More on the Potential Sale of Binyamina Winery

[Daniel Rogov]

Forum member Avi Hein has posted in some depth about the possible sale of Binyamina Winery on his blog (HaKerem). See his article at http://www.israeli-wine.org/2008/08/27/ ... na-winery/

Best
Rogov

[Avi Hein]

Thanks for the link Rogov.

A quick note for our Hebrew speaking members (as far as I could tell, I couldn't find anything in English on the negotiations, which is why I wrote the above post) - here are two articles in the Israeli press.

From Globes (this is primarily where I relied on the post above) - http://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1000374809&fid=821
From Yediot - http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3586785,00.html

[Daniel Rogov]

As announced today in Globes newspaper and the announcement seems to be official - BInyamina Wineries has been purchased by the owners of discount supermarket chain "Chetzi Chinam" ("Half Free").

Binyamina, the fourth largest winery in the country has been under the leadership of CEO Illan Hassan who has raised the winery from its very low point as Eliaz wineries, to a quite respectable place indeed, producing at least several serious of wines that are to be taken seriously. With two winemakers aboard, including senior winemaker Sasson Ben-Aharon and winemaker Assaf Paz, the winery currently produces about 2.4 million bottles annually from a large variety of grapes, those from vineyards in nearly every part of the country. To the win-ery’s credit, they were the first in the country to introduce Viognier and Tempranillo varietals. The winery releases several series: Avnei Hachoshen, Reserve (until 2006 known as Special Reserve), Yogev and Tiltan. The basic series, Binyamina, is now marketed under a new label, Teva.

As to the future......first indications are positive that the shift in ownership will be good for BInyamina in particular and for the industry in general. Now, of course, we will have to wait and see.

Best
Rogov

[Z Spigelman]

Daniel,
I hope that you are correct concerning the future.
According to today's edition of the Calcalist business newspaper in Hebrew, sources in the market estimate that the purpose of this deal is the use of the winery's property in the attractive region near Gan HaNadiv in Zichron Yaakov.
Zvi

[Daniel Rogov]

Zvi, Hi.....

Since the winery first switched from Eliaz to Binyamina, many have been speculating that the winery would be closed in order to use the land for rhe construction of an exclusive residential area. Perhaps that time has come but I would speculate that if this is the case the winery itself would move to a new location witha new more state-of-the-art winery. Of course all of my speculations are nothing more than speculations and may come to nought.

As often I have said, I am far from being knowledgeable about the world of business, but it seems somewhat foolish to close down a winery that is now the 4th largest in the country, seems to have been showing a profit, and whose wines are rising in quality on an annual basis. Again though, perhaps I am talking with mouth wide open and shoe firmly inserted.

Best
Rogov