Marlboro Maker Altria to Sell Wine Business for $1.2 Billion Jul 09 2021, 10:55 PM July 09 2021, 7:23 PM July 09 2021, 10:55 PM (Bloomberg) -- Altria Group Inc. agreed to sell its Ste. Michelle Wine Estates business to Sycamore Partners Management LP as the maker of Marlboro cigarettes in the U.S. prunes its non-tobacco holdings. (Bloomberg) -- Altria Group Inc. agreed to sell its Ste. Michelle Wine Estates business to Sycamore Partners Management LP as the maker of Marlboro cigarettes in the U.S. prunes its non-tobacco holdings. The private equity firm will pay $1.2 billion in the cash deal, along with the assumption of certain Ste. Michelle liabilities, according to a statement Friday. The transaction is expected to close in the second half after receiving antitrust approval.