This transaction marks another step in Campari Group’s strategy to streamline its portfolio and focus on core brands while “reducing business complexity and supporting financial deleverage.”
As part of this strategy the group announced the disposal of its Australian production facility and co-packing business in March 2025 and of Cinzano in June 2025, for a total contribution of around 3% of Campari Group net sales on a pro-forma basis.
In October, Campari Group, through Dioniso Group (its 50/50 joint venture with Moët Hennessy), also announced the sale of Tannico, the Italian e-commerce platform for wine and spirits, to a private industry player.
The total proceeds from these sales, including the sale of Averna and Zedda Piras, are in excess of €210 million, the company said.
Simon Hunt, Chief Executive Officer at Campari Group, said: “The sale of Averna and Zedda Piras is another important step in our portfolio streamlining strategy, aimed at refocusing on fewer bigger bets, while supporting further deleverage, as we outlined during our Capital Markets Day.”
He added: “We are very pleased to execute this transaction with Illva Saronno Holding S.p.A., a strong player in the alcoholic beverages market and the best possible fit for the future development of these brands, especially given their long-standing history of working with Sicilian brands. I would like to express my gratitude to our teams for their commitment and hard work in looking after these brands over the years.”
Marco Ferrari, Chief Executive Officer of Illva Saronno, said: “The acquisition of Averna and Zedda Piras is another step towards strengthening our role as a global spirits player. With their recognised quality and heritage, the two brands are a great addition to our international portfolio, and will significantly reinforce our position in three of our priority markets (US, Germany and Italy). Illva Saronno, with its solid international presence, is proud to promote the Italian culture and way of life around the globe, which is something we share with, and admire of, Campari Group. We are confident that under our leadership the brands will continue to flourish in the coming years.”
As part of the deal Illva Saronno and Campari Group will enter into a “transitional” manufacturing agreement in Italy for the blending and bottling of Amaro Averna in Campari Group’s Canale production facility.
There will also be a “transitional” distribution agreement whereby Campari Group will continue to distribute Amaro Averna and Zedda Piras products in certain markets such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland before transitioning to Illva Saronno.
The deal is expected to be finalised in the first half of 2026.
