Australian drinks firms Lion Nathan and BRL Hardy bid for three wine companies in the space of a week. Lion Nathan bid for small south Australian winery Banksia and then made a $109m bid for premium Aussie wine company Petaluma. BRL Hardy announced its buy of fast growing premium winery Blackstone with US joint venture partner Constellation Brands. The two teamed up in August to sell Australian wine in the United States and produce US wines for the domestic market through Pacific Wine Partners. There are reports, however, that Lion Nathan's bid for Petaluma could be trumped by arch rival Allied Domecq. The Sydney Morning Herald said Goldman Sachs ­ known to act for Allied ­ is offering a better price than Lion. {{NEWS }}

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