Mr. Andrew Howard reports

DIAMOND ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS ANNOUNCES VOTING RESULTS FROM ITS ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc. has released the results of voting at its annual general and special meeting of shareholders (AGM) held yesterday in Toronto.

The following matters were approved at the AGM by at least 95 per cent of the votes cast thereon:

• Appointment of David Beutel, Guy Blanchette, John De Sousa, Claude Gilbert, Keith Harris, Andrew Howard and Ron McEachern as directors of the company;
• Appointment of MNP LLC as the auditor of the company;
• Annual approval of the company's stock option plan;
• Approval of increase of deferred share units pool;
• Approval of the share issuance to a related party. Specifically, minority shareholder approval was obtained, with 98.80 per cent of the eligible votes being cast in favour of the resolution to approve the issuance of common shares of the company to Lassonde Industries Inc. and its related entities, and 1.2 per cent of the eligible votes cast being opposed to the resolution.

In the board of directors meeting immediately after the AGM, the following individuals were appointed officers of the company:

• Mr. Beutel as chairman;
• Mr. Howard as president and chief executive officer;
• Ryan Conte as chief financial officer;
• Tim McChesney as senior vice-president, marketing and strategy;
• Andrew Green as vice-president and secretary.

About Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc.

Diamond Estates is a producer of high-quality wines and ciders, as well as a sales agent for over 120 beverage alcohol brands across Canada. The company operates five production facilities, four in Ontario and one in British Columbia, that produce predominantly VQA wines under such brand names as 20 Bees, Creekside, EastDell, Lakeview Cellars, Mindful, Queenston Mile, Shiny Apple Cider, Fresh, Proud Pour, Red Tractor, Seasons, Serenity and Backyard Vineyards.

Through its commercial division, Trajectory Beverage Partners, the company is the sales agent for many leading international brands in all regions of the country as well as a distributor in the Western Canadian provinces. These recognizable brands include Josh wines from California, Fat Bastard, Meffre, Pierre Chavin and Andre Lurton wines from France, Brimincourt Champagne from France, Merlet and Larsen Cognacs from France, Kaiken wines from Argentina, Blue Nun and Erben wines from Germany, Calabria Family Estate Wines and McWilliams Wines from Australia, Saint Clair Family Estate Wines and Yealands Family Wines from New Zealand, Redemption Bourbon and Rye whiskies from the United States, Gray Whale Gin from California, Storywood and Cofradia Tequilas from Mexico, Magnum Cream Liqueur from Scotland, Talamonti and Cielo wines from Italy, Catedral and Cabeca de Toiro wines from Portugal, Waterloo Beer & Radlers from Canada, Landshark Lager from the U.S., Edinburgh Gin, Tamdhu, Glengoyne and Smokehead single-malt Scotch whiskies from Scotland, Islay Mist, Grand MacNish and Waterproof whiskies from Scotland, C. Mondavi & Family wines, including C.K. Mondavi and Charles Krug, from Napa, Wize Spirits, Hounds Vodka and Valley of Mother of God Gins from Canada, Bols Vodka from Amsterdam, Koyle Family Wines from Chile, and Pearse Lyons whiskies and gins from Ireland.