PRESS RELEASE
July 5, 2019
Cool Japan Fund Inc. (CJF), a public-private fund with the aim of supporting and promoting the development of demand overseas for excellent Japanese products and services, has invested in East Meets West Fine Wines (EMW).
EMW has been operating with great success for over 15 years in the fastest wine growing market in the world. This investment is of high strategic importance for CJF and it marks a significant milestone for the development of their portfolio.
Leaf has assisted EMW during its due diligence and negotiations on price, structuring and deal-making, as well as drafting of contractual documentation.
Founded in 2003, EMW is representing exclusively more than 80 brands from 15 countries and is marketing and distributing wines in over 150 cities across mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
CJF offers an exciting opportunity for EMW to strengthen its resources to support continued growth of its premium wine business and accelerating its development into complimentary beverages such as sake and craft spirits.
Jean-Philippe Engel and Bruno Grangier (partners), led the Leaf team. They were assisted by Chloe Voratanouvong and Bill Zhao.
About Leaf
Leaf is a corporate law firm specialized in M&A transactions in China. The team, composed of Chinese and international corporate lawyers, advises mid-cap enterprises and international corporations for their M&A operations in China, their joint ventures with public and private Chinese players or to structure investment in Asia. Leaf’s team has recently received the award of the M&A Cross-Border Transactions Firm of the Year in China by Finance Monthly and recognized as a member of league of Valuable Practice in M&A by Leaders League in 2018.
About EMW
EMW exclusively represents more than 95 wineries from renowned regions of the most important 15 wine countries and is marketing and distributing wines in over 150 cities across mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. EMW has been awarded “Best Wine Importer” for eight consecutive years since 2011 by China Sommeliers Wine Challenge/Wine 100 Challenge.
About CJF
Cool Japan Fund was founded in November 2013 as a public-private fund with the aim of supporting and promoting the development of demand overseas for excellent Japanese products and services. It aims to commercialize the “Cool Japan” and increase overseas demand by providing risk capital for businesses across a variety of areas, including media & content, food & services, fashion & lifestyle and inbound.
For further information:
Bruno Grangier – b.grangier@leaf-legal.com
