(FLORENCE, ITALY and SEATTLE, November 28, 2005)—The World Barista Championship Ltd. (WBC) naamed La Marzocco s.r.l. of Florence, Italy and Seattle the Official Espresso Machine of the World Barista Championship for 2006 through 2008. La Marzocco GB/5 machines were selected based on a stringent test by the WBC Technical Standards Committee.

Testing focused on international sales, support and service feasibility as well as technical performance. The WBC Board of Directors selected the highest scoring machine, La Marzocco GB/5.

"Several of our competitors delivered improved, high performance machines to the WBC Technical Standards Committee," said La Marzocco President Ron Cook. "We salute the joint effort to lift the quality standard for our industry higher. The movement to higher quality beverages requires a commitment from the manufacturers."

Designers of the La Marzocco GB/5 included Florence-based Piero Bambi and Roberto Bianchi and Seattle-based Bill Crossland. Bambi is son and nephew of the Fratelli Bambi (Bambi Brothers) that founded La Marzocco in 1927.

An artisan espresso equipment manufacturer based in the hills outside Florence, Italy, La Marzocco has built distribution partnerships in 40 countries. Its commitment to espresso, the beverage, and the people who make it have been its passion for 78 years.  It proudly produces equipment used in the World Barista Championship from its inception in 2000 through 2008. For more information, visit www.lamarzocco.com .

Contacts:    Ron Cook, president
   La Marzocco s.r.l.
   +39.055.401390
   ron@lamarzocco.com

   Kelly Traw, VP of marketing
   Espresso Specialists, Inc. (U.S. partner since 1978)
   206.784.9563, ext. 34
   kelly.traw@esiespresso.com