GERMANY: Racke offloads spirits brands

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 9 October 2006

German wine marketer Racke International has signalled its intention to focus solely on wine with the sale of three domestic spirits brands.

The company said today (9 October) that it had offloaded rum brands Pott and Holborn, as well as Sternmarke schnapps to local drinks group Henkell & Söhnlein.

Racke said it wants to focus on its international wine brands, which include Golden Kaan, a South African wine venture with KWV. In April, Racke also launched wine brand Espíritu de Chile with Chilean wine producer Aresti.

Racke CEO Marcus Moller-Racke said: "The very promising launch of Espíritu de Chile substantiates our strategic direction already chosen with Golden Kaan. Our successful brand development and global partnership network will get a new dynamic."

Henkell & Söhnlein is renowned for its range of sparkling wines but also owns a stable of table wines and spirits, including Gorbatschow vodka, the best-selling vodka in Germany.

Officials at the Wiesbaden-based company were unavailable for comment as just-drinks went to press.

Sectors: Spirits, Wine

Companies: KWV