Healdsburg, California – 31 December, 2010 – Robert Nicholson, the principal of International Wine Associates, the mergers and acquisitions advisory firm that specializes in the wine and liquor industry, announced that IWA served as exclusive advisors to Randall Grahm, the owner of Pacific Rim Winemakers, a leading producer of Washington wines, and initiated the sale of Pacific Rim to the Mariani family of Banfi Vintners.

According to the Mariani Family their acquisition of Pacific Rim promises opportunities that will lead the business to even greater heights. “It’s clear that there’s something very special happening at Pacific Rim,” says James Mariani, co-CEO of Banfi “Pacific Rim has recorded unprecedented growth while maintaining the highest standards of wine quality and business innovation. These core values align seamlessly to the Mariani Family and our existing portfolio of brands.”

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.