Freixenet Copestick, the UK and Ireland arm of sparkling wine specialist Henkell Freixenet, has acquired renowned English sparkling wine and wine cellar, Bolney Wine Estate. The transaction was completed on 14 January.
English sparkling wine is a growing category and has been described by some experts as “the new Champagne” the brand owner noted in a statement. Bolney Wine Estate, widely considered to be one of the pioneers of English sparkling wine, is a family-run business founded by 1972 by Janet and Rodney Pratt. The estate is now run by their daughter, Samantha Linter, who is CEO.
Guided by nature, Bolney Wine Estate produces a vast portfolio of sparkling wines from Pinot Noir to its classic, sparkling Bolney Bubbly and Blanc de Blancs.
Most recently, the winery received the Sustainability Award at Glass of Bubbly UK 2021. It has received a Gold Medal for its Estate Chardonnay in 2020, a Trophy and Gold Medal for its Cuvée Rosé 2018 and Gold Medal for its Blanc de Blancs 2015 at the Texsom Awards.
Commenting on the acquisition, Henkell Freixenet CEO Dr. Andreas Brokemper said: “As producers of Champagne, Crémant, Cava, Prosecco and sparkling wines of various origins, we are delighted to add English sparkling wine, a still young, prestigious sparkling wine speciality to our ‘Pearls of Europe’.
“We are convinced that as the global market leader in the sparkling wine market, we can further strengthen the image of English sparkling wine nationally and internationally.”
“When we first saw Bolney Wine Estate, we were sure we had found the perfect winery,” added Freixenet Copestick Managing Director Robin Copestick. “The sparkling wines are excellent and the business is excellently run by Samantha Linter. She will work closely with the Henkell Freixenet and Freixenet Copestick teams as Managing Director. Together we aim to realise the opportunities presented by English sparkling wine and continue to grow Bolney Wine Estate’s position.”
Linter added, “This is a new chapter for Bolney Wine Estate. Over the past 50 years my family and I have worked hard to bring Bolney to where it is today. I am now very much looking forward to working with Freixenet Copestick and helping to develop Bolney within the group nationally and internationally.”
*Click here for a recent Moodie Davitt Report interview with Dr. Andreas Brokemper, who discusses the leading sparkling wine company’s resilience amid crisis, diversification in the travel retail offer and evolving consumer tastes.
Note: Note: As part of The Moodie Davitt Report’s commitment to championing the wine category in travel retail, we publish a regular newsletter called Wine Curated, in association with Italian wine company Masi. Click here to read the latest edition or email Sinead@MoodieDavittReport.com to subscribe free of charge.
