Central European Distribution Corporation Urges Shareholders to Return Proxy

Sarasota, Florida: Central European Distribution Corporation, urges its shareholders to return their proxy prior to the May 3, 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. James Archbold, Vice President and Director of Investor Relations, said that "Proposal 2 set forth in our proxy statement relates to an increase in our authorized shares of common stock from 20.0 million to 40.0 million, and requires for approval the vote of a majority of our outstanding stock. If shareholders fail to vote, you will in effect have voted against the increase. Shareholders are, of course, free to vote or not vote, but on matters of this importance to the future of your company, we hope that all shareholders would vote."

Mr. Archbold also responded to certain questions raised by a leading provider of proxy voting and corporate governance services about the purpose of Proposal 2. As stated in the proxy statement, Mr. Archbold indicated that the additional shares may be used for various purposes, the most likely being expanding the company's business or product lines through the acquisition of other businesses or products, affecting a stock split or raising capital. The Company has no current plans to use the additional shares to adopt a "poison pill" to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or delay or prevent changes in control or management of the Company but made reference to such potential use in its proxy statement in the interest of full disclosure.

CEDC is one of the leading importers of beers, wines and spirits, as well as the largest distributor of domestic vodka on a nationwide basis, in Poland. The Company operates nine distribution centers and 58 satellite branches throughout Poland. It distributes many of the world's leading brands, including brands such as Johnnie Walker Scotch, Stock Brandy, Jose Cuervo Tequila, Sutter Home, Torres, Mondavi and Concha y Toro(NYSE:VCO) wines, Corona, Beck's, Foster's, Grolsch, Budweiser Budvar and Guinness Stout beers.

Contact:
Jim Archbold,
Investor Relations Officer
Central European Distribution Corporation
941-330-1558

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required to do so by the securities laws. Investors are referred to the full discussion of risks and uncertainties associated with forward-looking statements included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.