Kingsland grows with Bottle Green buy-out

Kingsland Drinks has signed a deal to purchase the shares of fellow wine supplier Bottle Green from DCC Food & Beverage UK.

Kingsland managing director Andy Sagar

Founded 20 years ago, Leeds-based Bottle Green is a major supplier to the UK off-trade with a portfolio that includes the French Connection and Blue Nun brands, as well as producers such as Andrew Peace Wines in Australia.

The move marks the latest step in an active 12 months for Kingsland, which recently added a carbonation bottling line to its operations in order to help producers capitalise on the UK’s sparkling wine boom.

Last year saw the Manchester-based firm merge with subsidiary Legacy Wines and expand its bulk wine offer in a deal with Australia’s Limestone Coast Winery.

DCC Food & Beverage managing director Frank Fenn explained that this disposal marked the final stage in a sell-off of subsidiaries from this division of the business. “We look forward to seeing Bottle Green and its employees continue to grow and develop under Kingsland’s ownership,” he commented.

Andy Sagar, managing director of Kingsland Drinks, outlined the benefits of this acquisition for the business, saying: “As we continue on our journey to become the destination drinks company, we are extremely proud to bring Bottle Green into the Kingsland family. We are pleased to be able to take on board some great people and producers, helping us increase our presence and offer in all the markets we service.”

Looking ahead, he remarked: “The two strong businesses can continue to operate independently however the management teams will explore how best to collaborate and identify integration synergies across all areas.”