A legal fight over who controls Portugal's largest wine company has come to an end. After six years of litigation, José Berardo is selling his 32 percent stake in Sogrape to the majority shareholders—the Guedes family—and their partners. The sale will end Berardo's attempt to take over Sogrape, a firm with 3,800 acres of vineyards and brands including Sandeman and Mateus, with 2011 sales of $236 million.
Three separate families founded Sogrape in 1942—the Guedes family, the Carmo family and the Correia da Silva family. Since the 1980s, the Guedes clan has controlled it. When the Carmos wanted to exit, they sold their third to Berardo after negotiations with other shareholders failed. Berardo is the ninth-richest man in Portugal, worth $786 million, according to 2012 media reports.
In some ways, and without knowing full details, i think it is a bit of a shame that there was not a working relationship - Berardo seems like a very impressive individual with great vision.
No - hadn't even heard of him until this story popped up a couple of months ago. Did a google search of his name and his resume seems rather impressive!
