US: Codorníu acquires AV Imports

Spanish wine company Codorníu has acquired the East Coast fine wines and spirits importer AV Imports for an undisclosed sum.

Codorníu described the deal, which was officially completed on 11 October, as part of "an aggressive plan to solidify Codorníu's commitment to the US market and reinforce its position as a major wine and spirits industry player both here and abroad".

AV Imports, which was founded 20 years ago and is located in the Washington DC/Baltimore area, is to be renamed AV Brands.

Codorníu has appointed Mike Kenton as CEO of its US Operations, which will be based in the Napa Valley in California, where the Spanish company already owns Artesa Winery.

Kenton was formerly president of Artesa. In February 2006, he was promoted to the position of chief commercial director in charge of global sales and marketing operations for Codorníu in Barcelona, reporting to the group's CEO Xavier Pages. He has previously held senior sales and marketing positions at Gallo, Chateau St Jean Winery and Seagram.

Roy Danis has been appointed president of AV Brands, and will be responsible for day to day operations, reporting to Kenton.

Danis was previously executive vice president of sales and marketing for the New York wine importer WJ Deutsch & Sons. He began his career with Seagram, where he held various sales and marketing positions, and also worked for both Paddington and IDV.