California’s Gallo buying Four Roses bourbon in $775 million deal with Kirin

By Bruce Schreiner | The Associated Press

Gallo signaled Friday that it sees wine and whiskey as a good mix for business.

The wine giant said it plans to add a prominent Kentucky bourbon brand to its portfolio in a deal to purchase Four Roses Distillery from Japanese-based Kirin.

The deal, valued at up to $775 million, is expected to close in the second quarter of this year, Kirin said in a release. Modesto-based Gallo said no changes are planned in operations, production...