Pernod Ricard: Completion of the Sale of Lindauer™ Together with the Related Inventories and Assets

Regulatory News:

Press release: Paris, 22 December 2010

Following clearance from the New Zealand Overseas Investment Office and consistent with our previous press release of 18th October 2010, Pernod Ricard (Paris:RI) announces the completion of the sale, by its affiliate Pernod Ricard New Zealand, of Lindauer™ and several other New Zealand wine brands from Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay together with their related inventories and assets.
The consortium of buyers is made up of Lion Nathan New Zealand and Indevin.

The transaction was completed on 22nd December, 2010 for a total price of NZD 89 million (circ. EUR 50 million) paid in cash.

About Lion Nathan New Zealand

Lion Nathan New Zealand is a business unit of Lion Nathan National Foods, Australasia’s largest food and beverage company. Its success is built on the foundations of great people and great brands. In New Zealand, Lion Nathan employs more than 1000 people and boast a portfolio of some of New Zealand’s most adored brands in beer, wine, spirits and RTD’s including Steinlager, Speight’s, Wither Hills, Daniel Le Brun, Smirnoff, Coruba, William Grants & Sons, Jose Cuervo, Bacardi and 42 Below.

About Indevin

Indevin are New Zealand’s largest independent contracting winemakers and provide tailored wine making services to clients of all sizes. Indevin operate two “one stop” wineries in Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay with a capacity of 30,000 tonnes per annum. They also have an experienced team of fully qualified winemakers, cellar and laboratory staff who work with clients to produce a multitude of award winning New Zealand wines.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of € 7,081 million in 2009/10. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate (formerly Montana), Campo Viejo and Graffigna wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of about 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 70 “Distribution Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a sense of ethics.
Pernod Ricard is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index.
Please visit our website for more information: www.pernod-ricard.com