Great Western Announces Sweepstakes Winner of NASCAR 'V.I.P. Weekend' at Watkins Glen International Race Track

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Western Champagne announces that Ronald Hawley of Elmira, New York, is the winner of an all- expenses-paid "V.I.P. weekend" trip for two to Watkins Glen International Race Track for the NASCAR race events taking place August 11-14, 2005. This prize is the result of a nationwide sweepstakes held in part with Great Western's sponsorship as the official champagne of Watkins Glen International.

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The winner will receive: round-trip transportation to Watkins Glen International Race Track; four nights accommodations at the race track; race track tickets; pit passes; a ride in the official pace car; access to Great Western's hospitality tent; a photo opportunity with the winner of the "SIRIUS Satellite Radio at the Glen" race on August 14, and $200 spending money. Total retail value of the prize is $2,500.

Hawley is a native of Elmira, New York. He is the director of public services for the City of Elmira.

This marks Great Western's second year as a sponsor of Watkins Glen International Race Track, and the first year of the NASCAR "V.I.P. Weekend" sweepstakes. The three-year sponsorship extends throughout the race season schedule at Watkins Glen, which attracts nearly 400,000 visitors annually.

"This sponsorship and sweepstakes program has been a great success for the Great Western brand," said Kathy Antinore, brand manager, Great Western Champagne. "Our goal was to offer consumers an exciting opportunity to win a great prize while bringing attention to the Great Western brand, and we've done just that."

Great Western Champagne is a significant brand in the North Lake Wines portfolio, and a top-seller in New York State. It is a traditional family favorite in the sparkling wine segment, offering the quality and distinctive flavor unmatched by California champagne. Great Western has been bottle fermented with premium New York grapes for over 150 years and features the character of traditional, quality champagne: fine bubble, balanced yeast character, with a fruit-forward taste. Great Western is available in 750mL bottles of Brut, Extra Dry, and Chardonnay Champagne, with a suggested retail price of $8.99. Great Western Extra Dry is also available in 187mL bottles, with a suggested retail price of $2.49.

Great Western Champagne is distributed by North Lake Wines, a division of Constellation Wines U.S., which is part of Constellation Wines, the world's largest wine business, an operating division of Constellation Brands, Inc. ("CBI"). Constellation Wines U.S. encompasses three of CBI's U.S. wine businesses: Canandaigua Wine Company, Pacific Wine Partners, and North Lake Wines. Leading brands include Alice White, Arbor Mist, Cook's, Covey Run, Inglenook, Talus Collection, Turner Road and Vendange.