Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Tequila Acquired by Gruppo Campari/Skyy

Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Tequila Acquired by Gruppo Campari/Skyy

Luxury Tequila Line to Go Global

SAN FRANCISCO, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Skyy Spirits announced today that they will join professional rock and roller and tequila connoisseur Sammy Hagar in expanding his world class tequila line of Cabo Wabo(R) Reposado, Anejo, Blanco, and new ultra luxury Cabo Uno when Gruppo Campari's controlling interest in Cabo Wabo becomes effective in January of 2008.

"Sammy Hagar and Skyy Spirits share the same passion for quality, luxury and style," said Gerry Ruvo, President and CEO, Skyy Spirits. "Cabo Wabo is known among tequila connoisseurs as the ultimate in taste. We look forward to working closely with Sammy and his team to introduce the brand to a global audience."

Sammy Hagar will retain 20 percent ownership of Cabo Wabo and will continue to be intimately involved in the brand's quality guidelines and in the marketing designed to expand brand awareness and sales in the US and the rest of the world.

"When I created Cabo Wabo, I never dreamed that it would be received so well by my fans and people who really love good tequila," said Sammy Hagar. "While I am proud of its success, it's time to let the world have a shot at the best tequila on the planet and Campari can help take us there."

Cabo Wabo is an award-winning luxury line and one of the fastest growing spirits brands making this a strategic acquisition to Skyy Spirits portfolio with high growth potential. Skyy Spirits continually assesses opportunities in the marketplace to build its diverse portfolio of proprietary luxury and super premium brands. The tequila category is a very important category for the Skyy Spirits portfolio long term.

Sammy Hagar became famous as a solo performer and songwriter and later as the lead singer and a songwriter for Van Halen in the 1980's and early 1990's. Hagar's love for hand-crafted tequilas led to the development of Cabo Wabo 100% blue agave tequilas. His motto for life is "Fun, purity & quality lead to a lifestyle we all yearn for."

The addition will add to Skyy Spirits' super premium and luxury portfolio with a strong potential for growth. This addition proves that Skyy Spirits can attract great brands to its portfolio, enhancing its line for retail partners and Gruppo Campari.

About Skyy Spirits, LLC

Skyy Spirits, LLC is one of the world's fastest growing spirits companies. Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY Vodka, Skyy Spirits continues to grow its portfolio of luxury and premium spirits with a relentless commitment to quality, innovation and style. Skyy Spirits is a subsidiary of Milan-based Gruppo Campari, with exclusive US distribution rights for leading brands including: SKYY90, SKYY Vodka, SKYY Flavors, Campari, Cinzano Vermouths, Ouzo 12, Aperol, Old Smuggler Scotch Whisky, Cutty Sark Scotch Whisky, The Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 1800 and Gran Centenario tequilas, Matusalem Rums, Martin Miller's Gin, Carolans Irish Cream, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, Irish Mist Liqueur, Midori Melon Liqueur, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur and Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky. Skyy Spirits is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

About Cabo Wabo Tequila

Cabo Wabo tequila was created by Sammy Hagar originally to have superior tequila to serve to his friends in his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Sammy Hagar linked with a small Mexican Tequila maker, the Rivera family, who had been in operation since 1937. Cabo Wabo is made from 100% Blue Weber Agave and comes in four different types including Reposado, Blanco, Anejo and now Uno. It is acknowledged as one of the finest tequilas made today. Cabo Wabo continues to win top competitive tasting awards, recently receiving a double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Completions.

About Sammy Hagar

Sammy is a professional rock and roller, restaurant owner, vintage car collector, gourmet chef, and tequila connoisseur with a passion for quality in everything he does. Sammy's accolades include the journey as singer and songwriter for Van Halen for 11 years, a highly successful solo career both before and after his run with Van Halen, and an early stint with Montrose and now a Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Inductee. Throughout his accomplished career, Sammy's combined record sales, when considering the above resume, exceed 60 Million records sold! As founder of the most rockin' club in the world (the Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico) and producer of one of the truly premium Tequilas in the world (Cabo Wabo tequila), Sammy has established himself as an astute and extremely successful entrepreneur.

Source: Cabo Wabo Tequila

CONTACT: Lisa Heath of Ketchum Entertainment Marketing, +1-310-584-8349,
Lisa.Heath@Ketchum.com, for Cabo Wabo Tequila

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