Gallo Family Vineyards recogizes the Nation's
Top Artisnal Food Producers with the Second Annual
Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards

A National Call-For-Entries Seeking the Finest in Artisanal Foods

Sonoma County, California, December 7, 2006 - As Americans become more sophisticated in their knowledge of food and wine, Gallo Family Vineyards embarks on the second year of the Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards. The program, honoring the highest caliber of artisanal food producers, will recognize excellence across a variety of food categories and will include a signature "All Artisanal Award" to be presented to the family-owned business that best embodies exceptional artisanal food production and stands as an inspiration for other food industry professionals.

"The Gallo family is honored to recognize America's exemplary artisanal food producers and particularly family-owned businesses," commented Gina Gallo, third-generation Gallo winemaker. "As a family winery, we appreciate and understand the value of generations of experience and craftsmanship. In our second year of this program, we wish to foster artisanal methods and delicious, high-quality products that American consumers can enjoy for generations to come."

All artisanal producers interested in entering this program are encouraged to visit the Gallo Family Vineyards website at www.gallofamily.com where applications and additional information can be found. Winners of the Second Annual Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards program will each receive a $5,000 business development grant, an annual membership to the Chefs Collaborative (a non-profit organization fostering sustainable agriculture), a trip to New York City to attend the Gold Medal Awards celebration luncheon and the Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards Seal of Excellence to display on their winning products as a symbol of high quality.

Judging Panel & Eligibility

The Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards is designed to recognize and promote artisanal food producers who have been in business at least one year and demonstrate excellence in preserving and supporting traditional ways of growing and producing food products.

Entries are being accepted through February 28, 2007 and will be evaluated at a blind tasting conducted by a distinguished panel of industry judges representing various disciplines within the culinary world, including:

Ed Doyle, President of RealFood Consulting, Chefs Collaborative Executive Board Member

Malachy Duffy, Wine and Food Writer

Max McCalman, Maitre Fromager - Artisanal and Picholine, and Dean of Curriculum for artisanalcheese.com

Ferdinand Metz, President Emeritus, Culinary Institute of America and President of the World Association of Chefs

Sara Moulton, Food Editor, Good Morning America

Clark Wolf, Food and Restaurant Consultant

The 2007 Gallo Family Gold Medal Awards
will recognize excellence in each of the following categories:

· Outstanding Bread/Baked Good;
· Outstanding Dairy;
· Outstanding Meat and Charcuterie;
· Outstanding Fish and Seafood;
· Outstanding Confectionary Good;
· Outstanding Condiment, Oil or Vinegar;
· Outstanding Fruit or Vegetable.

The final and most distinguished "All Artisanal Award" will be bestowed upon a family-owned business that best exemplifies outstanding artisanal food production. This flagship award will be presented by Gina and Stephanie Gallo to the company that stands as a role model and inspiration for artisanal food producers everywhere. This highest honor will be presented as part of the awards banquet in New York City.

Applications and additional information, including last year's winners can be found on the Gallo Family Vineyard's website at www.gallofamily.com.

About Gallo Family Vineyards:
Gallo Family Vineyards Sonoma has ranked among the world's most award-winning wineries since its first wines were released in 1993. Under the leadership of third-generation family members, Gina and Matt Gallo, the sister and brother team of winemaker and winegrower, along with cousin Stephanie Gallo heading up the brand's global marketing, the Gallo Family Vineyards line of wines has become the winery's most recognizable flagship brand.

To learn more about Gallo Family Vineyards, their multiple lines of wines, upcoming programs and tasting events, please visit www.gallofamily.com.