Henkell buys majority stake in Freixenet

By Lisa Riley

Published: 19 March, 2018

German sparkling wine company Henkell has acquired a 50.7% stake in Spanish cava giant Freixenet.

The deal, which has been on the cards for two years and follows a long period of negotiations, will see Henkell - the branch of the Oetker group specialised in sparkling wine, become the world’s leading sparkling wine producer.

It is believed Henkell, which owns UK agency Copestick Murray, paid just under €220 million for the majority share, with its major shareholders including presidents, José Ferrer and José Luis Bonet, believed to have retained their shares.

In Henkell, Freixenet had found a strong partner with a long-term strategy that would "significantly strengthen” the Spanish cava brand, said José Luis Bonet Ferrer, president, Freixenet, adding the deal would help the brand to maintain its identity and tradition – with an "even stronger" international presence in the future.

Andreas Brokemper, CEO of Henkell, said: “Henkell and Freixenet share a strong entrepreneurial vision. We are delighted to realise as partners the opportunities of the globally growing sparkling wine market. Together, we can offer our customers not only global expertise but also a unique range of first-class brands and specialties.”

Freixenet, founded in 1914, is the leader in cava bubbly with its native grapes and use of the 'traditional' champenoise method comprising a second fermentation in the bottle in underground caves.

The acquisitionis subject to approval by the antitrust authorities

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