|
It is universally known that Diageo wanted to take over Sula. Several rounds of talks took place at Sula's Mumbai office. DelWine was the first to break news that Sula had denied any alliance, after confirming with Rajeev Samant, the day he returned from his long sojourn overseas. He had held a press conference a few days later and officially denied the rumours.
It appears that Diageo was not content in going back empty handed. They made Adrian Pinto, the National Sales manager of Sula and a long time confidant of Rajiv (many even thought he was his bodyguard!) an offer he could not refuse. During my visit to Sula last month I was intrigued by his absence for a couple of weeks when Rajiv was in Singapore and the US delivering lectures at his alma mater , Stanford; especially since it was the harvest time and people in the wine industry work double time during this period.
While confirming this move to Diageo over phone, Adrian told me, 'I have had a great stint with Sula. But I felt it would be a good career move to Diageo,' who it appears are very serious about entering the wine business in a much bigger way than just the duty-free business. They have been fishing in the Indian wine industry in a major way for staff at various levels.
After Abhay Kewadkar was snapped up by UB group last year, this is he biggest move in the wine industry.
While Rukn Luthra of Seagram's was also rumoured to have joined Diageo, he strongly denied any such move. He was categorical when chatting with me on phone ' I am very happy at Seagram's. Nine Hills is my baby. We have just had our 2007 crush and are working to produce better wine this year. There is no truth to such rumours.' |
