Pernod Ricard takes minority stake in U.S. based Sovereign Brands, innovative creators of Luc Belaire, Bumbu and other brands

Press Release 01/09/2021

Pernod Ricard is delighted to announce the signing of a minority stake investment in Sovereign Brands and its portfolio of fast-growing super premium wine and spirits brands. Sovereign Brands is a family company founded by brothers Brett and Brian Berish, who are among the industry’s most innovative and creative builders of beverage brands, with a proven history of brand creation. 

Since 2000, Sovereign Brands has built a unique portfolio of forward-thinking brands in their respective categories across the world and especially in the world’s leading market, the USA. Sovereign’s most emblematic successes include Luc Belaire, a French sparkling wine, and Bumbu, a range of rum products from the Caribbean. Brazilian gin McQueen and the Violet Fog and Villon, an exquisite French liqueur, are also part of Sovereign’s diverse portfolio.

The two groups will continue to operate independently as the agreement does not provide for changes in Sovereign’s day-to-day operations, management, or distributor network. This investment is a first step of a long term partnership aimed at creating business opportunities between Sovereign Brands and Pernod Ricard in the future, such as exploring potential common industrial and commercial projects.

“Sovereign Brands has demonstrated exceptional innovation and marketing skills. We are thrilled to partner with Brett and Brian Berish, two of the most innovative entrepreneurs of our industry” says Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard.

Brett Berish, CEO of Sovereign Brands, stated : “Pernod Ricard is at the forefront of our industry for a reason: they are simply the best.  We’re beyond excited to work with Alexandre Ricard and his talented team.”

A row of nine bottles of Sovereign products


About Sovereign Brands
Sovereign Brands is a family-owned, international wine & spirits company headquartered in the USA. The company is owned and operated by brothers Brett and Brian Berish. Sovereign has a portfolio of successful brands including Luc Belaire, a smash-hit line of French sparkling wines, which has earned global acclaim for its exquisite taste and striking packages, and is available in more than 80 countries around the world. The company’s portfolio also includes McQueen and the Violet Fog, an extraordinary gin from Jundiaí, Brazil, and Bumbu, a critically-acclaimed line of rum products.  Sovereign’s newest release is Villon, an exquisite French liqueur.  The company is planning to launch new brands and extensions to its portfolio in 2022 and beyond.

Sovereign Brands Contact:
Sophie Lawrence, Marketing & Communications Director   +1 212 343 8366  

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About pernod ricard

Pernod Ricard is a worldwide leader in the spirits and wine industry, blending traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art brand development, and global distribution technologies. Our prestigious portfolio of premium to luxury brands includes 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, Malibu liqueur and Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes. Our mission is to ensure the long-term growth of our brands with full respect for people and the environment, while empowering our employees around the world to be ambassadors of our purposeful, inclusive and responsible culture of authentic conviviality. Pernod Ricard’s consolidated sales amounted to € 12,137 million in fiscal year FY23. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code:FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices

Contacts Pernod Ricard

Florence Tresarrieu
Global SVP Investors Relations and Treasury
Tel: +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 03
Charly Montet
Investor Relations Manager
Tel: +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 13
Emmanuel Vouin
Head of External Engagement
Tel: +33 (0) 1 70 93 16 34