unique family of wines but also a chance to own part of the company.

Chalone went public in 1984 and is the only premium wine producer to be traded on a stock exchange in North America.

Mr. Phil Woodward, president and CEO of the Chalone Wine Group, and Mr. Robert Farver, eastern regional sales director for Chalone, were in Bermuda last week for a series of wine events culminating in a winemaker's dinner on Friday in the garden at the Fourways Inn. Cosmopolitan Liquors and Chalone sponsored the events.

Traded on NASDAQ, the second largest stock exchange in North America after the New York Stock Exchange, under the monicker "CHLN'', Chalone boasts 10,000 shareholders. The third largest, Mr. Richard Hojel, is a Hamilton Parish homeowner. And trading jumped markedly from 3,000 shares per day to 15,000 shares per day after a recent full page article by the New York Times about Chalone.

Shareholders receive special prices and a chance to sample some Chalone products not readily available to non-shareholders.

The companies most recent annual meeting was attended by 1,400 shareholders.

"We like to have an extended family of wine lovers as owners,'' said Mr.

Woodward at Tuesday's vertical tasting of five Chalone chardonays. The original four Chalone wineries are Chalone Vineyards, Acadia Winery, Carmenet Vineyard and Edna Valley Vienyard.

Over 30 years go, Mr. Woodward bought the Chalone vineyard from the bank for $25,000 then set plans in motion to gather investors and raise money for the winery's future.

In 1977, the Edna Valley Vineyard, located near San Luis Obisbo, and the Carmenet Vineyard in the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma came under the Chalone umbrella. The Napa Valley Carneros District winery -- Acadia -- became part of Chalone in 1986.

In 1989 the Chalone Wine Group took a huge step in their growth when they acquired 15 percent own ership of Domaines Baron de Rothschild (Lafite).

Mr. Woodward said when the "call came from France'' from Baron de Rothschilde, he said to an employee in disbelief: "sure...ask him his first name.'' Baron Eric was the reply. "Everybody waits for that call but you just do not think it will come,'' he said.

In 1990, Chalone grew again when they acquired holdings in Washington state near Walla Walla and their Merlot from Canoe Ridge Vineyard should be ready for sale next year. The vines were planted four years ago there and the first harvest of was last year.

In 1990, the Chalone Wine Group acquired a 50 percent share in 140 acres of land known as Canoe Ridge in Washington state.

The diversification was not by accident. Mr. Woodward commented: "we decided not to build one winery so big that we lost control of quality.'' Each year, the Chalone winery produces 30,000 cases and according to Mr. Woodward, the peak for the chardonay is five years from vintage.

Among the week's events were; a tasting of the Chalone Vineyard Chardonney on Tuesday, an Appellation seminar and tasting on Wednesday and winemakers' dinners Thursday and Friday.

CHALONE SHARED -- Mr. Phil Woodward, president and CEO of the Chalone Wine Group (second from left), pictured with Mr. Robert Farver, eastern regional sales director of Chalone (left), were in Bermuda last week for a series of wine events in association with Cosmopolitan Liquors. Owner Mr. Michael Robinson, pictured with his wife, Mrs. Gay Robinson, said they are pleased to be involved with the Chalone Wine Group, which went public in 1989 and is the only premium wine producer to trade shares. Share value has ranged from $4 to $15 and now is about $6.