C&C Buys Hornsby's Hard Cider From E. & J. Gallo Winery

MODESTO, Calif., Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- C&C announced today that it has purchased the iconic Hornsby's Hard Cider brand from E. & J. Gallo Winery.  Included in the sale were trademarks, inventory, formulas and global rights to the Hornsby's Hard Cider brand.

"We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Hornsby's which represents a significant step towards the development of our international cider-led strategy," said Stephen Glancey, C&C's chief executive officer.  He added, "The transaction doubles our volume in a rapidly growing market, broadens the scope of our cider portfolio and presents significant opportunity to develop the Hornsby's brand throughout North America."

C&C is one of the leading cider companies in Europe, manufacturing the premium international cider brand, Magners.  Complementing C&C's strong presence in the U.K. and Ireland markets, Hornsby's Hard Cider provides C&C with the second largest cider brand in the U.S. market.  Hornsby's Hard Cider was launched in 1994 with the introduction of its Amber Draft.  

"While hard cider is becoming more popular in the U.S., our company is increasingly focused on wine and spirits which is why we made the decision to sell," said Peter Abate, Vice President and General Manager of the Value and Spirits business units of E. & J. Gallo Winery.  He added, "Hornsby's is a good strategic fit for C&C as the U.S. hard cider market appears primed for expansion."

Following the sale, both companies will work together for the next year on the transition over to C&C which includes Gallo assisting with the product processing and distribution.  No Gallo employees will be impacted by the sale.

About C&C:

C&C Group plc is a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded beverages in Ireland and the UK. C&C manufactures Bulmers, the leading Irish cider brand, Magners, the premium international cider brand, the Gaymer Cider Company range of branded and private label ciders, and the Tennent's beer brand. The Group also distributes a number of beer brands in the Scottish, Irish and Northern Irish markets, primarily for Anheuser-Busch InBev. Visit www.candcgroupplc.ie

About E. & J. Gallo Winery:

Established in 1933 in Modesto, California, by Ernest and Julio Gallo, E. & J. Gallo Winery has become the world's largest winery in the world and the foremost winery in the art of grape growing, winemaking, distribution and marketing of wines. With seven wineries strategically located in California's wine regions and access to grapes from vineyards in all of the premier grape-growing areas of the state, Gallo produces wines in every category, to suit every taste.  Gallo imports wines from eight of the major wine growing countries in the world.  Some of the brands in Gallo's wine portfolio include Gallo Family Vineyards, Barefoot Cellars, Louis M. Martini, MacMurray Ranch, Bridlewood, Mirassou Vineyards, Frei Brothers, DaVinci, Martin Codax, Don Miguel Gascon, Ecco Domani, McWilliam's Hanwood Estate, Edna Valley Vineyard and William Hill Estate.  Recently, the Winery has expanded its portfolio to include distilled spirits with the introduction of New Amsterdam Gin and Familia Camarena Tequila.

SOURCE E. & J. Gallo Winery