Yealands probes capital raising, possible IPO

Yealands Family Wines owner Peter Yealands. Photo Jason Oxenham

Yealands Wine Group is looking to fast track their expansion into international markets, with the company investigating capital raising options.

Yealands founder and chief executive Peter Yealands said the company was looking to take advantage of significant potential in international markets, with the capital raised used to increase the vineyard and wineries productivity to match supply.

"We see significant opportunities for New Zealand wine internationally and for YWG and we want to take advantage of these growth options," Yealands said in a statement. "To do this we need to increase our vineyard holdings and grow our grape supply. That is going to require fresh capital."

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The company has hired investment bank UBS to decide on capital raising options, including an initial public offering. Yealands said the company was considering all of its options.

"The strategic review will help us identify the capital requirements and optimal expansion approach, which could take the form of an IPO or other growth options," Yealands said.

Group chairman John Shewan added that the timing was right for the company to consider expansion options.

"The strong global demand for our wines in conjunction with the recognition we have received through our international accolades, makes this an ideal time to consider growth options," Shewan said.

Yealands is the sixth largest wine exporter in New Zealand and was founded in 2011 after the merger of Yealands Estate Wines and Ager Sectus Wine Estate.