Diageo will put £320m in the bank after selling its major wine interests in an agreement with Treasury Wine Estates relating to the US based Chateau and Estate Wines and the UK based Percy Fox businesses. However the proceeds will be used to repay borrowings. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to complete around the end of the calendar year.
Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive of Diageo (pictured), said, “Diageo’s strategy is to drive stronger, sustained performance through focus on our core portfolio and this announcement is another element of that strategy in action. Wine is no longer core to Diageo and this sale gives us greater focus.
“With the completion of this transaction Diageo will have released £1 bn from the sale of non-core assets since the start of the financial year. This proactive portfolio approach has focused the business, enhanced our financial strength, improved our returns and strengthened the business, positioning us even more firmly to deliver our performance ambition.”
Following completion of this transaction Diageo’s wine interests are limited to Justerini & Brooks Wine Merchants, the Argentinian wine business of Navarro Correas, the wine brands of Mey Icki and USL, the Chalone brand and assets and the Acacia winery and vineyard.