Carlton & United Breweries has acquired Adelaide-based Riot Wine Co, which sells wine exclusively in kegs and cans. CUB Sales VP – Australia and NZ Rose Scott said it was about meeting the evolving needs of Australian drinkers.
“Riot Wine Co is a truly innovative company and CUB shares its commitment to quality and sustainability. Its rapid expansion in just three years shows venues and retailers agree that it can deliver great things for consumers.
CUB plans to accelerate Riot Wine’s expansion through its large on-tap network, Scott said.
Riot Wine Co is the only company in Australia that sells wine exclusively in kegs and cans, with its range of quality wines – led by its flagship rosé – helping it to become the leader in the field.
Riot started producing wine in stainless-steel kegs in 2016 and then moved to cans in March 2017. Co winemaker and co-founder Tommy O’Donnell said the use of kegs and cans means the wine is not negatively affected by light or oxygen, reducing the need for preservatives and limiting wastage.
“The cans are sealed in an anaerobic environment, where no UV sees the wine until it is poured into a glass. This means the wine stays at maximum freshness and only a third of the amount of sulphur dioxide is used, compared to a bottled wine.” he said. (Food & Drink Business, 1 March 2019)
O’Donnell said: “We are incredibly excited to be joining Carlton & United Breweries. Their investment, expertise and customer relationships will help us continue our rapid expansion.”
Riot co-founder and general manager Joe Cook said: “We launched Riot Wine Co to start a wine revolution in Australia by getting venues and consumers to switch from bottles to steel kegs and aluminium cans. Wine drank this way is fresher and easier plus it’s more sustainable because one keg saves roughly 23,000 bottles from entering the environment. Our kegs prevent wine oxidising and our wine has a fun and fresh taste profile, with less sulphur making it cleaner than traditional wine.”
Scott said there were no plans to change the company’s team, with management staying on to “ensure the elements that have helped drive the business’ success – a focus on quality wine from grape to glass, disruption and innovation, and the quality of its people and outstanding customer relationships – remain in place.”
The investment will also see Riot’s urban cellar door upgraded in Brompton, Adelaide.
