Franciscan Announces Finalists in Inaugural
Franciscan Signature Style Competition

April 23, 2007 (New York, New York) - Franciscan, a leading Napa Valley winery for more than three decades, announces the three finalists in its inaugural Franciscan Signature Style Competition. Emerging fashion designers created one-of-a-kind necktie designs inspired by the signature qualities of Franciscan wines-vibrant and rich, with hand-crafted elegance-and submitted the designs online at www.franciscanstyle.com. Finalists were selected based on creativity, design, and reflection of Franciscan's signature qualities.

The Competition finalists are:

• Kimberly Batti of Wyckoff, New Jersey; 2007 class of Rhode Island School of Design.

• Charles Sharp of Chicago, Illinois; 2005 class of Northwestern University.

• Ariana Massouh of New York City; 2000 class of Rhode Island School of Design.

The finalists will meet in New York City for the May 15, 2007 Franciscan Signature Style Event in their honor, where a Grand Prize Winner will be announced. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a trip for two to visit Franciscan winery in Napa Valley, California.

The Franciscan Signature Style Competition is judged by a team of esteemed fashion, design, and wine luminaries. The judging panel includes noted designer Thom Browne, the Council of Fashion Designers of America's 2006 Menswear Designer of the Year; Thom Filicia, Host of The Style Network's "Dress My Nest;" Janet Myers, Director of Winemaking at Franciscan; and Gerald Andersen, Executive Director of the Men's Dress Furnishings Association.

"For me, the necktie is an essential part of a man's wardrobe," says Thom Browne. "I hope that this competition will bring back the interest and encourage men to wear ties regularly."

"We are excited for Kimberly, Charles, and Ariana," says Janet Myers. "It is inspiring to see the hand-crafted style and vibrancy of our Franciscan wines reflected in these designs."

In addition to the panel-selected Grand Prize Winner, the general public will have the opportunity to choose their "Personal Pick" from the finalists. The public may cast their votes between April 19 and May 12, 2007 at www.franciscanstyle.com. One dollar from every "click" generated by the "Personal Pick Award" voting will be donated to DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, up to a total of $3,000. The winner of the "Personal Pick Award" will also be announced at the May 15 event.