LONDON, 2 November 2015: Metric Capital Partners (“Metric”), the European private capital group, has announced today its investment in The Haciendas Company (“THC”), a leading producer and distributor of premium Spanish wines and fine foods.
THC (www.the-haciendas.com) produces and markets premium wines from Spain’s finest wine regions, including La Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Arribes del Duero. The company owns some of the most prominent historic wineries in Rioja Alta – Marqués de la Concordia (1812), Rioja Santiago (1870, second oldest in the region), Paternina (1896) and Lagunilla (1885) – and a collection of wine estates at prime locations of the Duero Valley, all part of the Marqués de la Concordia Family of Wines umbrella-brand. THC’s wines have won 136 international awards since 2004.
In addition, THC owns and operates Spain’s first luxury wine-hotel. Opened in 2004, the Hacienda Zorita Wine Hotel & Spa is housed in a historic monastery and estate founded in 1366 near Salamanca. Located less than 2 hours from Madrid, the hotel is a member of “Small Luxury Hotels of the World”.
The company also markets fine foods, predominantly award-winning premium cheeses, produced on its 300 hectares organic farm.
As part of the transaction, THC acquired a 50% stake in the family-owned super-premium Spanish wine and olive oil producer Marqués de Griñón Family Estates, owner of the world-famous wine estate Dominio de Valdepusa (1212) in Toledo.
As part of its further growth initiatives, THC’s is planning the launch of a “Premium Rum” project in partnership with an established Caribbean producer.
Commenting on the transaction, Giovanni Miele, Partner of Metric, said: “We are delighted by our investment in THC. The Company benefits from a prominent market position, a strong portfolio of brands in the high-growth premium space and is well positioned to continue expanding both organically and through acquisitions in Spain and abroad.”
Victor Redondo Sierra, newly appointed Chairman of THC, added: “I am incredibly excited to be investing alongside and partnering with Metric for the next growth phase of THC. The growing global appeal of Spanish fine wines and foods will provide us with a unique opportunity to continue expanding our company. Also, the support of a proven financial partner like Metric gives us plenty of confidence on our ability to make new acquisitions in the premium wine, spirits and food industries, furthering our buy & build strategy to enhance value for all stakeholders in the business.”
John Sinik, Managing Partner of Metric, further commented: “Metric’s investment in THC is our second in Spain since 2014 as we continue to look at the Iberian region with great interest. The transaction is a further testament to our ability to create differentiated capital solutions to address the complexities and optimize value-creation for mid-market transactions.”
Following the transaction, Giovanni Miele and Bjorn Tessiore of Metric will join the Board of Directors of THC. Altium Capital and Cuatrecasas advised THC on the transaction while Metric was advised by Duane Morris and Garrigues.
Metric Capital Partners is an independent private capital group that invests in European small and medium-sized firms by providing debt and equity solutions to support the execution of strategic transactions including MBOs, MBIs, growth/development capital and refinancing.
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For further information please contact Giovanni Miele on +44 (0)20 3540 1555.