Introductory Note.
As previously disclosed, on October 6, 2024, The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “Duckhorn”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Marlee Buyer, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Marlee Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”). Parent and Merger Sub are each affiliates of investment funds managed by Butterfly Equity LP (“Butterfly”). On December 24, 2024, Merger Sub merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”) on the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Surviving Corporation”).
Item 1.01 |
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
Concurrently with the closing of the Merger, on December 24, 2024, Parent, as the borrower, Marlee Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as holdings, and the Company, as a guarantor, entered into that certain credit agreement with American AgCredit, PCA, as administrative agent, collateral agent and letter of credit issuer, each additional borrower party thereto from time to time, each other guarantor party thereto from time to time, each lender from time to time party thereto and each other letter of credit issuer from time to time party thereto (the “Credit Agreement”), which provides for (i) an initial term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount equal to $900,000,000 and (ii) a revolving commitments facility in an aggregate principal amount equal to $300,000,000 (which includes a letter of credit sub-facility in an aggregate principal amount of $15,000,000). Certain of Parent’s subsidiaries (including the Company) are guarantors under the Credit Agreement. The obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured on a first priority basis by substantially all assets of the borrower and the guarantors (subject to certain exclusions and exceptions). The Credit Agreement includes representations and warranties, covenants, events of default and other provisions that are customary for facilities of the respective types provided for therein.
The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1.02 |
Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement. |
In connection with the consummation of the Merger, on December 24, 2024, Duckhorn repaid in full the obligations then owed under the Amended and Restated First Lien Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 4, 2022, by and among Selway Wine Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Selway”), Mallard Buyer Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, certain other subsidiaries of the Company, collectively as borrowers, certain financial institutions party thereto, as lenders, and BMO Harris Bank N.A. (as successor in interest to Bank of the West), as administrative agent and collateral agent (as amended from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), and upon the receipt of such payment by the lenders party thereto, as applicable, all obligations under the Loan Agreement and related collateral documents, other than certain continuing indemnity obligations and other obligations which, by the express terms of the Loan Agreement and related ancillary documents, survive the termination of the Loan Agreement, were terminated and all security interests in the collateral securing the loans were released.
Item 2.01 |
Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets. |
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares of Company Common Stock (i) held in the treasury of the Company or owned by the Company or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) owned by Parent, Merger Sub or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent or Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time or (iii) held or owned by stockholders who have not voted in favor of the Merger and who have demanded, properly in writing, appraisal for such shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (collectively, the “Excluded Shares”)), was converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $11.10, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”), and as of the Effective Time, all such shares are no longer outstanding and were automatically cancelled.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, each option to purchase shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement other than any option to purchase shares granted in September 2024 and October 2024 had their vesting terms accelerated by six months. After reflecting such partial