Buy or Sell a Winery
With specialized experience in the wine industry, we understand the complexities and careful coordination required to ensure smooth transactions in buying and selling a winery. We advise buyers and sellers throughout the timeline of a winery transaction, including asset or share purchase agreements, vineyard and land issues, brand assets, and regulatory approvals from the AGCO and other authorities.
Some of our services include:
- Advising on transaction structure, including asset versus share purchases and related tax and liability considerations (in coordination with tax advisors).
- Conducting legal due diligence specific to winery operations, including licensing status, regulatory compliance, contracts, and land use.
- Drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, ancillary documents, and closing deliverables.
- Advising on the transfer, amendment, or reissuance of AGCO manufacturer’s licences and on-site retail authorizations.
- Coordinating regulatory approvals and notifications involving the AGCO, and other applicable authorities.
- Reviewing vineyard land ownership, leases, zoning, agricultural protections, and conservation authority issues.
- Advising on grape supply agreements, grower contracts, custom crush arrangements, and production agreements.
- Reviewing and transferring intellectual property, including wine brands, trademarks, domain names, and appellation-related rights.
- Advising on inventory treatment, excise duties, mark-ups, and regulatory reporting at closing.
- Assisting with post-closing integration issues, including regulatory compliance, distribution arrangements, and operational transitions.