Powered by
MOMENTUM
MEDIA
Thomson Geer has advised on the proposed amalgamation of Winemakers' Federation of Australia and Australian Vignerons.
Firm: Thomson Geer (Winemakers’ Federation of Australia Incorporated and Wine Grape Growers Australia Incorporated, which trades as Australian Vignerons)
Value: Undisclosed
Area: M&A
Key players: The Thomson Geer legal team was led by partner Loretta Reynolds, with assistance from special counsel Annabel West and lawyer Isobel Maddern.
Deal significance: WFA and AV are described as national peak industry bodies for Australia’s winemakers and wine grape growers, respectively.
According to a statement from Thomson Geer, this transaction was able to happen following members of both WFA and AV voting in favour of the proposed amalgamation at their AGMs.
The amalgamation is expected to take effect on 1 February 2019.
“We are delighted to have assisted both WFA and AV to reach this historic agreement to unite the winemaker and grape grower representative bodies to form a single united body, which will provide a stronger national voice for the wine sector,” said Thomson Geer’s Annabel West, commenting on the deal.
“We look forward to continuing to work with both parties to complete the amalgamation in the new year.”
Also commenting on the deal, AV CEO Anna Hooper said: “Bringing wine grape growers and winemakers into one national advocacy body is a win for everyone. Grape-growing in Australia has a long history and a prosperous grape-growing industry and good viticulture underpins our entire wine industry.”
