FDBusiness.com

Pernod Ricard has agreed to sell, through its Mexican and Spanish subsidiaries, the Domecq brandies and wines business to Bodega Las Copas, a joint venture between Emparador Group and Gonzalez Byass. The transaction includes the brand portfolio of Mexican brandies Don Pedro, Presidente and Azteca de Oro as well as the winery related to the production of Mexican wines in Ensenada, together with the relevant inventories related to the Domecq brands in several markets, including Spain, United States, Belgium and the Netherlands, among others.

The disposal is in line with the Pernod Ricard’s strategy to simplify its portfolio for growth and focus on its priority spirits and wines brands. It reinforces the presence of Bodega Las Copas in the global brandy category.

The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including its clearance by the Mexican Anti-Trust authorities, and is expected to take place before the end of the fiscal year 2016/2017.

Bodega Las Copas is a joint-venture based in Spain and held at 50% by Grupo Emperador Spain and 50% by González Byass. It results from the agreement of both players to jointly distill wine and produce brandy and other quality spirits in Spain.

Grupo Emperador Spain is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emperador, the largest brandy company in the world based in Asia with a market leadership position in the Philippines and with presence in 100 countries around the world and operations across South-East Asia and Europe.

González Byass is a family winery dedicated to the making of quality wines and spirits, founded in Jerez in 1835. Well-known brands such as Tío Pepe Fino, wine treasures such as Noé, Apóstoles and the Brandy Solera Gran Reserva Lepanto, have led to the company becoming one of the world’s top winemakers and distillers.