Global law firm Ashurst has advised Pernod Ricard on the sale of its international strategic wine brands to Australian Wine Holdco Limited (AWL), a consortium of international institutional investors and owner of Accolade Wines. The transaction includes the sale of a wide portfolio of international wine brands owned and produced by Pernod Ricard Winemakers, including those in Australia, New Zealand and Spain. Completion is conditional upon certain regulatory approvals.
Pernod Ricard is a global wine and spirits group managing a portfolio of internationally recognised brands and iconic Australian wines Jacob’s Creek, St Hugo and George Wyndham through Pernod Ricard Winemakers as well as New Zealand and Spanish brands Brancott Estate, Stoneleigh, Church Road, Campo Biejo and Tarsus. The group represents 240 premium brands available in more than 160 countries.
AWL is a consortium of international institutional investors which comprises funds backed by Bain Capital, Intermediate Capital Group, Capital Four, Sona Asset Management, and Samuel Terry Asset Management and owner of Accolade Wines.
Partner Anton Harris said:
“We are delighted to have worked with Pernod Ricard on its sale to Australian Wine HoldCo and the merger with Accolade Wines, a deal that showcases our firm’s adept handling of complex, multi-jurisdictional deals. We look forward to continuing to work with Pernod Ricard to complete this transaction.”
Partner Anita Choi added:
“The strategic agreement to sell Pernod Ricard’s wine brands to Australian Wine Holdco and merge with Accolade Wines marks a pivotal moment in the wine industry’s landscape. By selling its wine business, Pernod Ricard is doubling its commitment to premiumisation, channelling its resources into the continued growth and development of its distinguished spirits and champagne portfolio.”
The Ashurst team was led by partners and , who were assisted by: partners , and , consultants and , counsel , and senior associates , , , , , and (Corporate Transactions); partners , counsel , and senior associate Jacinta Pitos (Projects & Energy Transition); partners and and senior associate (Employment); partners , and and senior associate (Global Loans); partner and senior associate (Competition), partner and senior associate (Digital Economy Transactions), partners , and , counsel , and senior associate (Tax); partners and , consultant , and senior associate (Dispute Resolution); partners and and senior associate (Real Estate); senior manager Krystal Jackson, manager Jennifer Priestley, specialist Helen Campbell and senior analyst Aleena Alex (Ashurst Advance, eDiscovery); partner and counsel (Corporate Transactions, Shanghai); partner , counsel , and senior associate (Corporate Transactions, Madrid); senior associate (Global Loans, Madrid); partner (Competition, Madrid); associates and (Real Estate, Madrid); senior associate (Dispute Resolution, Madrid); and counsel (Employment, Madrid).
