Duckhorn to Go Private in $1.95B Deal, Acquired by Butterfly Equity

Author: Benzinga Newsdesk | October 07, 2024 06:03am

The Duckhorn Portfolio (NYSE:NAPA) ("Duckhorn" or the "Company"), North America's premier luxury wine company, and Butterfly Equity ("Butterfly"), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm specializing in the food and beverage sector, today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement (the "Agreement") pursuant to which Duckhorn will be acquired by private equity funds managed by Butterfly in an all-cash transaction that values the Company at approximately $1.95 billion.

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Under the terms of the Agreement, Duckhorn stockholders will receive $11.10 per share in cash, representing a premium of approximately 65.3% to the volume weighted average share price of Duckhorn's common stock over the 90-day trading period ending on October 4, 2024. Following the completion of the transaction, Duckhorn will become a privately held company.

Duckhorn was established in 1976 and is a leading pure-play luxury wine producer in the United States with a curated portfolio of premium brands, including Duckhorn Vineyards, Decoy, Sonoma-Cutrer and Kosta Browne. Duckhorn wines are available to luxury consumers on five continents and in over 50 countries. Following the completion of the transaction, the Company will continue to be headquartered in St. Helena, California and will operate eleven winery brands under The Duckhorn Portfolio name.

"This announcement is excellent news for the future of our Company and for stockholders of The Duckhorn Portfolio, who will receive a substantial premium," said Deirdre Mahlan, Duckhorn President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson. "Based on our long history of success and innovation, and our position as one of America's most successful luxury wine companies, Butterfly believes strongly in The Duckhorn Portfolio and is fully invested in helping us achieve our next phase of growth. Just as important, Butterfly brings a proven track record of strengthening its portfolio companies while helping them advance their long-term strategic objectives. Through our partnership with Butterfly, we expect The Duckhorn Portfolio will have enhanced resources to build on our strong foundation and to further scale our operations. We are excited to work with the Butterfly team to begin writing an exciting new chapter in the story of The Duckhorn Portfolio."

Founded in 2016, Butterfly is a leading private equity firm dedicated to investing in the "seed-to-fork" food ecosystem in North America with a diverse portfolio including Milk Specialties Global, Chosen Foods, MaryRuth Organics, Orgain, Bolthouse Fresh Foods and QDOBA, among others. Through its deep sector experience, a disciplined and data-driven investment process, and an operations-driven approach to value creation, Butterfly seeks to partner with category-leading food and beverage businesses and deliver consistent investment returns for its investors.

"We are honored to partner with Duckhorn and welcome the Company to the Butterfly family," said Adam Waglay, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Butterfly. "This is an incredible opportunity, and we look forward to bringing our specialized expertise and deep food and beverage network to bear to help amplify and accelerate the Company's mission to have their wine poured wherever fine wines are served throughout North America and the world."

"As a leading pure-play luxury wine producer, Duckhorn has, in our view, the best portfolio and strongest fundamentals in the industry," said Vishal Patel, Partner, Butterfly. "We believe the Company's curated suite of luxury wine brands, structurally advantaged business model, and world-class team have laid the foundation for a powerful, scalable platform, which will continue to drive growth both organically and through strategic acquisitions."

Transaction Details

The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the Duckhorn Board of Directors, is expected to close this winter, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Duckhorn stockholders and the receipt of required regulatory approvals. The completion of the transaction is not subject to a financing condition.

The Agreement includes a customary 45-day "go-shop" period expiring at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) on November 20, 2024. During this period, Duckhorn and its advisors will be permitted to solicit, consider and negotiate alternative acquisition proposals from third parties. The Duckhorn Board of Directors will have the right to terminate the Agreement and enter into a superior proposal, subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement. There can be no assurance that this "go-shop" process will or will not result in a superior proposal, and Duckhorn does not intend to disclose related developments unless and until it determines that such disclosure is appropriate or otherwise required.

Stockholders currently representing a majority of the current outstanding voting power of the Duckhorn common stock have entered into voting agreements pursuant to which they have agreed, among other things, to vote certain of their shares of Company stock in favor of the transaction, subject to certain conditions. The voting support under the voting agreement ceases automatically if the merger agreement is terminated or if the Duckhorn Board of Directors makes an adverse recommendation change.

Upon completion of the transaction, Duckhorn's common stock will cease to trade and no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Posted In: NAPA