The US wine group, Paterno Wines International, and Hanna Winery, have a agreed a deal whereby Paterno will become the exclusive international sales and marketing partner for the Sonoma wine producer, with effect from the beginning of February 2003.

“We have great respect for what Dr. Elias Hanna and his daughter, Christine have accomplished in their family’s vineyards and at their wineries,” said Paterno’s president and chief operating officer, Bill Terlato. “With their estate vineyards in the Mayacamas Mountains, Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley, we continue to progress on our goal of offering our customers an exceptional selection of specialized luxury wines from the world’s most valued and unique wine growing regions.”

The Hanna Winery was founded in 1985 by the world-renowned cardiac surgeon, Dr. Elias Hanna, and the family now owns 600 acres in the Sonoma wine region of California.