EXHIBIT 16.1 December 27, 2001 Securities and Exchange Commission Mail Stop 11-3 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Dear Sirs/Madams: We have read and agree with the comments in Item 4(a) of Form 8-K/A of The Chalone Wine Group, Ltd. dated December 27, 2001. Yours truly, /s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE, LLP __________________________ Deloitte & Touche, LLP San Francisco, California