LION’S ROB MURRAY: ALLIANCE WITH BEAM WINE ESTATES “CAPS OFF A SOLID 3RD QUARTER.”
Australia’s Lion Nathan reported that while its beer volumes were up 2.6% for the nine months ending June 2006 and 1.8% YTR, the wine division didn’t do quite so well. While core brands continued to drive volume in the segment, the company pointed out that conditions remain difficult due to the grape glut and downward pricing pressure.
It’s not all bad in the wine business, though. Lion announced it has formed an alliance with Beam Wine Estates, a subsidiary of Fortune Brands, for the distribution of its Australian and New Zealand premium wine portfolio in the U.S., effective in September. Beam reported that Lion’s Australian and New Zealand wine imports were up 16% and 96% over the last year – a major triumph for Beam who is already in the top 5 super-premium wine companies.
Lion also announced they are tacking on a new spirits brand to their portfolio, McKenna Kentucky Straight Bourbon. McKenna is the first spirits brand for Lion and will be launched in August.
“Bourbon is the largest RTD segment by value and the second largest full strength spirits segment by value,” said Andrew Reeves, Lion Nathan Australia managing director.
CLOS DU BOIS SPREADING OUT. As the #2 selling chardonnay in California and already one of the largest wineries in Sonoma, Clos du Bois is planning a $28 million expansion that would double its production capacity. The expansion is expected to be completed by 2011.
It’s not all bad in the wine business, though. Lion announced it has formed an alliance with Beam Wine Estates, a subsidiary of Fortune Brands, for the distribution of its Australian and New Zealand premium wine portfolio in the U.S., effective in September. Beam reported that Lion’s Australian and New Zealand wine imports were up 16% and 96% over the last year – a major triumph for Beam who is already in the top 5 super-premium wine companies.
Lion also announced they are tacking on a new spirits brand to their portfolio, McKenna Kentucky Straight Bourbon. McKenna is the first spirits brand for Lion and will be launched in August.
“Bourbon is the largest RTD segment by value and the second largest full strength spirits segment by value,” said Andrew Reeves, Lion Nathan Australia managing director.
CLOS DU BOIS SPREADING OUT. As the #2 selling chardonnay in California and already one of the largest wineries in Sonoma, Clos du Bois is planning a $28 million expansion that would double its production capacity. The expansion is expected to be completed by 2011.
posted at 2:37 PM
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