Founded in 1976 in St. Helena, California, Duckhorn is a prominent North American wine producer, offering well-known brands like Duckhorn Vineyards, Decoy, and Sonoma-Cutrer. Its wines are sold in over 50 countries across five continents, solidifying its position as a leading luxury wine maker.
Butterfly Equity’s Investment in Duckhorn
Butterfly Equity, which focuses on the “seed-to-fork” food system in North America, has a portfolio that includes brands such as Chosen Foods, Qdoba, and Bolthouse Fresh Foods. Adam Waglay, co-founder and co-CEO of Butterfly, said, “We are honored to partner with Duckhorn and welcome the company to the Butterfly family. This is an incredible opportunity to help amplify and accelerate their mission.”
Once the deal is complete, Duckhorn will maintain its headquarters in St. Helena and continue to operate its 11 winery brands under the Duckhorn name. The agreement also includes a 45-day go-shop period, allowing Duckhorn to entertain alternative buyout proposals until Nov. 20.
Regulatory Approvals and Shareholder Support
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and approval by Duckhorn’s shareholders. According to the statement, Duckhorn shareholders representing a majority of the company’s voting power have already agreed to vote in favor of the deal.
