United Distillers & Vintners

Diageo is a global consumers goods company formed in December 1997, through a merger of United Distillers & Vintners (UDV), Grand Metropolitan pls, and Guinness plc. Their products include Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Gordon’s Gilbey’s, Tanqueray, Hennessy, Jose Cuervo, Bailey’s, and Guiness. UDV was a principle opponent of the Wine & Spirits Fair Dealing Act, also known as the Wirtz Bill, which required wine and liquor producers to give one-year notice prior to switching distributors. The Wirtz Bill passed the general assembly in 2000, but was declared unconstitutional by a circuit court, and was later repealed.

Diageo North America/UDV is a career patron of House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R).

From January 1, 1993 through December 31,2004, Diageo and its subsidiaries gave $1.0 million to candidates for Illinois statewide constitutional and legislative office, 52% of it to Republicans.

Last revised August, 2004.