Acquisitions and partnerships: Alhambra, Calabria Wines and AdVini

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 20 October, 2016

A leading Spanish brewery, a French wine company and New South Wales winemakers have announced new partnerships and takeovers this week in the hope of extending their reach to key international markets.

Calabria Wines is on its way to becoming one of the largest family-owned wineries in Australia thanks to the acquisition of a large Riverina facility from The Wine Group.

The new acquisition will assist with production and storage to increase sales across its export markets, as the company exports 70% of its production to 38 different countries.

"We are fortunate to have a great footprint in export markets and this expansion allows us to concentrate on supply for our brands which have been growing at a significant rate," sales and marketing manager Andrew Calabria said.

The purchase follows the Calabria family's recent diversification into the Barossa Valley where it operates three premium vineyards and a cellar door which will be opened in 2019.

Calabria Family Wines is owned and operated by the third generation of the Calabria family.

The purchase of the TWG site means the company now has a total storage capacity of more than 40 million litres and has two bottling lines with the capability to produce over two million cases.

Meanwhile, leading Spanish lager producer Cervezas Alhambra has announced a new distribution agreement with London brewer and premium pub company Fuller, Smith and Turner.

The distribution agreement will create a long-term commercial partnership between Alhambra's portfolio and Fuller's distribution business.

Under the agreement, Fuller's will take responsibility for all distribution of Alhambra's products in the UK, including top lager Reserva 1925 and Especial to both the on and off-trade.

"The UK market is the leading territory outside of mainland Spain and we want to maximise the opportunity for consumers to choose our products," Cervezas Alhambra area director, Santiago Fernandez Soriano said.

"The on and off-trade channels are an essential part of our strategy, and we were keen to support our growth ambitions in these areas."

In France, AdVini - owner of Domaine Laroche in Chablis - has announced plans to expand its presence in Burgundy with the acquisition of Maison Champy in Beaune, as well as Domaine Laleure-Piot, in Pernand-Vergelesses.

Founded in 1720, Champy was the first négociant to establish a base in Burgundy.

"We are very proud to be purchasing an iconic Burgundian company which dates back to the origins of négociant trading in Beaune and whose work attracts the attention of opinion leaders worldwide," Antoine Leccia, CEO of AdVini said.

"We are taking over where Pierre Beuchet has left off to promote Champy and its estates in selected markets, taking advantage of our international network."

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