Campari Group and Montelobos

In October 2019, Italy’s Campari Group took a controlling stake in Montelobos, marking the group’s entry into the mezcal category.

The US$35.7m acquisition also included the purchase of Ancho Reyes liqueur. Campari Group owns a 51% stake in the brands, which were created by Mexican spirits firm Casa Lumbre.

Montelobos is an artisanal mezcal produced by Mexican distiller Iván Saldaña. As part of the acquisition, Campari Group leveraged a fully integrated supply chain for the two brands through leased production and bottling facilities.

The agave used to make Montelobos mezcal is sourced through third‐party agreements with major local growers, and these partnerships continue to be managed in continuity with past arrangements.

With Montelobos, Campari Group will focus on the US market. The company also owns super‐premium Tequila brand Espolòn, which grew by 24.9% according to Campari Group’s first nine months of 2019.