Western Wines

Bridgepoint Capital has acquired an 18 per cent stake in UK-based importer and supplier of private label wine Western Wines for GBP53 million. Barclays Capital is mooted to have provided debt finance to support the buyout, although it is not yet clear whether the debt will be syndicated The investment will assist in the strategic development

of the business and allows chairman Roger Gabb to realise an element of his own stake in the firm.

This is Bridgepoint Capital’s second investment in the wine sector, following its EURO102 million buyout of Arco Bodegas in 1999.