Silence on Corbans

By DITA DE BONI

Speculation over the buyer of DB Group's Corbans wine division is focusing on one prime candidate - Australian vintner and brewing giant Foster's.

Sources close to Foster's have told the Weekend Herald that DB has struck, or is close to striking, a deal.

However, the Australian company's attention might be diverted by its efforts to obtain a 52 per cent share in California's Beringer Wine Estates, worth about $A600 million. Foster's refused to comment, and DB Group referred inquiries to Australia-based brokers Salomon Smith Barney, who did not return calls.

Foster's, BRL Hardy and Southcorp have been considered to be the most likely buyers of the West Auckland-based winery.

Another company understood to be interested is Pernod Ricard, the French-based wine and spirit concern that owns Australia's Orlando Wyndham, producer of Jacob's Creek.