CODORNIU GROUP ACQUIRES A.V. IMPORTS

WSD had heard rumblings of a Codorniu/A.V. Imports deal for months and it’s finally come to pass. The Codorniu Group, a leading wine producer and owner of Napa Valley’s Artesa Winery, has acquired A.V. Imports, a Washington D.C.-based importer of wine and spirits. The price of the acquisition, effective Oct. 11, was undisclosed.

The new company will be named A.V. Brands. Industry veteran Mike Kenton will be chief of Codorniu’s US operations after formerly serving as the president of Artesa Winery. Assuming the role of president of AV Brands is Roy Danis.

“The acquisition of A.V. Imports gives Codornίu a major strategic platform in the US,” said Kenton. “A.V. Brands does not strive to be the biggest marketing company, but it does intend to be among the best.”