Press Releases
Billington Imports Announces Acquisition of Havens Wine Cellars in the Napa Valley
Napa | CA
NAPA, Calif., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Billington Imports of Springfield, VA today announced the acquisition of the Havens Wine Cellars brand. Havens was established in 1984 by Michael Havens and quickly set itself apart as a pioneer of Carneros wines, most notably Merlot. The Havens wines have been particularly well received by the press as well as by many top restaurants and fine retailers. Michael Havens will be joining the company to continue his role as winegrower for Havens Wine Cellars, as well as collaborating in other ventures that Billington either has an interest in or imports into the United States.. The purchase price was not disclosed. The sale of Havens to Billington includes the brand name and inventories.
"After 23 years making wine in the Napa Valley, I look forward to again focusing on the vineyard and cellar, and relying on Billington's proven sales team," said Havens.
With this acquisition, Billington has created a new division called Billington Wine Studio to coordinate the production and/or marketing of wines where Billington or the Bartholomaus Family has directly invested. The Havens brand will join the existing portfolio which includes several brands from California; Lily and Screaming Jack, as well as the brands acquired from Sin E Wine Company in April of this year: Solex, Magnet, Megawatt and Ben Madigan. Billington Wine Studio will also market the joint ventures of Big Tattoo from Chile/Germany, Blind River from New Zealand, and the Chasseur wines from Hunter Wine Cellars (Sebastopol, CA).
Billington Imports, founded in 1985 by Alfredo Bartholomaus, pioneered the importation of premium wines from Chile and Argentina in the late 80's and 90's. Alfredo's son, Alex, was given control of the company in late 1997, and decided to diversify the Import portfolio into other areas such as Spain in 1998, and Germany & Alsace in 2000. In 2002, Billington began to make direct
investments in joint ventures like Blind River in New Zealand, Big Tattoo in Chile and the Bartholomaus Family invested in Hunter Wine Cellars in California. "Over the last decade we have diversified our portfolio beyond South America," said Alex. "The acquisition of Havens Wine Cellars and Sin E Wine Company gives us a solid foothold in California wine production, which
complements our existing relationship with Hunter Wine Cellars (Chasseur). All of these brands give us greater penetration into the on-premise segment of the business which brings greater opportunity to our existing suppliers and distributors."
Robert Nicholson of International Wine Associates, Healdsburg, California initiated this transaction and served as exclusive strategic and financial advisor to Havens Wine Cellars.
CONTACT: Michael Havens (Winemaker)
707-261-2000 or
Walt Averill (VP, Billington Wine Studio)
707-838-6984.
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