San Francisco, CA – As we at Charles Communications Associates (CCA) prepare to welcome September, we would like to share our quarterly current client roster as well as some exciting staffing updates:   The list of CCA’s current clients is as follows:   The Bank of Wine & Spirits at Wingtip, San Francisco, CA* Broadside Wines, Paso Robles, CA Cycles Gladiator Wines, Central Coast, CA Emeritus Vineyards, Sebastopol, CA Hourglass Vineyards, Napa, CA Huneeus Vintners, Chile, South America Matter of Taste, Nationwide, USA 2015-2016 Parallel Wines, Napa Valley, CA Popelouchum Crowdfunding Project with Randall Grahm, San Juan Bautista, CA* SakéOne, Forest Grove, OR SherryFest, New York, NY The Lodi Winegrape Commission, Lodi, CA The Wines of Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay Wine Hooligans, Paso Robles, CA Temecula Olive Oil Company, Temecula, CA* *Denotes new as of our last quarterly announcement   Additionally, CCA would like to announce the appointment of Ana Roselli, as Account Coordinator starting October 6th.  Ana recently completed her MBA in Social Venture/CSR and hails from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and in addition to her work as a key part of the account team, she will help focus on growing the socially responsible client base.    Please feel free to reach out to either Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren via email at press@charlescomm.com or by phone at (415) 701-9463.   About Charles Communications Associates Founded in 2003, Charles Communications Associates, LLC (CCA) is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm based in San Francisco, California, that helps local and global companies create, build, and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective marketing firms in the wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural, and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. In 2013, CCA formed a strategic alliance with Cornerstone Communications Ltd in New York City to better provide clients with contacts and a network in two of the most important media and wine markets in the country.     ###

    About Charles Communications Associates: We are an independent creative marketing communications firm focused on strategic marcomm both new and traditional who helps local and global companies create, build and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective firms particularly in the international wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. Realizing the constantly growing potential of new media as marketing platforms, Charles Communications develops and executes new media strategies for clients driven by an in-depth understanding and experience with social network sites, blogs and other platforms.   Job Description: We are looking for a part time intern (3 days a week) who can work at our San Francisco office and who will jump in and join our fast paced team. We need a smart, detail oriented, resourceful individual who is self-motivated, intrepid, enthusiastic, and willing to learn. The internship start date is Monday, August 18th and will last for 3 months (or more if there’s a good fit).   Responsibilities: ·      Be familiar with CCA’s clients and our general marketing strategies ·      Assist with CCA’s social media channels ·      Work on client projects as needed such as event support, social media, research, press releases and more ·      Assist in sending product sample sends to media ·      General office assistance, phones, meetings, errands    Qualifications: ·      Familiarity with Macs & Excel in particular ·      Up-to-date on the latest social media trends and social media savvy in a variety of channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc. ·      Timeliness, attention to detail and accuracy are critical to this position ·      Good written & verbal communications skills are essential to this role ·      Ability to work well with others while also running with projects independently at times ·      Knowledge of the food & wine industry is a plus ·      Previous PR experience or communications education is a plus ·      Highly motivated and eager to learn   Compensation: This internship offers school credit only. Several of our internships in the past have resulted in full time employment.    Food & wine knowledge a major edge for this position.  To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter, along with the answers the following questions to jordan@charlescomm.com:     1.     What most interests you about working in Public Relations? 2.     What are the top 5 media outlets you read in your free time and why? 3.     What is the most recent memorable food and/or wine experience and what made it so?

Charles Communications Associates Quarterly Company Update Client Roster and Staffing Update Summer 2014   San Francisco, CA – As we at Charles Communications Associates (CCA) prepare to close out the second quarter of 2014, we would like to share our current client roster as well as some staffing updates since our spring quarterly missive:   The list of CCA’s current clients is as follows:   Casey Flat Ranch, Capay Valley, CA Charles Krug, St. Helena, CA Emeritus Vineyards, Sebastopol, CA Hourglass Vineyards, Napa, CA The Lodi Winegrape Commission, Lodi, CA Parallel Wines, Napa Valley, CA Purple Wine Company, Graton, CA SakéOne, Forest Grove, OR San Francisco International Wine Competition, San Francisco, CA San Francisco World Spirits Competition, San Francisco, CA SherryFest San Francisco* The Wines of Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay* *Denotes new as of our last quarterly announcement   Additionally, CCA would like to announce the appointment of Account Executive Alexandra Fondren who joined our dynamic team in the early spring. Her background in winemaking, retail, communications and global travel makes her a perfect complement to our client portfolio.     Please feel free to reach out to the CCA team as a resource for any needs by contacting us by email at press@charlescomm.com or by phone at (415) 701-9463.   About Charles Communications Associates Founded in 2003, Charles Communications Associates, LLC (CCA) is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm based in San Francisco, California, that helps local and global companies create, build, and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective PR firms in the wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural, and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. In 2013, CCA formed a strategic alliance with Cornerstone Communications Ltd in New York City to better provide clients with contacts and a network in two of the most important media and wine markets in the country.   For further information and background, visit our website at www.charlescomm.com. Also visit our blog at www.alltheswirl.com, our page on Facebook , follow us on Twitter at @CharlesComm or on Instagram @AlltheSwirl.   ###

San Francisco, CA – As Charles Communications Associates (CCA) brings in the New Year, we are pleased to share our current client roster and new office location for the winter of 2014.  The list of CCA’s current clients is as follows: Alto Cinco, Aragon, Spain Avalon, Napa, CA Beni di Batasiolo, Piedmont, Italy Bex Riesling, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany Bunnery Natural Foods, Jackson Hole, WY Casey Flat Ranch, Capay Valley, CA* Charles Krug, St. Helena, CA* Four Vines Winery, Paso Robles, CA Green Dog Rescue Project, Healdsburg, CA Hourglass Vineyards, Napa, CA The Lodi Winegrape Commission, Lodi, CA Parallel Vineyards, Napa Valley, CA Purple Wine Company, Graton, CA SakéOne, Forest Grove, OR * Denotes new as of our last quarterly announcement In addition, CCA would like to announce our new office location in the Merchants Exchange II Building (340 Pine Street, Suite 504), located in the heart of the Financial District in San Francisco. We welcome a visit anytime! Please feel free to reach out to the CCA team as a resource for any needs by contacting press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463. For further information and background, visit CCA’s recently enhanced website at www.charlescomm.com. About Charles Communications Associates Founded in 2003, Charles Communications Associates, LLC (CCA) is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm based in San Francisco, California, that helps local and global companies create, build and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective PR firms in the wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. In 2013, CCA formed a strategic alliance with Cornerstone Communications Ltd in New York City and McCue Marketing Communications in Los Angeles to better provide clients with contacts and a network in two of the most important media markets in the country. Please visit our page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @CharlesComm. # # #

San Francisco, CA - As Charles Communications Associates (CCA) continues its yearlong celebration of its 10thyear anniversary, we are proud to share our client roster and a promotion announcement for the summer of 2013. The list of CCA’s current clients is as follows:   Avalon, Napa, CA Balverne Winery, Windsor, CA* Beni di Batasiolo, Piedmont, IT Bex Riesling, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany Bunnery Natural Foods, Jackson Hole, WY Chef Elizabeth Binder, Napa, CA Four Vines Winery, Paso Robles, CA Green Dog Rescue Project, Healdsburg, CA* Hourglass Vineyards, Napa, CA The Wines of Lodi, Lodi, CA Murrieta’s Well, Livermore, CA Parallel Vineyards, Napa Valley, CA Purple Wine Company, Graton, CA River Network, CA SakéOne, Forest Grove, OR Scharffen Berger Tasting Rooms, Healdsburg, CA & Napa, CA* Wente Vineyards, Livermore, CA Wines of Uruguay, Uruguay* (September 2013 event)   * Denotes new as of our last quarterly announcement   CCA is also pleased to announce that Skye Morgan has been promoted to Senior Account Manager. Morgan joined the company in the summer of 2011 and this is her second promotion. She brings energy, enthusiasm and great skills to her role and continues to lead accounts with creativity and results. “It’s wonderful to have a team member such as Skye grow and thrive at CCA, she cares about our clients as if they were her own business, and what more could anyone ask for in business?” stated founder, Kimberly Noelle Charles.      Please feel free to reach out to the CCA team as a resource for any needs by contactingpress@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463.   For further information and background, visit CCA’s website at www.charlescomm.com. Stay tuned for CCA’s new website, coming early Fall 2013.   About Charles Communications Associates Founded in 2003, Charles Communications Associates, LLC (CCA) is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm based in San Francisco, California, that helps local and global companies create, build and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective PR firms in the wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. In 2013, CCA formed a strategic alliance with Cornerstone Communications Ltd in New York City and McCue Marketing Communications in Los Angeles to better provide clients with contacts and a network in two of the most important media markets in the country.   # # #

San Francisco, CA – As Charles Communications Associates (CCA) celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, we are proud to share a list of our current clients, which we will now do quarterly to keep media and trade abreast of our clients and exciting projects.  The following is a list of CCA’s current clients: Arista Winery, Russian River Valley, CA Avalon, Napa, CA Beni di Batasiolo, Piedmont, IT Bex Riesling, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany Bunnery Natural Foods, Jackson Hole, WY Chef Elizabeth Binder, Napa, CA Four Vines Winery, Paso Robles, CA Hourglass Vineyards, Napa, CA The Wines of Lodi, Lodi, CA Murrieta’s Well, Livermore, CA Parallel Vineyards, Napa Valley, CA Purple Wine Company, Graton, CA River Network, CA SakéOne, Forest Grove, OR Wente Vineyards, Livermore, CA Please feel free to reach out to the CCA team as a resource for any needs by contacting press@charlescomm.com or 415|701-9463. Please visit our website for further information and background www.charlescomm.com. About Charles Communications Associates Founded in 2003, Charles Communications Associates, LLC (CCA) is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm based in San Francisco, California, that helps local and global companies create, build and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective PR firms in the wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. In 2013 we formed a strategic alliance with Cornerstone Communications Ltd in New York City and McCue Marketing Communications in Los Angeles to better provide our clients with contacts and a network in two of the most important media markets in the country. # # #

San Francisco/New York — Two of the wine industry’s most respected marketing communications firms, Charles Communications Associates headquartered in San Francisco and Cornerstone Communications Ltd. in New York City, have announced a strategic alliance. With a mission to provide excellent client service, greater coverage and expert coordination between the respective agencies, this alliance will provide existing and future clients with more reach on both coasts. As San Francisco is the anchor for the majority of the California wine market and New York the hub for leading wine importers, aligning the two cities reflects the totality of U.S. wine sales (66.6% domestic wine and 33.4% imported wine.*) Appropriate given that in 2011 the U.S. wine market became the second largest in the world at a value of $44 billion (347 million bottles sold), wine associations, wineries and growers have an ever growing need for the tools and resources both agencies offer to deliver exceptional results. Bringing strategic marketing communications, social media & marketing savvy, creative events management, and branding expertise to the world of wine, spirits and gourmet food products, the two agencies have a track record of building and nurturing some of the leading brands in the U.S. wine market. These include, among others, Wente Family Estates, Boisset Family Estates, Purple Wine Company, Alto Adige Wines, Rías Baixas Albariño, and Winebow Imports. With the objective to further client satisfaction and retention, as well as offer a more in-depth expertise within their respective suite of services, the alliance now offers clients greater reach and access across the country and a proven history. In 2013, Cornerstone Communications will commemorate its 23rd anniversary and Charles Communications Associates will celebrate its 10th. Marsha Palanci, Cornerstone Founder and CEO commented, “With Cornerstone’s focus on international wineries and brands, the powerful strategic momentum created by allying our agency with Charles Communications and their California-focused portfolio was a natural fit.  We are pleased that this bicoastal alliance will offer our clients even greater capabilities and reach to manage today’s increasingly complex marketing environment.” Kimberly Charles, Founder of Charles Communications Associates said of the alliance, “I’ve had great respect for Marsha and her company over the past 20 years. We collaborated historically on marketing programs and given our keen interest and expertise in both domestic and imported wines, we are pleased to be able to offer our clients a strong on-the-ground team in the media capital of the world.” For more information on the two agencies, visit cornerstonepr.com and charlescomm.com or view their Twitter accounts at @marshapalanci and @charlescomm. *Source: Gomberg & Fredrikson Annual Wine Industry Review Media Contacts Kimberly Charles                                                   kcharles@charlescomm.com T: 415-730-0064 Marsha Palanci mpalanci@cornerstonepr.com T: 212-605-0370

San Francisco, CA - Charles Communications Associates (CCA) is pleased to announce two new hires to its creative marketing communications firm. Katie Hunter is joining CCA as an account executive and as social media director. CCA is also excited to announce that Skye Morgan, has been promoted to account coordinator. Katie Hunter got her start in the wine industry in Washington D.C. as a media specialist for Heritage Link Brands, a South African wine importer. Hunter also brings with her an abundance of philanthropic experience from working at Arabella Advisors, a company whose client list includes the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the NFL Player Care Foundation. Working with small companies to develop social media strategies and campaigns, Hunter has created successful social media based campaigns that have gained recognition in publications such as Inc. Magazine. Her knowledge of wine and experience in social responsibility makes her an excellent addition to the agency given CCA's focus on companies with a minimally sustainable approach to their business. Skye Morgan originally joined CCA as an intern. Her passion and knowledge for the wine and food industry contribute to her growing talent in this field. Growing up in Napa Valley with her parents, wine makers and cookbook authors, Morgan was educated in the world of food and wine at an early age. She spent a year abroad in Bordeaux, France for a year, which cultivated her love and understanding of wine. Her organizational skills and contagious enthusiasm are a great asset to the CCA team and its clients. About Charles Communications Associates Founded in 2003, Charles Communications Associates, LLC is an independent creative marketing communications firm based in San Francisco, California, that helps local and global companies create, build and launch brands. Recognized as one of the most effective PR firms in the wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural and organic food and beverage categories. CCA also specializes in marketing for top shelf spirits and luxury products. CCA is a nimble, energetic and focused team that infuses our work with enthusiasm, originality, and strategy to help our clients thrive and grow. The company has helped brands such as Boisset Family Estates, Wente Family Estates, Square One Organic Vodka, Cameron Hughes, Parallel Napa Valley, Domaine Carneros and many others establish a strong identity and point of differentiation that has captured market share, helped them move to the next business level or cemented them in the minds of their audiences.

SAN FRANCISCO- May 10th, 2011- Today, Charles Communications Associates (CCA), the leading food and beverage creative marketing communications firm is proud to celebrate its eight-year anniversary. Honored to represent and to have worked with some of the most successful and progressive companies in the food and beverage realm, CCA has strategically expanded its activities over the years while remaining true to its founding values of integrity, social responsibility and originality. Founder Kimberly Charles has worked on some of the most compelling brand campaigns in the food and beverage arena, including the re-launch of Gallo of Sonoma from 1998-2001, the debut of America’s first organic rye vodka Square One Organic Vodka, the launch of Cameron Hughes Lot Series wines, the debut of Domaine Carneros sparkling winery as well as more recent campaigns, among many others. Kimberly and her team at CCA continue to create campaigns that are imbued with meaning and purpose. A diploma holder from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in London who started out her career working with some of the most renowned names in the wine, spirits and luxury consumer goods industries, Kimberly enlisted her experience to ensure that CCA history would be paved with successes that cover all areas of expertise of the agency. Today the team at CCA works closely with a diverse array of clients including Archery Summit Vineyards, Bar Bambino, Boisset Family Estates, Beni di Batasiolo, Benziger Family Winery, Chamisal Vineyards, Diam, Four Vines, Mark West, Michael Osborne Design, Purple Wine Company, SakéOne, Scion Advisors, Stonescape Vineyards and Wente Family Estates. “The new American food movement has been extremely exciting these last years. We are very proud of having successfully addressed our clients’ needs in terms of strategic communications in both traditional and new media within this ever-evolving environment. We want to thank the media and marketing partners with whom we have created long-lasting and trusting relationships and who support the promotion of high-quality, sustainable products,” said Charles, “Our plan for the coming years is to extend our portfolio of great clients and continue to provide our existing clients with creative concepts while promoting sustainable development in the food and beverage industry.” Charles Communications Associates’ success reflects the passion and dedication of those who have nurtured it over the years. The agency’s team of highly energetic, intensely curious, and hard-working marketing and communication experts from diverse backgrounds, education and languages skills, with strong interest in socially responsible issues have been instrumental in this. Equally important are the clients whose talent and dedication to offer superior products remain a constant inspiration. Thanks to all of you for making Charles Communications a great vintage every year!

Boisset Family Estates Launches “Fight Against Hunger” Campaign to Help Combat Hunger in the U.S. Unprecedented Need Highlighted as Inspiration for Family-Owned Winery to Provide a Minimum of 1.2 Million Meals through Sales of its Wines June 2009, San Francisco, CA … Boisset Family Estates and several of its portfolio of top quality wineries, including DeLoach Vineyards, Lyeth Estate, Oceana Estates Riesling, and French rabbit have once again decided to partner with the charity Feed The Children in Boisset’s “Fight Against Hunger” to help combat the sadly increasing problem of hunger in American families. From July through December 2009, every bottle of wine from these four wineries will supplement three meals for a family in need in the U.S. when purchased through a participating retailer, restaurateur, or hotelier. In 2007, 1 in 8 Americans struggled with hunger, including 1 in 6 children, according to the latest government statistics. As of March 2009, participation in the U.S. Government Food Stamp program has reached its highest levels ever . As Tony Sellars, Director of Communications at Feed The Children, says: “We have been around since 1979, and this is unprecedented in terms of need.” Given the current global economic situation, the issue of hunger is more keenly felt than ever and Jean-Charles Boisset, President of Boisset Family Estates, believes strongly that with the integral connection between wine and food, it is essential for his family’s company to contribute to a solution. “The wine world is deeply connected to the harvest, agriculture and food – great wines are complemented by great meals, and thus, as part of the world of food and wine, we find it genuinely troubling to tolerate the existence of hunger among our friends and neighbors,” says Boisset. “We know that now, more than ever, even families that have never thought to seek help before need assistance. That’s why Boisset Family Estates has committed to providing a minimum of 1.2 million meals to U.S. families in need through our partnership with Feed The Children.” Helping address issues of hunger in America has been an integral part of Boisset’s company mission since its previous partnership with Feed The Children, which resulted in more than 2.4 million meals provided to families in the US. “Feed the Children was an excellent partner in our initial campaign; they offered exceptional implementation and were one of the most action-oriented, dynamic organizations I have ever worked with,” says Boisset. Boissset chose to partner with Feed The Children for its excellent reputation, strong commitment to helping U.S. families in need, and its efficiency in delivering aid in communities in every corner of the U.S. The organization owns 55 trucks to deliver food directly to people in communities that need it the most. Feed The Children consistently ranks as one of the ten largest international charities in the United States, and 89% of its efforts are focused on helping U.S. families. Boisset’s retail, restaurant and hotel partners will feature special displays and promotions to publicize the winery’s initiative, culminating in the delivery of at least eight truckloads of food to selected communities-in-need in the fall of 2009. More about Boisset’s partners and the Fight Against Hunger can be found by visiting www.boissetfamilyestates.com/fightagainsthunger. About Boisset Family Estates Boisset Family Estates is an innovative, eco-minded, family-owned producer and importer of fine wines. Its goal is to express the qualities of its wines with an “art de vivre” and style that consistently honors provenance and enhances terroir, history, heritage and quality. The philosophy of uniting each wine with innovative packaging is a vision of sustainability and desire to provide wines for every moment, mode of consumption and occasion. With its roots in Burgundy, France, wineries on two continents and a U.S. office in California, Boisset is a leading producer of Pinot Noir and one of France’s top exporters of premium wines. For more information on the company and its wineries, please visit www.boissetfamilyestates.com. About Feed the Children Founded in 1979 by Larry and Frances Jones, Feed The Children is consistently ranked as one of the ten largest international charities in the U.S., based on private, non-government support. Feed The Children is a Christian, international, nonprofit relief organization with headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty or natural disasters. In FY 2007, Feed The Children distributed more than 135 million pounds of food and other essentials to children and their families in all 50 states and internationally, supplementing almost 800,000 meals each day. Since its founding, the organization has reached out to help those in need in 118 countries around the globe. For more information, please visit www.feedthechildren.org. For more information about Boisset Family Estates’ Fight Against Hunger campaign, or for images or interviews with Jean Charles Boisset, please contact Kimberly Charles at Charles Communications Associates kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463. 1. USDA. Mark Nord, M. Andrews, S. Carlson. Household Food Security in the United States, 2007. www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FoodSecurity/; and feedingamerica.org/faces-of-hunger/hunger-101/hunger-and-poverty-statistics.aspx. 2. Food Research and Action Center News Digest, Issue #11, March 20, 2009 www.frac.org/digest/03.20.09.htm # # #

Charles Communications Signs DeLoach Vineyards of Boisset Family Estates San Francisco, CA April 2009... Charles Communications Associates, LLC. announces the addition of a new client to its diverse portfolio of wine brands for 2009. DeLoach Vineyards of Boisset Family Estates has tapped Charles Communications for their public relations efforts for its strategic insight and ability to steer brands to the right media and consumer groups both online and off. "Working with Boisset Family Estates for over a year has been a great synergy for Charles Communications Associates.  The long term philosophy supported by the parent company Boisset and expressed through the vision of Jean Charles Boisset for his exciting property and team at DeLoach is a natural fit for Charles Communications Associates," said Kimberly Charles, founder of the company, celebrating its sixth anniversary this coming May. "The conversion of the estate to biodynamic practices, the water conservation and environmental sensitivity coupled with an ongoing drive to innovate in green packaging is an arena in which we have great experience." About DeLoach Vineyards As a pioneering force in Pinot Noir winegrowing in Sonoma County, DeLoach Vineyards has been experimenting with and perfecting the various combinations of soil, rootstock and clones for over three decades. In 2004 the Boisset Family brought their eco-friendly and biodynamic approach to sustainable winemaking to DeLoach Vineyards; showing their dedication to the environment, the Boisset Family Estates tore up award-winning vineyards after the 2004 vintage and replanted with cover crops designed to revitalize the soil. New vines were planted in 2006, and the first vintage grown with biodynamic farming techniques will be the eagerly-awaited 2010 vintage. In the meantime, the DeLoach Vineyards continue to produce world-class wine by partnering with winegrowers who are equally dedicated to and passionate about eco-friendly farming practices and the production of high-quality wines. For more information about DeLoach Vineyards, please visit www.deloachvineyards.com. About Charles Communications Associates, LLC. Charles Communications Associates, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, CA is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm that helps local and global companies, organizations and non-profits create, build and launch a brand. Recognized as one of the most effective PR firms in the consumer products and wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. The CCA team infuses its work with enthusiasm, originality, and strategy to help clients thrive and grow. Current CCA client roster includes Boisset Family Estates, The Bubble Lounge, Brix Chocolate, DIAM USA, Domaine Carneros, Mark West, Parallel Wines, and Volta Wines. For more information about Charles Communications, please visit www.charlescomm.com For press inquiries contact Kimberly Charles, Charles Communications Associates, LLC at kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463 www.charlescomm.com. ###

Charles Communications Signs Golden Star Tea and Brix Chocolate San Francisco, CA February 2009 - Charles Communications Associates, LLC. announced the addition of two new clients to its diverse portfolio of consumer brands for 2009. Golden Star Tea, and Brix Chocolate have tasked Charles Communications for their public relations efforts for its strategic insight and ability to steer brands to the right media and consumer groups both online and off. "We are extremely excited to be promoting two such tasty and truly unique products outside our mainstream portfolio of wine & spirits," said Kimberly Charles, founder of Charles Communications Associates, LLC.. "Both companies were initiated by imaginative, and forward thinking people and that's a perfect fit for our firm. We appreciate being acknowledged as experts in the field of fine food and beverage." Golden Star Tea is a San Francisco brewer of a unique product: White Jasmine Sparkling Tea. Similar to champagne in its mouth feel and complex character, the White Jasmine offers a drinking experience that is at once familiar and entirely new. With a slight sweetness and a clean acidity, it pairs perfectly with a wide variety of cuisines and is the ideal choice for any refined celebration or affair. For those consumers unwilling to sacrifice sophistication and complexity in their search for a non-alcoholic fine beverage, Golden Star's White Jasmine Sparkling Tea offers a welcome and unique choice. The beverage is available in 730ml bottles at Whole Foods Market, as well as specialty wine shops and restaurants. For more information please visit www.goldenstartea.com. Brix Chocolates were specially developed to pair with wine. Based on single origin chocolate from Ghana, Brix chocolates boast red fruit flavors that won't overwhelm wine. Brix Milk Chocolate is ideally suited for light bodied red wines and dessert wines; while Brix Dark Chocolate is very versatile and pairs well with medium bodied and fruit forward red wines ranging all the way from fuller bodied Pinot Noir to lighter Cabernets. Brix Extra Dark Chocolate is the perfect pair for powerful or tannic red wines. Dr. Nick Proia, a pulmonologist and wine enthusiast, created Brix chocolates after seeking a healthier alternative to pairing wine with cheese. For more information please visit www.brixchocolate.com. About Charles Communications Associates, LLC. Charles Communications Associates, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, CA is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm that helps local and global companies, organizations and non-profits create, build and launch a brand. Recognized as one of the most effective PR firms in the consumer products and wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. The CCA team infuses its work with enthusiasm, originality, and strategy to help clients thrive and grow. Current CCA client roster includes Boisset Family Estates, The Bubble Lounge, Domaine Carneros, JAQK Cellars, Mark West, Parallel Wines, and Volta Wines. For more information please visit www.charlescomm.com. For press inquiries contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates, LLC at kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463. www.charlescomm.com. ###