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SAN FRANCISCO – 10/02/07 – Urban, custom winemaker Crushpad has launched a new venture to serve the rapidly growing base of California wine enthusiasts in Japan.

The new company – Crushpad Japan – will utilize staff in both Tokyo and San Francisco to provide Japanese language marketing, sales and winemaking support tailored to the Japanese market, the company’s largest market outside the US.

Crushpad Japan will also handle shipping and local regulatory issues to ease the import process for Japanese wine lovers to receive their California-produced wine and will act as a liaison for Japanese visitors to the parent company’s winery in San Francisco.

Managing the new operation are Takahide Sugimoto and Makoto Kanda.

Based in Tokyo, Sugimoto operates the California Wine Garden and s.l.o restaurant in Tokyo and also established the California Wine Fan Club, which counts over 1,300 members.

Kanda, who will work out of the company’s Bay Area headquarters, is experienced in the areas of distribution and logistics expertise and is owner of the SHIP2U Distribution Company.

Crushpad, founded in 2004, specializes in small-lot, luxury wine production from some of California's largest and has more than 2,500 clients including wine enthusiasts, professional winemakers, wine bars, retailers, and restaurateurs.

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