Hawesko grows faster than the market again in 2006

(January 31, 2007) - Sales of € 303 million (+5.5 %), EBIT approx. € 18 million
- Even better opportunities for growth in 2007 and 2008

Hamburg, 31 January 2007. The wine trading group Hawesko Holding AG (HAW, HAWG.DE, DE0006042708) published its preliminary results for the fiscal year just completed (1 January - 31 December 2006) today. The Group posted an increase of 5.5 % in 2006, higher than the growth of the total wine market, raising consolidated sales to € 303 million (previous year: € 287 million). In 2006, the German wine market overall grew in terms of value for the first time in 3 years, with an increase of 3.4 % according to data provided by the GfK (Gesellschaft fόr Konsumforschung). Hawesko has thus further increased its share of the market. The consolidated result from operations (EBIT) was at the level expected for 2006 of approximately € 18 million (previous year: € 18.9 million, on a comparable basis after adjustment for non-recurring items: € 17.6 million). The Group's pre-tax result is expected to be higher than that of the previous year (€ 16.2 million), as the financial result improved. As expected, the tax rate will change from the previous year's level (33%) which was influenced by special effects, amounting to roughly 40%, so that the consolidated earnings after taxes and minority interests are currently expected to be nearly € 10 million (previous year: € 10.7 million and € 1.22 per share). Free cash flow is anticipated at approximately € 4 million which would be below the Group's expectations (€ 10 million). This is due primarily to many late orders in the mail-order segment which caused a high level of receivables to be carried over past the year-end closing date. This working capital position has returned to normal in the first weeks of the current fiscal year. The consolidated financial statements of the Hawesko Group will be certified by the auditors in March 2007 and submitted to the supervisory board for approval.

For the fourth quarter of the past fiscal year (1 October - 31 December 2006), the Group posted sales of € 108 million, an increase of 4.8 % over the figures for the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The Group's EBIT was over € 12 million in the final quarter of 2006; in the same quarter of the previous year this figure was € 13.6 million, of which € 1.3 million were due to positive non-recurring effects - mainly capitalised own contributions to assets as part of the IT switchover in the mail order segment. The stationary specialist retail segment (primarily Jacques' Wein-Depot) increased its quarterly sales by 5.5 % over the same quarter of the previous year to € 34 million, and by a good 3 % on a like-for-like basis. At the end of fiscal year 2006, there were 260 outlets in operation (end of the previous year: 256). Moreover, three new multiwein stores were put into operation near the end of the year. Sales in the mail order segment of € 31 million were still influenced by the switchover to the new IT system in the previous quarter; for that reason they were 2.3 % below the same quarter of the previous year. The wholesale segment increased its sales by 9.9 % over the figure for the comparable period in the previous year to € 43 million in the fourth quarter. This was due primarily to the broadening of business in Germany as well as growth in the French subsidiary Chβteau Classic - Le Monde des Grands Bordeaux, which specialises in Bordeaux wines.

Hawesko CEO Alexander Margaritoff stated: "2006 was on the whole positive for the Hawesko Group -  and for German consumer market as well, which is almost as important. Likewise, we view the development of the wine market as a significant improvement that offers even greater opportunities for the growth of the Group in 2007 and beyond."

Hawesko Holding AG is a leading supplier of premium wines and champagnes.  In fiscal year 2006 the Group achieved sales of € 303 million through its three sales channels - specialist wine retail (Jacques' Wein-Depot), wholesale (Wein Wolf and CWD Champagner und Wein Distributionsgesellschaft) and mail order (in particular Hanseatisches Wein- und Sekt-Kontor). The Group employs 550 people.

Preliminary key data for the Hawesko Group
 
(in € million, unaudited)
 
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(in € million, unaudited)
 
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Publisher:        Hawesko Holding AG
Postfach 20 15 52                                
20205 Hamburg, Germany

Internet:        
http://www.hawesko.com  
(Company information)
http://www.hawesko.de     
(Online shop)
http://www.jacques.de     
(Information Jacques' Wein-Depot)

Press/Media:                                        
Vera Maria Bau, VMB Consulting                        
Phone:  +49 (0)228 44 96 240                        
Fax     +49 (0)228 44 96 298                                
E-mail:  vmb-pr@t-online.de                                 

Investor Relations:
Thomas Hutchinson, Hawesko Holding AG        
Phone: +49 (0)40 30 39 21 00
Fax    +49 (0)40 30 39 21 05
E-mail: ir@hawesko.com