Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has announced the buying out of the 50% partner Babich Wines in Rapaura Vintners in Marlborough, making it the complete owner. The winery, one of the largest in Marlborough, which makes wines for shareholders Babich and Matua Valley Wines and some of Marlborough's well-known labels under contract, will be renamed Matua Marlborough, according to the National Business Review.
TWE which took over the wine assets previously owned by Australian beer giant Fosters, is buying the 50% of Rapaura Vintners that was with Babich Wines, according to a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange. It had already bought in 2001 the Matua Wine Company, which was based in West Auckland and was a pioneer in the New Zealand wine industry.
Rapaura winery will be expanded to increase crush capacity from 15,000 tons to 25,000 tons by fiscal year 2013. Established in 1995, this was the first contract winery established in New Zealand offering a full range of winemaking, bottling, laboratory and warehousing services.
The New Zealand wine industry has been under pressure from excess supply and a high New Zealand dollar. Small wineries have been closing or merging. "This investment strengthens our foothold in Marlborough, one of New Zealand's premier wine regions and signals the confidence we have in our brands," TWE managing director Sam Glaetzer reportedly said.
The TWE Australian portfolio includes Lindeman's, Wolf Blass, Penfolds, Rosemount and Wynns Coonawarra Estate. It has revenues of about $A1.8 billion and operates in 16 countries.
With this ownership, TWE extends its presence in India. Lindeman's, Penfolds and Rosemount have been imported for several years by Mohan Bros. Wolf Blass and Wynn’s Coonawarra were taken by Pearls Wines. Babich is imported in India by Hema Connoisseurs whereas Matua Valley Wines are already with Pearl Wines.
The deal is not expected to affect the business India, except making the increased presence of TWE. Due to the poor Australian harvest this year, the prices are expected to be steady.
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