Lion Nathan, whose purchase of a majority of shares of Montana, New Zealand’s largest wine company, is still subject to some scrutiny, has issued notice to increase its shareholding to 100%. Claiming that while it was ‘comfortable’ with its present 51% stake, it says that complete ownership would shore it up against possible moves from Allied Domecq, the company it managed to beat in the race to acquire control of the company. Allied still claims that Lion Nathan bought around 23% of Montana before it was entitled to, breaching NZSE rules in the process and has filed notice to reinstate its ability to buy Montana shares between NZ$4.16 and NZ$4.64 a share.
