DGB acquires majority shareholding in Backsberg

DGB, one of South Africa’s largest independent wine and spirit producers, has acquired a majority shareholding in carbon neutral Cape winery Backsberg, forming Backsberg Family Wines. 

Backsberg has remained in the hands of the Back family for over a century, and has been hailed as South Africa’s first carbon neutral winery as well as a WWF conservation champion.

The formation of Backsberg Family Wines follows the sale of the estate’s main Simondium farm late last year.

Cellar equipment from the estate will be relocated to Franschhoek, where the portfolio will now be produced.

The acquisition also includes Backsberg’s Sydney Back Brandy and Tread Lightly brands, as well as the kosher wines under the ‘Unorthodox’ trademark.

DGB is set to build a new artisanal distillery named The Old Road Distillery Co., incorporating the Backsberg estate’s alembic brandy pot. The new winery will be housed in a property adjacent to the Franschhoek Cellars Winery.

According to DGB’s executive chairman, Tim Hutchinson, the acquisition will complement the company’s current portfolio of premium brands, which include Boschendal, Bellingham, Douglas Green, Franschhoek Cellars, Brampton, and Fryer’s Cove.

He said of the acquisition: “Backsberg shaped much of the local wine industry, and this was largely through the late Sydney Back, both in terms of commitment to wine quality as well as visionary contributions to the local regulatory wine framework, such as laws allowing estate wine production.

“DGB aims to ensure the name Backsberg continues to be a respected player in the South African wine industry. We have skilled viticulturists who manage our own and contracted vineyards, so they have access to a range of grapes expressing a diversity of varietals and terroir.”

Simon Back will remain a director of Backsberg Family Wines, with his father set to retire after 45 years in the wine industry. Read more about recent wine acquisitions here.