California winery completes purchase of Kentucky’s Four Roses Bourbon

The acquisition of Kentucky-based Four Roses Bourbon by a California wine company has been finalized, two months after the deal was first announced, according to an April 2 news release from the winery.

The agreement transfers Four Roses from Japan-based Kirin Holdings to E. & J. Gallo Winery of Modesto, California, in a deal reported to be worth up to $775 million. The bourbon brand, based in Lawrenceburg, now returns to U.S. family ownership for the first time in 83 years, the release said. Kirin had owned Four Roses since 2002 and put the brand up for sale in October 2024.

Gallo officials said Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliott and other members of the current team will remain in place.

“This is an incredibly exciting chapter for Four Roses and a meaningful milestone in our 138-year history,” Elliott said in a statement. “From the beginning, Gallo demonstrated deep respect and appreciation for the brand. As we join the Gallo family, we are energized by the alignment in values and the long-term vision they bring. With their support, we’re well positioned to build on our momentum while staying true to the quality and character that have guided us for generations.”

Britt West, Gallo’s chief commercial officer, said Four Roses “is one of the most respected bourbons in the world” because of its heritage and craftsmanship.

“Gallo has more than five decades of expertise in spirits distillation, maturation, and brand building,” West said. “We are committed to upholding Four Roses’ quality and building the brand as a cornerstone of our portfolio through increased consumer and trade engagement, innovation, and global expansion.”

Kirin representatives said Four Roses “contributed to the growth” of the company’s enterprise value. Officials added that the decision to sell the bourbon brand followed a review of its balance sheet and business portfolio.

The Financial Times reported that Kirin Holdings plans to shift away from the spirits industry, which has faced challenges amid President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, and focus more on its health care business.

The Four Roses brand dates back to 1888 and has roots on Louisville’s Whiskey Row. It now operates a distillery and visitor center in Lawrenceburg, along with a warehouse and bottling facility in Cox’s Creek.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.