PRESS RELEASE - MARCH 2009
Richmond Park Capital takes equity stake in Lunzer Wine Investments
Merchant bank buys in and provides origination and fund management support
London based merchant bank Richmond Park Capital LLP (“RPC”), in connection with an affiliated
investment fund, has purchased a 29% stake in fine wine investment manager Lunzer Wine Investments
(“Lunzer”). Lunzer will receive cash and support in a range of areas in return for the stake, while also
gaining access to Richmond Park Capital’s extensive network of advisors, intermediaries and investors.
As part of the deal, Richmond Park Capital will gain two Board seats to be filled by Steve Berger and Pascal
Maeter. RPC will take responsibility for setting up the Lunzer Wine Investments Institutional Fund in the
British Virgin Islands, which is due to be launched very soon. The pair bring a great deal of experience in
fund management – Steve Berger built and managed several of Lehman Brothers’ early private equity
funds, raising and managing in excess of $2 billion.
RPC will also help to support marketing activity for all of Lunzer’s products, providing access to an extensive
network of potential investors and intermediaries. Richmond Park Capital may also itself invest in the
products.
Peter Lunzer, Chief Executive and Chief Investment Officer, Lunzer Wine Investments, said:
“We have a wealth of specific wine investment expertise at Lunzer, and Richmond Park Capital brings a
corresponding level of private equity and fund management experience. I look forward to working with
Steve and Pascal as our complimentary skills help us to become the foremost institutional fine wine
investment manager.”
Neil Rafferty, Director, Lunzer Wine Investments, commented:
“This is a major step forward for Lunzer and institutional fine wine investing. Steve, Pascal and RPC team
have superb credentials in building value through long-term equity investing, so their investment is a real
vote of confidence. As importantly, it fast tracks our ability to deliver a world class institutional investment
fund product.”
Steve Berger, Founding Partner, Richmond Park Capital added:
“We believe that the combination of Lunzer Wine Investments business activities with our structuring
expertise and client network can build a market leading wine investment business. Peter Lunzer is one of
the most respected names in the sector and we look forward to working with him to deliver our first fund
in the near future.”
Press Enquiries:
Madano Partnership
Adam Wurf/Dominic Barretto
020 7593 4000
About Lunzer Wine Investments
Lunzer Wine Investments has been set up to capitalise on the strong returns to be made by investing in top
class Bordeaux wines. Bordeaux wines have consistently offered investors steady and consistent returns
above general investment market expectations. In recent years, funds specialising in Bordeaux wines have
seen average growth in the region of 1% per month giving double-digit annual returns.
Our Funds are open to both institutional and private investors. Initially the Funds will run for a five year
term with all wines kept in secure Government licenced bonded warehouses. At the end of the term the
Funds will be liquidated and cash returned to investors.
About Richmond Park Capital LLP
Established in 2007, Richmond Park Capital is an independent merchant bank that offers clients direct
access to over 100 years of investment banking experience ranging from advisory and capital markets
structuring to private equity and other alternative investment strategies.
Asset Management in Alternative Assets
Richmond Park Capital, and its affiliated entities, offer access to a variety of independent asset managers
not tied to any particular fund or methodology. RPC has an experienced team with a proven track record of
successful partnerships with talented investment managers.
Richmond Park Capital also maintains an active program of direct investment in exciting growth companies
in a variety of industry sectors, both in Europe and the US. RPC typically works actively to mentor the
management teams of companies in which they make a direct investment.
www.richmondparkcapital.com
About the fine wine market
Fine Wine is an established form of alternative investment that can offer impressive returns. The wine
market is based upon simple supply and demand economics. Bordeaux has the most stable financial market
of all wine producing regions, while in each decade only 3-4 vintages out of every 10 have wines of a high
enough quality for investment purposes. A chateau can only produce a unique and finite amount of wine
each year. As this is happening the wine is maturing and becoming more desirable, which leads to an
increase in demand.
Disclaimer
This document is for information only and is not an offer to sell or an invitation to invest. In particular, it does not constitute an
offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful or where the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do
so or the recipient may not lawfully receive any such offer or solicitation. It is the responsibility of any person in possession of this
document to inform themselves of, and to observe, all applicable laws and regulations of relevant jurisdictions. The information
and any opinions contained herein have been obtained from or are based on sources, which are believed to be reliable, but the
accuracy cannot be guaranteed.