SAN DIEGO — July 2, 2009 — Preiss Imports President and CEO Henry Preiss was awarded the French Government’s prestigious Ordre National du Mérite Agricole honor for his consistent effort to import and promote some of the finest French spirits in the US market. The honor was presented to Preiss on June 24th in Bordeaux, France, on the occasion of the international wine and spirit exhibition Vinexpo, by Jean Pierre Cointreau, President of the Renaud-Cointreau group (Gosset Champagne, Cognac Frapin, Cognac Chateau Paulet — “The Forgotten Casks”, Pages-Védrenne fruit liquors and cordials, Distillerie des Terres Rouges, Salers, Noyau de Poissy).

The Mérite Agricole is France’s oldest civil award. Since its creation by in 1883 by Minister of Agriculture Jules Mélinein, the award has been bestowed only to those individuals who have proven to be inspirations in their endeavor to preserve traditional French agricultural practices and values. The Ordre National du Mérite Agricole has the rank of knight (around 23,000 at present, including all living former ministers of agriculture), officer (5,000) and commander (400). Preiss is only one of a handful of Americans to have ever received the award.

Preiss Imports currently represents 35 domestic and international suppliers who in turn provide the US with some 500 brands. Founded in 1987 by Henry and Suzie Preiss, the company is the only specialty liquor importer in San Diego. For more information, visit Preiss Imports or call 858-458-9172. Photo by Tom Fiorina