Accolade Wines to buy NZ's Mud House and Waipara Hills

Accolade Wines has announced it will buy New Zealand brands Mud House and Waipara Hills from the Mud House Wine Group.

Accolade said the brands cover the major styles of Waipara Valley, Malborough and Central Otago and offer the group ”the opportunity to grow in significant markets such as Europe, North America and Asia”.

The value of the deal had not been disclosed at time of publishing, and its completion is subject to the New Zealand's Overseas Investment Office’s approval, which is expected to take at least three months.

The deal also inlcudes the Waipara Hills cellar and café.

Michael East, Accolade Wines’ general manager for Australia and New Zealand, said: “The suite of brands, which also includes Dusky Sounds, Haymaker and Skyleaf, covers outstanding wines from key regions: Marlborough for Sauvignon Blanc, Central Otago for Pinot Noir and aromatics from the Waipara Valley including Riesling and Pinot Gris.”

Paul Schaafsma, general manager, Accoalde Wines UK & Ireland, said: “The Mud House acquisition significantly strengthens our new Zealand portfolio in the UK and Irish markets, it will give us even stronger leverage and greater flexibility to meet the needs of the buyers in the retail and on-trade sectors, and will round-off our portfolio from the New World.”

Bob Major, Mud House Wine Group chairman, said: "Accolade’s extensive international sales networks, as well as its experience marketing New World wines, would enable Mud House to grow production and sales much faster and more cost efficiently than we do currently.”