Winebow Adds On

Winebow, a wine importer backed by Freeman Spogli & Co., has agreed to acquire Click Wine Group, a wine marketing and branding company whose products include Fat Bastard from France, Root:1 from Chile, and Clean Slate from Germany. No financial terms were disclosed.

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

Leonardo LoCascio, President, CEO and founder of Winebow, Inc., and Peter Click, President, CEO and founder of Click Wine Group, announced today the signing of an agreement for Winebow to acquire Click Wine Group and all company-owned brands.

 

Winebow is America's leading importer of fine Italian wines and a major importer and distributor of wines from around the world. The company also owns significant distribution operations in key Northeast markets. Click Wine Group is a leader in creating and developing innovative super-premium wine brands from around the world, including category leaders Fat Bastard from France, Root:1 from Chile, and Clean Slate from Germany.

 

“This acquisition will result in a 1.5MM-case import portfolio from virtually all of the best wine regions in the world, advancing our aim to be the leading super-premium import wine supplier in the USA,” said Mr. LoCascio. “We are very excited about the successful brands Click Wine Group has created using their innovative business model, and look forward to working with their team to take them, as well as our own key brands, to the next level.”

 

Click Wine Group will continue to be based in Seattle under the same name, operating as a division of Winebow. Click Wine Group will continue to create and launch successful consumer-driven wine brands from around the world. Both companies, renowned for their personalized attention to quality wines, look forward to combining their individual capabilities in sales, distribution, and marketing for mutual benefit.

 

“Winebow's sales execution success in all fine wine channels nationally, as well as strong local distribution in key markets, will clearly benefit our portfolio,” said Mr. Click. “The combined enterprise will improve the growth trends of both companies' brands, and provide a strong foundation as we continue to develop and launch successful brands in the future.”

 

LoCascio added, “This transaction is a fantastic alliance of organizations with complimentary skill sets. The executive management, product portfolios, and talented personnel from both organizations will accelerate the long term strategic plans of both companies.”

 

LoCascio will continue as CEO and President of Winebow, Inc. Click will continue as President of Click Wine Group, based in Seattle, and move into the additional role of Executive Vice President of Winebow. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and K&L Gates acted as legal advisors to Winebow and Click Wine Group, respectively.

 

About Click Wine Group

 

Click Wine Group (http://www.clickwinegroup.com) founded in 1987 by Peter Click, is a privately held, Seattle-based company that owns and imports wine from around the world. Their portfolio is made up of two acclaimed collections: the Global Wine Collection and Peter Click Selections. The Global Wine Collection consists of signature varietals from world-class appellations with easy to pronounce names and appealing, consumer friendly packaging aimed at taking the intimidation out of wine. Peter Click Selections is a collection of critically acclaimed wines produced by boutique wineries located in Australia's premium wine regions.

 

About Winebow, Inc.

 

Winebow, Inc. (http://www.winebow.com) founded in 1980 by Leonardo LoCascio, is a major importer and distributor of wines and spirits from around the world. Winebow is a leading importer of premium Italian wines under the Leonardo LoCascio Selections label, the de facto seal of approval for Italian wine enthusiasts. Under the Winebow Brands International (WBI) division, Winebow has a growing import portfolio with 20 producers from Spain, as well as quality wines from Chile and Argentina, Bruichladdich whisky from Islay, Scotland, and Pitu Cachaca from Brazil.

 

Winebow is headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey with additional distribution offices in New York, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; Boston; Massachusetts; and Wallingford, Connecticut.

 

SOURCE Winebow, Inc.; Click Wine Group

 

Alana Signor, ext. 18, or Bridget DiMartino, ext. 17, or Leslee Borger, ext. 11, all of Truth Be Told PR, +1-212-477-8090, all for Winebow, Inc., and Click Wine Group; or Rebecca Rader of Click Wine Group, +1-206-973-1743; or Marilyn Krieger, Ph.D., of Winebow, Inc., m_krieger@winebow.com