Andrew Peller Set to End Family Control in C$579 Million Sale to Fairfax Financial

By Adriano Marchese

Andrew Peller has agreed to be acquired by Fairfax Financial Holdings in a deal with an enterprise value of 579 million Canadian dollars ($413.9 million), handing the Canadian wine maker to a new owner after decades of family control.

Fairfax Financial, a Canadian insurance and investment company, will acquire all of the Canadian wine producer's shares at a price of C$8.00 per class A share and C$12.00 per class B share, representing a premium of 41% and 70%, respectively, to the closing price on Friday.

In total, the transaction represents an aggregate fully diluted equity value of C$397 million.

The company was founded by Andrew Peller, who began growing grapes in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia after immigrating to Canada in 1927. It has remained under family leadership for three generations and now makes wines as well as ciders and spirits under brands such as Peller Estates, Trius, Wayne Gretzky Estates, Sandhill and Copper Moon. The company also operates wineries and hospitality venues in Ontario, British Columbia and Nova Scotia.

As part of the transaction, a group led by John Peller is rolling its shares into the buyer rather than selling them. The group is exchanging its class A and B shares, worth about 15% and 25%, respectively, for shares of Fairfax or one of its affiliates.

The deal still requires a two-thirds majority approval by Andrew Peller's shareholders and has a C$12 million termination fee payable by other side if either party chooses not to go through with the acquisition.

The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.

Write to Adriano Marchese at adriano.marchese@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 15, 2026 08:08 ET (12:08 GMT)