NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 2006--The Alcoa Vino-Seal(TM) wine closure has grown in popularity with winemakers worldwide. Since the "glass-on-glass" stopper was introduced two years ago in Europe under the Vino-Lok(TM) name, it has been selected by nearly 500 wineries globally as the stopper of choice for their premium wines. Leal Vineyards, a California winery, is the newest member of this discriminating club debuting its 2005 Sauvignon Blanc in Vino-Seal, one of the first white wines in the United States to use the stopper.

Designed by Alcoa Closure Systems International, Vino-Seal provides an ideal seal protecting the wine's purity, flavor and bouquet. The innovative stopper has an upscale design, similar to a traditional crystal decanter, and is an elegant alternative to traditional cork. Vino-Seal combines the glass stopper with an inert o-ring to provide a hermetic seal. The patented design prevents oxidation and contaminates from entering the bottle, while retaining desirable free sulfur levels. In addition, no corkscrew is needed for opening the bottle and the wine can be resealed with the closure.

"Independent market research indicates there are three benefits winemakers look for when selecting a wine stopper: The stopper must protect the flavor and aroma of the wine, the closure must easily integrate into a bottling line, and it must deliver a premium image. Vino-Seal meets these requirements," said Laura Clark, Adult Beverage Marketing Manager, Alcoa CSI.

Leal Vineyards Selects Vino-Seal

Leal Vineyards Owner Frank Leal recently chose the glass closure for its 2005 Sauvignon Blanc. "The decision to use Vino-Seal was an easy one, because of its excellent attributes. Avoiding TCA taint (corked bottles) is the most important benefit, but the elegant look and simplicity of a glass closure creates a truly cutting-edge package. We were able to easily integrate Vino-Seal into our existing bottling line without incurring additional costs," said Leal.

Leal Vineyards new Sauvignon Blanc fits a needed niche for the winery, adding an "alternative white" alongside the Leal Chardonnay. It is Leal's first release of a white wine not carrying a San Benito County appellation. In this case, the fruit source was an award-winning vineyard near Clear Lake on the North Coast; the wine bears a Lake County AVA designation. Only 843 cases were produced; the Leal Sauvignon Blanc retails for $24 at the winery's tasting room. It's clean, crisp fruit expression and balancing acidity is sure to be a crowd pleaser for pairing to summer's lighter fare.

About Leal Vineyards

Leal Vineyards is the creation and collaboration of owner Frank Leal and winemaker Dave "Griff" Griffith. Their mission is to fashion exceptional wines that appeal to connoisseur and novice alike. Nestled in the rolling foothills of Hollister in California's Central Coast region, the winery was hand built in 1999 with an eye to both tradition and cutting-edge technique.

About Alcoa CSI

Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc. (CSI), a part of Alcoa Inc, is recognized as a world leader in closure design, manufacturing and closure application systems. In addition to quality closures and capping equipment, Alcoa CSI provides a global network of technical service and support to all key markets. Major markets include carbonated soft drinks, food, juice and isotonic, bottled water, beer, dairy, wine and distilled spirits, personal care, and automotive fluids. In its 27 locations and offices worldwide, Alcoa CSI employs nearly 3,000 people. The company is guided by principles of strict customer satisfaction, total quality manufacturing and technical service, all tied to specific customer needs. For more information on Alcoa CSI, visit their website at www.alcoacsi.com.

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