Armit Wines acquired by InVivo Group

UK fine wine merchant Armit has been acquired by the French agricultural cooperative InVivo Group.

The merchant was scooped up as part of InVivo’s wholesale buyout of Armit’s owner, the Dutch-based Baarsma Wine Group, in early July.

In a statement to the drinks business the merchant explained: “InVivo Group bought a 100% share in Baarsma Wine Group from private equity firm AAC Capital Partners in July. With the acquisition of Baarsma Wine Group, InVivo Group intends to significantly grow its international wine activities.

“Baarsma Wine Group will continue to operate autonomously and under its own name as part of Invivo Wine, InVivo Group’s pre-existing wine division. Baarsma Wine Group’s directors have joined the group management board of InVivo Wine.

“We at Armit Wines expect no changes to our daily business and we will operate autonomously as suggested above. We are just fortunate to now be part of a large business which turns over €6.5 billion.”

InVivo’s other wine assets include: the Bordeaux négociant houses Cordier and Mestrezat and one of France’s leading co-operatives, Vinadeis, which operates 17,000 hectares of vines across 12 sites in the Languedoc, Roussillon, Aquitaine and the Rhône.