UK-based Liberty Wines has changed hands, with current owner Sogrape selling the distributor, importer & wholesaler to specialist wine private equity & venture capital firm Activequity.
The transaction, for an undisclosed sum, comes four months after Activequity bought majority control of Liberty’s rival importer & distributor, Alliance Wine. The investor has selected Alliance’s MD, Fergal Tynan, to assume the same position at Liberty, replacing Tom Platt, who stepped down on Monday after 18 years – the last five of which as CEO – with the newly-purchased business.
“Liberty Wines is without doubt the most respected business in the UK and Ireland premium wine trade,” said Activequity managing partner Alexander Bartholomew. “It has an exceptionally talented team, an outstanding portfolio and long-standing relationships with producers and customers.
“We value what makes Liberty Wines distinctive and are delighted to back the business for the long term.”
Sogrape chair Fernando da Cunha Guedes added: “We are proud of Sogrape’s role in Liberty Wines’ development and the strong partnership we have built over the years. We welcome Activequity’s investment and remain confident in Liberty Wines, its team and its future.
“We look forward to continuing our close partnership as Liberty Wines distributes our wines in the UK.”
In March last year, off-premise multiple Majestic Wine Group commenced the acquisition process for wholesale wine & spirits distributor Enotria&Coe, which reverted to its original name six months later.
