DMH Stallard has advised the shareholders of Bolney Wine Estate on the sale of its English Winery to leading sparkling wine supplier, Henkell Freixenet. The transaction took place on 14 January.
Bolney Wine Estate, based in Haywards Heath, Sussex, is renowned for its English Sparkling Wine; an emerging category that is regarded by some experts as ‘comparable to champagne’. Sam Linter, Managing Director and Head Winemaker heads up the family business, with its heritage dating back 50 years when her parents Janet and Rodney planted their very first vines. Now, with a dedicated and expert team and a lot of love and passion, Bolney Wine Estate is an industry pioneer producing a variety of award-winning premium red, white, rosé and sparkling English wines. Sam Linter said:
“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 Henkel Freixenet and Freixenet Copestick and helping to further develop Bolney within the group nationally and internationally."
Freixenet Copestick is the UK and Ireland arm of Henkell Freixenet, the world’s leading sparkling wine producer with subsidiaries in 30 countries, exporting brands such as Freixenet, Henkell, Mionetto Prosecco, Fürst von Metternich, Segura Viudas and i heart WINES, to more than 150 countries. They are delighted with the acquisition and the opportunity to add English sparkling wine to their repertoire and will continue to grow Bolney Wine Estate’s position nationally, whilst also strengthening the image of English sparkling internationally.
Helen Mead, Corporate Partner at DMH Stallard, led the team advising Bolney Wine Estate. She said:
"I was delighted to assist Sam and her fellow shareholders with the transaction. I have known Sam and the team at Bolney for a number of years and wish them and Henkell Freixenet all the best for the next phase in Bolney’s development."
David Blake of Chantry Corporate Finance and Jens Brodersen of Brodersen & Co. Ltd, provided corporate finance and strategic M&A advice to Bolney Wine Estate.