Foster’s Group Limited (Foster’s) today announced the intake for the Beringer Blass Wine Estates (BBWE) 2003 California grape harvest. The 2003 grape crush including grapes the company grows, purchased grapes and purchased wine, totalled 140,600 tonnes (155,000 U.S. tons) which equates to 10.34 million 9 litre cases. This represents a 6.0% increase compared to the 2002 harvest intake. This increase reflects increased bulk wine purchases designed to ensure BBWE can support increased demand for its white zinfandel and blush wine programs. The following table provides a summary of the key features of the 2003 harvest:

	2003	2002	% change
Total crush intake, including bulk wine	140,600 tonnes (155,000 US tons)	132,600 tonnes (146,200 US tons)	6.0%
Equivalent 9-litre cases of wine	10.3 million cases	9.75 million cases	6.1%
Grapes sourced from BBWE Owned/Leased Vineyards	25,400 tonnes (28,000 US tons)	24,600 tonnes (27,100 US tons)	3.3%
BBWE Owned/ Leased Bearing Acreage	3,740 hectares (9242 res)	3,656.6 hectares (9,141 acres)	1.0%
Red Grape Crush	38,100 tonnes (42,000 US tons)	39,700 tonnes (43,800 US tons)	-4.1%
White Grape Crush (& red varietals for blush wine)	102,500 tonnes (113,000 US tons)	92,900 tonnes (102,400 US tons)	10.4%

The intake of grapes from vineyards owned by BBWE was 25,400 tonnes (28,000 U.S. tons), up 3.3% from the 2002 intake, reflecting improved yields from vines now maturing and new bearing acreage planted four years ago. The additional fruit from new bearing acreage will be used entirely in BBWE’s luxury wines (above US$12). Red varietals comprised 38,100 tonnes (4

Red varietals comprised 38,100 tonnes (42,000 U.S. tons) while white varietals and red grapes grown for blush wines were 102,500 tonnes (113,000 U.S. tons). The split of 27 per cent red and 73 per cent white and blush is in line with last year’s intake.

BBWE Managing Director, Walt Klenz said, “Overall, wine grape production in California is expected to be down 5 - 10 per cent from 2002, which equates to approximately 10 - 20 million cases of wine. This reduction, along with the decline in new vineyard plantings in California during the last three years, will contribute to a more balanced supply coming onto the North American market. There are also encouraging indications that bulk wine pricing in California has firmed, albeit from a low base.”

Commenting on the quality of the harvest, Tom Peterson, Executive Vice President and Chief Winemaking Officer, said the overall quality of the vintage is very good. “Above normal temperatures in July and August resulted in reduced yields in some varieties, but dry weather throughout September and October yielded clean, high quality fruit with excellent colour and good flavours in the fermenters,” he said.

Further information:

Media
Lisa Keenan
Tel: +613 9633 2233
Email: lisa.keenan@fostersgroup.com

Investor Relations
Robert Porter
Tel: +613 9633 2773
Mob: 0418 288 400