New Virtual Vineyards Gift Shop Opens For Holidays -- Virtually Near Everyone.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 25, 1996--Virtual Vineyards, the Internet's leading wine and food merchant, today announced the opening of a new online Gift Shop just in time for the holidays.

In addition, a new Corporate Gift Program makes it easy for companies to send gifts to important clients or key employees. These new programs allow shoppers to select distinctive gifts for friends, family and business associates quickly and easily from the comfort of their own home or office.

For those frustrated with crowded malls, untrained salespeople and catalogs full of me-too merchandise, shopping at Virtual Vineyards (www.virtualvin.com) is a refreshing alternative. The shops are stocked with unusual and delicious food, wine and gourmet gifts and staffed with knowledgeable food and wine experts.

In the new Gift Shop these selections are combined into gift baskets and samplers to satisfy different tastes and budgets. Selections range from the "Ultimate Chocolate Sampler" with six bars of luscious Belgian chocolate for less than $20 to the "Planter of Plenty," a wicker planter filled with over a dozen savories and sweets, including Amaretti cookies, and a hearty Zinfandel, for $199.

"While people have been using our services to send gifts since we first opened our store in early 1995, the Gift Shop will help us expand that part of the business significantly," said Peter Granoff, Virtual Vineyards' co-founder and proprietor. "We've broadened the selections and enhanced the presentation to make it easier for our customers to find just the right present."

In the Corporate Gift Program Virtual Vineyards will work with a company to tailor a gift program to meet its specific needs. Granoff describes the program: "We offer advice and help with selection. We take orders via the Web, phone, fax or email. We handle all the packing and shipping, and we can customize the gift enclosure. In short, we deliver delicious products that everyone enjoys, and we eliminate all the headaches."

Always open, always convenient, Virtual Vineyards is located at (www.virtualvin.com), just a "click" away for millions of shoppers worldwide. The site is designed for quick and easy ordering. One can shop in minutes or browse for hours. "Remember this item" buttons throughout the site allow the shopper to fill a "shopping cart" with selections, which can be reviewed before "checking out."

A secure online ordering system makes buying safe and easy. Personalized gift cards can be included with each order. Shoppers can order as late as Dec. 16, (11 a.m. PST) and have the gift arrive in time for Christmas. The sender can even be notified when the gift has been delivered. Virtual Vineyards guarantees satisfaction for both individual and corporate shoppers.

Founded in 1994, Virtual Vineyards is the Internet's leading online wine and food merchant, offering distinctive, hard-to-find selections. The site's Internet address is (www.virtualvin.com); its toll-free phone number is 800/289-1275. Located in Palo Alto, Calif., the company is privately held. -0-

Note to Editors: Photos of Virtual Vineyards' gift baskets and other products are available; please contact Nandita Dhume of SIPR at 415/562-0845 or (nandita@sipr.com)

CONTACT: Virtual Vineyards, Palo Alto

Cyndy Ainsworth, 415/938-9463

cyndy@virtualvin.com

or

SIPR

Michael Coates, 415/562-0842

michael@sipr.com