The Pommery Group, number three among the champagne houses, is negotiating with the German company Henkell Freixenet about an acquisition. This is reported by the industry magazine Vitisphere. Henkell, the global market leader for sparkling wines, could enter as a majority shareholder. As Pommery announced, "exclusive negotiations with Henkell International regarding a strategic merger project" are being conducted for a period of two months. However, the talks depend on the corporate analysis ("Due Diligence"), agreement on the contract terms, and regulatory approvals. There is currently "no guarantee that the ongoing negotiations will lead to a transaction." The annual general meeting of Pommery scheduled for June 4 has already been postponed to June 30.

Maison Pommery is in financial difficulties (wein.plus reported). The debts amounted to 754 million euros at the end of 2025. Just in September of the previous year, the Heidsieck & Co Monopole brand was sold to competitor Lanson for 50 million euros. The group includes, in addition to the champagne brands Pommery, Vranken, Maison Pompadour, and Charles Lafitte, also wineries in France and Portugal as well as the British sparkling wine brand Louis Pommery.

The German group Henkell Freixenet is part of the food company Dr. Oetker. It includes the market leaders in Prosecco and Cava, Mionetto and Freixenet. In Champagne, it owns the house Alfred Gratien, the Crémant brand Gratien & Meyer, and the Bordeaux trading house Yvon Mau. Last year, there were speculations about an acquisition of the champagne brand Mumm from the beverage company Pernod Ricard.

(al; Image: Pommery, AI)

More on the topic:

Global demand for sparkling wines is growing

Champagne house Pommery facing financial problems

Champagne sales at their lowest since 2001