Overview
Barack Ferrazzano represented Moët Hennessy USA, an LVMH group company, in its acquisition of American craft distillery, Woodinville Whiskey Company, LLC. Lifelong friends Orlin Sorensen and Brett Carlile founded Woodinville Whiskey in 2010, to create an iconic craft whiskey using time-honored traditions, the highest quality materials and the latest technology. Sorensen and Carlile, who are thrilled to join Moët Hennessy and the LVMH family, will continue to oversee the company's operations.
Woodinville Whiskey is a significant and welcomed addition to the world-renowned wine and spirits portfolio of Moët Hennessy. This strategic partnership will allow for the expansion of Woodinville Whiskey to a larger market while granting Moët Hennessy access to the competitive American rye and bourbon market. The American Distilling Institute awarded Woodinville Whiskey, “Whiskey of the Year” in 2016, and “Best Rye Whiskey” in 2017.
Barack Ferrazzano’s legal team was led by Daniel L. Dominguez and Peter J. Barack, along with Bill Fay and Kaitlyn E. Kelly. Wendi E. Sloane and Scott J. Slavick assisted with intellectual property matters and Michael J. Towne and Alice A. Lin assisted with the tax aspects of the transaction.
To read more about this partnership, click here.
Woodinville Whiskey Company, LLC
Founded in 2010, Woodinville Whiskey Company, LLC, is a craft distillery based out of Woodinville, Washington, with barrel warehouses in Quincy, Washington. Woodinville Whiskey quickly established a name in the world of craft whiskeys, located among over 100 wineries, microbreweries, distilleries and cideries, housing the ideal climatic conditions for the aging process where rye and bourbon whiskies are matured.
Moët Hennessy USA
Founded in 1981, Moët Hennessy USA is an LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE group company. LVMH is a French multinational iconic luxury goods and services conglomerate with 60+ brands. Based in New York, New York, Moët Hennessy USA represents the sales and marketing of LVMH’s internationally renowned wine and spirits portfolio of brands in the United States.