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An unprecedented four-year, sponsorship contract between Ralphs Grocery Company and the Los Angeles County Fair Association makes the Southern California chain the presenting sponsor of the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition – creating greater exposure for the event and offering consumers access to some of the world’s finest wines.

According to the terms of the sponsorship agreement, Ralphs will feature elite Platinum award competition winners at its stores throughout Southern California.

 “This is a tremendous opportunity for consumers to have access to exceptional wines recognized by some of the most notable palates in the industry,” said Dale Coleman.

When shoppers see the Platinum award display at Ralphs they can be confident that the wines presented are of the highest quality and character.”

With the consumption of wine increasing among Americans, Ralphs is committed to offering customers an impressive variety of domestic and international vintages. The supermarket’s relationship with the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition enhances its efforts.

“Ralphs is excited to continue our partnership with the Los Angeles County Fair Association by sponsoring the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition,” said Chuck Ackerman, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Ralphs. “Our customers expect the very best food products at our stores.  With our sponsorship of the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, shoppers visiting Ralphs will also discover the very best in fine wines.”

The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, formerly the L.A. County Fair Wines of the World competition, will take place May 16-18 at Fairplex in Pomona, Calif.  The 68-year legacy of one of the country’s oldest and most revered wine competitions will continue in its strong tradition, which brings together a prestigious panel of wine experts to judge wines from around the world. The competition will culminate with a spectacular event on June 16 where the award winners will be celebrated with spectacular food, fine wine and spirits and entertainment in an atmosphere unlike any other.

The agreement also includes Ralphs’ sponsorship of the L.A. County Fair. Ralphs has a long-standing sponsor relationship with the Fair, the largest county fair in the country. The new contract calls for Ralphs to serve as the official supermarket of the L.A. County Fair and as sponsor of the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Marketplace, which offers wine education classes and wine tasting during the Fair, as well as other sponsorship opportunities.

Ralphs Grocery Company was founded in 1873 and currently operates more than 260 supermarkets from its headquarters in Los Angeles.  The company is a division of The Kroger Co., (NYSE:KR), one of the nation’s largest food retailers, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information about Ralphs, please visit the Web site at www.ralphs.com.

For more information on the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition visit www.lawinecomp.com.