Distribution company Hop And Vine, and an associated entity ABV Beverages, have both been put into liquidation.
Christchurch-based beer, wine and cider distributor Hop and Vine, owned by Terry and Carol Mitchell, was placed into liquidation on April 2 after more than 25 years in business.
ABV Beverages, jointly owned by Hop And Vine and Auckland-based Beer Fridge, which launched in September 2024, was placed into liquidation on the same day.
According to Brenton Hunt’s liquidator’s report, the reasons for insolvency of the businesses include:
- With a difficult trading environment since its inception, the company(s) struggled with working capital.
- A number of key brands which were targeted to be distributed were not converted to suppliers.
- Directors sought professional advice and decided to place the company(s) into Voluntary Liquidation.
The report states that Hop And Vine owes Inland Revenue an estimated $5,000 in GST, and unsecured creditors an estimated $80,000.
ABV Beverages owes unsecured creditors around $700,000 and the liquidator estimates they’ll be able to repay $213,000.
According to Michael Donaldson’s Friday Night Beers substack, “the liquidation of the two companies has left several breweries out of pocket to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars”.
“Most of the breweries, and a large number of wineries, will recoup little of their lost income — judging by the published accounts,” says Donaldson.
Breweries impacted include Three Boys, Emerson’s, Duncan’s, Shining Peak, Laughing Bones, Black Sands, Burkes, Volstead, Waitoa and Brothers.
Wineries include Bladen Wines, Elodie, Ash Ridge Wines, Anchorage Family Estate, Misty Cove Wines, among many more.
Brewery owners tell Donaldson they are disappointed by the lack of communication and false promises from Hop and Vine.
To read Michael Donaldson’s full story, click here.
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