In big breaking news for the drinks sector, Pernod Ricard today announced the signing of an agreement to sell the company’s international strategic wine brands to Australian Wine Holdco Limited, a consortium of international institutional investors and owner of Accolade Wines.
Pernod Ricard said the disposal will allow it to strengthen its premiumisation strategy and to direct resources to its portfolio of premium international spirits and Champagne brands (Mumm and Perrier-Jouët) that drive the group’s business growth.
The transaction is the result of a continuous assessment of strategic opportunities, in line with a longstanding policy to deliver sustainable value for shareholders, employees, clients and partners, the company said.
The transaction includes the sale of a wide portfolio of strongly established international wine brands owned and produced by Pernod Ricard Winemakers, with over 10 million 9-litre cases produced annually from three origins including Jacob’s Creek, Orlando and St Hugo from Australia, Stoneleigh, Brancott Estate and Church Road from New Zealand and Campo Viejo, Ysios, Tarsus and Azpilicueta from Spain.
The business is an integrated platform from vineyard to bottle and includes seven wineries.
“With this transaction, Pernod Ricard will sell its wine division to a player of global scale, with a route to market solely dedicated to the wine industry,” the group said.
“Its wine brands will benefit from the focus required to achieve their potential, reinforce their position, and seize new opportunities around the world.”
Closing of the transaction remains subject to fulfilment of customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances. This is expected to occur during H2 2025. ✈
