International Distillers & Vintners was a brewing and wine and spirits distribution company, formed from the 1962 merger of W&A Gilbey and Justerini and Brooks.
History
W&A Gilbey was founded in 1857 as a gin distillery by Sir Walter Gilbey, but by 1962 had a diversified family share holding, chaired by former figure skater and politician, Ronald Gilbey.[1] He had resigned from London County Council in 1958,[2] to become chairman of W&A Gilbey, a post he held for eleven years. At the time of the merger, Gilbey's was the largest wine and spirits company in the United Kingdom.[1]
In 1962, W&A Gilbey merged with Justerini and Brooks to form International Distillers & Vintners. The company was taken over by Grand Metropolitan in 1972.[3][4]
In 1997, Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan to create Diageo. In 1998 International Distillers & Vintners merged with United Distillers to create United Distillers & Vintners, forming the spirits division of Diageo.[5]
Distilleries
Distilleries owned by International Distillers & Vintners.[6]
- Auchroisk
- Glen Spey
- Knockando