Wells Fargo Securities analysts say plant-based beverages are a 'unique growth opportunity' and believe a partnership with WhiteWave Foods would bring Coke several important strategic benefits. John Baumgartner and Bonnie Herzog, both senior analysts at Wells Fargo Securities, are the lead authors of a note published today discussing talk - first fomented by Reuters from late 2012 but never addressed by management from either company, of a possible tie-up.