Amid no word at all from Constellation or GI Partners, Duckhorn exec says not for sale. Sources hold firm.

Wine Industry Insight’s article: Constellation In Talks To Buy Duckhorn from GI Partners has gotten plenty of comments, but none from the present owners of the wine consortium (GI Partners) and the presumptive buyer (Constellation Brands).

 

Well before the article ran, Wine Industry Insight sought comment and emailed a draft of the original article to both GI Partners and Constellation Brands Investor Relations . We also followed up yesterday afternoon after the article ran.

 

We still have had no comment from them.

 

Meanwhile, Alex Ryan insists GI Partners is not selling his company to Constellation.

 

The following, was received from Duckhorn Wine Company’s PR firm:

 

‘The story that appeared today on Wine Industry Insight stating that Constellation is buying Duckhorn Wine Company is not true. Since our company was acquired by GI Partners, there have been rumors that we are for sale. With GI Partners’ recent acquisition of Far Niente/Nickel & Nickel, these rumors have intensified, but I assure you that this story is not true.”

 

Wine Industry Insight has multiple sources on which the article was based — including one from Constellation. All insist their information is solid.

 

“It is not a done deal yet,” said one source when WII contacted them late yesterday after sending them Ryan’s statement. “There is no guarantee that Gallo or another big player won’t swoop in and grab it.”