EXHIBIT 99.1


         SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS RETAINS CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST
                         COMPANY AS NEW TRANSFER AGENT


September 6, 2002

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Thomas R. Eakin, Chief Financial Officer (707) 824-2001

SEBASTOPOL,  CA  ....................  SonomaWest Holdings,  Inc. (NASDAQ: SWHI)
(formerly  Vacu-dry  Company) today  announced that it has retained  Continental
Stock  Transfer & Trust  Company as its new transfer  agent  replacing  American
Stock  Transfer & Trust  Company in that capacity  effective  September 6, 2002.
Shareholders can contact Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company,  located at
17 Battery Place,  New York, New York  10004-1123,  through its customer service
line, (212) 509-4000.

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