For Immediate Release

BENJAMIN BRIDGE ANNOUNCES A RECORD HARVEST OF CLASSIC CHAMPAGNE GRAPE VARIETIES

Thursday, October 20, 2011 (Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia) – Benjamin Bridge winery announced today that it has completed a record harvest of classic European vinifera grapes including the three prestigious Champagne grapes – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. These varieties of grapes are used by the winery to produce its signature sparkling wines. Benjamin Bridge made its inaugural release of two of these wines, 2004 Brut Reserve and 2004 Blanc de Noirs, in November of last year which sold out in weeks. Benjamin Bridge will be debuting its latest Méthode Classique sparkling wine, 2004 Brut Reserve LD (Late Disgorged), in early November this year.

The 2011 harvest totaled 17 tonnes of vinifera, which will produce approximately 14,500 bottles of 100% "vinifera" sparkling wines. Because Benjamin Bridge follows the same rigorous winemaking techniques and cellaring standards as the greatest producers in Champagne, France, the prized sparkling wines produced from this excellent 2011 harvest will not be released for sale for 6-8 years.

Benjamin Bridge's winemaker, Jean-Benoit Deslauriers commented:

"I am ecstatic with the record vinifera production this year - - and to have this crop in a vintage so perfectly suited to top-end sparkling winemaking, is an additional blessing. Conventional wisdom had been that these sensitive European varieties, which have for centuries produced the finest sparkling wines in the world, could not be successfully grown in Nova Scotia. We are proving this is not the case. The sparkling wines Benjamin Bridge is producing today from these traditional varietals grown here in Nova Scotia are gaining national and international acclaim from wine writers and critics alike.

Beppi Crosariol, renowned wine critic of The Globe and Mail recently described the 2004 Brut Reserve as 'one of the best wines I've ever tasted' and 'it's a sparkler that rivals Champagne'. (September 7, 2011) And Tony Aspler, one of the world's foremost wine authorities, described our sparkling wines as 'without question, the best sparkling wines I have tasted in Canada.'"

In 2000, Benjamin Bridge's international winemaking team took up the challenge to produce world-class Méthode Classique sparkling wines that would rival Champagne. An aggressive program of vinifera planting was undertaken on the Benjamin Bridge estate in the Gaspereau Valley and the winery worked closely with a network of local grape growers dedicated to quality viticultural practices, including Lightfoot Farms of Wolfville, Racca Vineyard and Robert and Yvonne McDowall in Canning, Gordon Whatley in Granville Ferry and Chris and Peggy Hawes in Bear River to increase their vinifera production. Today, these efforts are producing record harvests and providing the quality vinifera varietals to allow Benjamin Bridge to continue to produce its exceptional sparkling wines.

2004 Benjamin Bridge Brut Reserve LD Release – November 9, 2011

The Province's wine lovers await the release of Benjamin Bridge's 2004 Brut Reserve LD (Late Disgorged) on November 9, 2011. The exclusive LD or "Late Disgorged" designation means the 2004 Brut Reserve has benefitted from two additional years on its lees from an earlier release, totaling over seven years. This already acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend is even more complex, offering an unparalleled expression of our terroir.

About Benjamin Bridge

Benjamin Bridge is Nova Scotia's most prominent sparkling wine house, located in the Gaspereau Valley. The first winery in Nova Scotia to produce classic method sparkling wines using classic Champagne grape varieties, the McConnell Gordon family has been working with a leading team of international winemakers to create world-class Méthode Classique sparkling wines – producing Nova Scotia's first vintage in 2002. These innovative sparkling wines display the hallmarks of classic prestige cuvées from Champagne with a Nova Scotia signature. Benjamin Bridge also handcrafts a broad canvas of premium wines including hit sell-outs NOVA 7 and VĒRO.

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For more information please contact -

Benjamin Bridge
Jean-Benoit Deslauriers, Winemaker
Tel: 1.902.542.1560

Benjamin Bridge
Gerry McConnell, Owner
Tel: 1.902.488.5559

Benjamin Bridge
Martha Reynolds, Marketing Counsel
Tel: 1.902.209.1556 or martha@marthareynolds.com

Print quality photos of the vineyard and the Méthode Classique sparkling wines are available upon request.