Berry Bros. & Rudd Leads Takeover of Hambledon: A Lifeline for England’s Oldest Vineyard
UK’s venerable wine merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd, in alliance with Portugal’s Symington Group, has launched a £22.3 million takeover bid for Hambledon Vineyard, England’s first commercial winery, established in 1952. Faced with ongoing financial woes, Hambledon views this acquisition as a lifeline and a strategic pivot for all involved parties.
Lizzy Rudd, chairwoman of Berry Bros. & Rudd, and Rupert Symington, CEO of Symington Family Estates, stated, “This offer is a win-win for shareholders, providing a secure return on investment amid a volatile future for the vineyard.”
Strategizing for the inevitable climate change impacts, the consortium sees this acquisition as a prescient move to diversify and strengthen their core business models. Despite the burgeoning reputation of English wines, sales have faltered, sliding from 9.3 million bottles in 2021 to 8 million in 2022, according to WineGB.
