TAYLOR FONSECA BUYS DELAFORCE AND CROFT

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Taylor Fonseca group has purchased the Port interests of CD Vintners, owners of Port producers Croft and Delaforce, from Guinness UDV for 28.5 million Euros. The acquisition gives Taylor Fonseca exclusive ownership of the Delaforce brand, as well as the company's stocks and premises in Vila Nova de Gaia, in Oporto. Taylor Fonseca also acquires the Port stocks, production facilities and vineyards of the Croft Port company, in addition to the rights to the Croft Port brand worldwide. The approach to Guinness UDV was made jointly by Taylor Fonseca and by Sherry producer Gonzalez Byass. Under the terms of the purchase Gonzalez Byass will take over the Croft Sherry business assetsin Jerez. Although the Croft and Delaforce Port businesses will be run by the Taylor Fonseca management, they will retain their own distinctive style and identity, according to group managing director Adrian Bridge: "As independent family producers we understand the importance of preserving the unique heritage and character of the different Port houses within our group. "We intend to respect the distinctive style and personality of Croft and Delaforce," he added, "to ensure that the Port consumer continues to be given a genuine choice. "The acquisition of Croft and Delaforce affirms our confidence in the healthy future of quality Port. We believe that wine consumers will continue to value the tradition and integrity of the great classic names. As a result of the alliance of these four great houses we will be uniquely well placed to offer the consumer the finest Ports at every level in a choice of distinctive and individual styles."

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