Every month, just-drinks looks at the M&A activity across all categories of the global drinks industry

Every month, just-drinks looks at the M&A activity across all categories of the global drinks industry

Here, just-drinks consolidates the M&A activity in the global drinks industry during April.

Wine

Henkell & Co takes majority stake in Lithuanian distributor Filipopolis

German wine group Henkell & Co has followed up its acquisition of sparkling wine company Freixenet with the purchase of Lithuanian distributor Filipopolis.

CHAMP finds a suitor for Accolade Wines as Carlyle talks come good

Accolade Wines finally has a new owner, with Australian private equity group CHAMP and Constellation Brands securing a sale of the company to The Carlyle Group.

"Some in the wine industry need to acknowledge that businesses need to make money" - just-drinks talks to CHAMP CEO John Haddock

Earlier today, Australian private equity group CHAMP announced the divestment of Accolade Wines to The Carlyle Group for AUD1bn (US$768m). The news marks the end of CHAMP's association in wine, which started in 2011 when it bought 80% of Constellation Brands' Australian and UK wine operations for AUD290m (then-US$290m). Having spoken to CHAMP CEO John Haddock at the time of the purchase, it seemed only right for just-drinks to grab him for one final chat, to find out what CHAMP is passing over, why they're selling and what wine lessons the group learnt over the last seven years.

Foley Family Wines takes over King Estate Winery's Acrobat wine

Foley Family Wines has bought Oregon's Acrobat wine brand from King Estate Winery.

Halewood Wines & Spirits offloads Romanian wine operations to Alexandrion Group

Halewood Wines & Spirits is understood to have sold off its entire Romanian wine business to domestic spirits firm Alexandrion Group.

AdVini snaps up majority share in Stellenbosch Vineyards

French wine firm AdVini has upped its presence in South Africa with a major stake purchase in the country's Stellenbosch Vineyards.

Grupo Codorníu confirms The Carlyle Group offer rejection; opens door to minority partner

Spanish cava producer Grupo Codorníu has rejected a bid from US equity fund The Carlyle Group, but has said it is open to bringing a minority partner onboard.

Beer

Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anadolu Efes complete Russia, Ukraine merger

Anheuser-Busch InBev and Anadolu Efes have completed the combination of their existing Russia and Ukraine businesses.

Cider

BrewDog moves into cider with Hawkes purchase

BrewDog has acquired London-based cider company Hawkes.

Spirits

Hotaling & Co makes rum move with Denizen stake acquisition

Hotaling & Co, the new name for US-based Anchor Distilling Co, has lined up a stake purchase in the Denizen rum brand.

Luxco acquires majority interest in Niche Drinks

US spirits firm Luxco has purchased a controlling interest in Northern Irish liqueur and whiskey company Niche Drinks.

Anheuser-Busch InBev buys Master of Malt parent, Atom Group

Anheuser-Busch InBev has utilised its ZX Ventures development division to acquire UK-based e-commerce drinks business Atom Group.

Beam Suntory completes ABV Brands takeover in South Africa

Beam Suntory has taken full control of its South African distributor, ABV Brands, two years after buying a 50% stake.

Amber Beverage Group lines up Think Spirits Australia stake purchase

SPI's Amber Beverage Group division has agreed to acquire a majority share in an Australian spirits distributor.

Bacardi closes Patrón Spirits International takeover

Bacardi has completed its acquisition of the parent company of the Patron Tequila brand.

The remarkable story of Patrón Tequila - Focus

In January, Bacardi announced its agreement to acquire full control of Patrón Spirits International. Here, just-drinks looks at the history of the company - famed for its namesake ultra-premium Tequila portfolio - and charts Bacardi's journey from stakeholder to outright owner.

Soft Drinks

Mahou San Miguel buys control of Aguas del Valle de La Orotava bottled water firm

Spain's biggest domestic brewer, Mahou San Miguel, has bought a majority stake in bottled mineral water company Aguas del Valle de La Orotava.

Kirin's Lion Dairy & Drinks unit invests in Remedy Kombucha

Kirin's Australian unit has made an investment in a kombucha brand. Lion Dairy & Drinks said late last month that Remedy Kombucha accepted a minority investment from the company.

Lassonde Industries splashes US$150m on Old Orchard Brands

Lassonde Industries has lined up the addition of juice and soft drinks producer Old Orchard Brands as the group looks to grow its US footprint.

The End of Conviviality

C&C Group begins Conviviality carve-up with Matthew Clark, Bibendum purchase

C&C Group has confirmed its acquisition of Matthew Clark and Bibendum PLB, two UK alcohol distribution units from the failed Conviviality group that applied for administration last week.

Conviviality offloads Bargain Booze, Wine Rack to Bestway Wholesale

Conviviality, the beleaguered UK beverage group, has sold its retail business to Bestway Wholesale for a reported GBP7m (US$10m).

Conviviality - Boy, that escalated quickly - Comment

The remarkable speed of Conviviality's tumble from grace has surprised even the most seasoned drinks industry executive here in the UK. How could a company go from posting an 85% leap in full-year sales in May last year, to announcing the pending appointment of administrators in late-March.