Constellation acquires Mark West for $160m

Constellation Brands has completed the acquisition of the Mark West wine brand from Purple Wine Company for approximately US$160 million.

The transaction includes the Mark West trademark, certain grape supply contracts and inventories of wines from California appellations: a California pinot noir, a Russian River reserve pinot noir and a Santa Lucia reserve pinot noir, along with a chardonnay. Constellation Brands announced its intent to purchase the brand last month.

Mark West pinot noir, with a 35 percent volume growth rate in the last 12 weeks according to SymphonyIRI, is said to be the “nation's best-selling pinot noir and a leader in wine priced $10-$12 at retail”.

Mark West is an almost 600,000-case brand sold primarily in the US.

Rob Sands, chief executive officer, Constellation Brands said: "Mark West is one of the fastest-growing major pinot noirs in the market and has exceeded the growth of the category.

“The brand is an exciting addition and fills a gap in our portfolio of pinot noir brands."