FDBusiness.com

CHAMP, the Australian private equity firm, which is a majority owner of Accolade Wines, is reported to have appointed Reunion Capital Partners as an adviser for a planned public listing of the world’s fifth largest wine company. The A$1 billion (€680 million) initial public offering of Accolade Wines is expected to be launched in the first half of 2017.

Headquartered in Reynella, South Australia, Accolade Wines sells its products in over 80 countries and has more than 1,800 employees in Australia, the UK, Europe, Asia and South Africa. Accolade Wines is the largest wine company by volume in Australia and the UK with a portfolio of brands ranging from the iconic Hardys, the number one Australian wine brand in the UK, Kumala, the number one South African wine brand in the UK, through to the historic Houghton label, which turns 175 this year.

The Australian portfolio also includes Banrock Station, Grant Burge, Omni, Goundrey, Brookland Valley, Berri, Stanley, Amberley, Moondah Brook, Leasingham, Tintara, Tasmanian label Bay of Fires, plus sparkling brands House of Arras and Yarra Burn.

In addition to the Australian wines, the UK portfolio also comprises Echo Falls, the fastest growing wine brand over the past three years and now the fifth largest wine brand, Stowells, the number one wine brand in the on premise trade, Fish Hoek and Flagstone (South Africa), and various other premium branded wines.