Chicago Gourmet -- A Celebration of Food, Wine & Spirits Names Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois as Exclusive Wine & Spirits Sponsor of the September 25-27, 2009 Festival

BOLINGBROOK, Ill.--(Business Wire)--
Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois, a division of Southern Wine & Spirits of
America, Inc., today announced that the Company is sponsoring Chicago Gourmet,
which runs from September 25 - 27, 2009 in Millennium Park. The portfolio of
fine wines and spirits of Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois and its supplier
partners will be exclusively featured at Chicago Gourmet`s "A Celebration of
Food, Wine and Spirits".

Held in collaboration with the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) and chaired
by The Honorable Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago, Sheila O`Grady, President
of the IRA, said Chicago Gourmet plans three days of exciting culinary and
sensory diversity, all held within the breathtaking Millennium Park, which is
situated right next to Lake Michigan. She noted that Chicago Gourmet will
feature the highest quality wines and spirits along with some of the city, state
and region`s best chefs, cookbook authors and sommeliers - as well as many
national and local food and culinary experts. Ms. O`Grady added that Chicago
Gourmet organizers and sponsors expect thousands of in- and out-of-state savvy
and discerning consumers to attend the three-day event in the Windy City.

Will Conniff, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Southern Wine & Spirits
of Illinois & Kentucky said, "Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois is extremely
excited and honored to be collaborating with the Illinois Restaurant Association
and Mayor Daley for the 2009 edition of Chicago Gourmet. In particular, our
ongoing relationship with the Illinois Restaurant Association, and Gourmet
Chicago is a strong reflection of our commitment to the importance of the
restaurant and hospitality business in Chicago and throughout the great State of
Illinois."

Mr. Conniff added, "During this event, we are also proud to be participating in
a number of exciting charitable auctions, the proceeds from which will support
the Green City Market enterprise - Chicago`s only sustainable market, which
features organic and locally-grown foods."

Mary F. Barranco, Director of Education, Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois and
Kentucky, said, "We are thrilled that as part of the overall program at Chicago
Gourmet our Master Sommelier, Serafin Alvarado, and our Master Mixologist,
Bridget Albert, will be participating in some of the many educational events for
interested consumers. Chicago Gourmet will include seminars addressing the finer
points of appreciating wine and spirits, the latest trends in the food and
beverage industry, great wine and food pairing ideas, and the hottest new
cocktail recipes."

Mr. Conniff concluded, "On behalf of Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois, I
would like to thank Chicago Gourmet, the IRA and the Mayor`s Office in Chicago.
We all look forward to a great fall event in Millennium Park."

For more information about Chicago Gourmet and to purchase tickets, please log
onto: www.chicagogourmet.org

About Southern Wine & Spirits of America:

Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation`s largest wine and
spirits distributor, with current operations in 29 states. The multi-state
distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado,
Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, New
Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia - as well as the additional
seven states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah
through the Southern-Odom/Spirits West partnership. In addition, Southern has
announced a pending strategic arrangement with Glazer`s Family of Companies in
the center of the country - resulting in an incremental 8 markets to Southern`s
existing footprint. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America,
Inc. employs more than 10,000 team members. For more information contact:
www.southernwine.com.

Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois & Kentucky
Will Conniff, Executive Vice President, General Manager
630-685-3211

Copyright Business Wire 2009