the first wine investment bank

[alacarte]

I didn't even know such a thing as a wine-advisory firm existed. The full article is available here (Wall Street Journal -- probably subscription required).

In a sign that at least some deal makers are betting on a new burst of activity, two wine-advisory firms are merging to form a boutique investment bank dedicated to the grape stuff. Or specifically, it will specialize in the merging of wine companies.

Global Wine Partners LLC, which describes itself as "the wine industry's first global wine-investment bank," plans to take on bigger rivals by touting an expertise in the fragmented business.

Global Wine Partners is a merger between U.S.-based MKF Group LLP and International Wine Consultants Pty Ltd., which has offices in Sydney, Australia, and in Paris.

[fresco]

California alone would keep them busy for a while. Lots of excess capacity and money losing operations to consolidate there.