base of approximately 100,000. Hundreds of North American wineries have signed onto its innovative Direct Marketing Partnership program that links the Appellation America viewer to the winery’s online store. Appellation America appears to be ahead of the curve in what many expect will be a long-term trend toward user-pay for online content.

Several companies are exploring the possibility for a merger or acquisition. The existing owners desire to find an entity that can secure a long-term future for Appellation America’s product and programs.

For further information contact:
Tom Welch 902 273-3456
t.welch@appellationamerica.com