Henkell Freixenet’s talks to buy a majority stake in Maison Pommery & Associés have ended without an agreement with the French wine and Champagne group.
In a statement yesterday (5 August), the French Champagne producer confirmed the talks have come to “a preliminary end and did not result in an agreement at this stage”.
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The companies began exclusive discussions in June.
The proposed deal would have seen Henkell International, a subsidiary of Germany’s Henkell Freixenet, gain a majority holding in Maison Pommery.
In yesterday’s statement, the Pommery Champagne brand owner pointed to the possibility of both parties returning to the table at a “later stage”.
Besides, the company said it continues to explore disposals of “non-strategic assets” across its portfolio, especially in southern Europe.
According to its statement, “advanced” talks are ongoing with interested parties over the sale of non-core operations in the Camargue region.
The group plans to cut inventory by around €100m ($105.02m) between 2027 and 2030, with the first impact expected this December.
Together, those actions are expected to generate total deleveraging of €200m.
Maison Pommery is also considering a capital increase for “strengthening” its equity position.
The company will ask shareholders to approve a dividend, with the board setting the amount and payment date on 7 September, instead of the earlier 21 September schedule.
The payout will be “significantly lower” than the €0.80 per share announced in March, it said.
Additionally, Maison Pommery alongside its nine subsidiaries secured an agreement with key financial partners to cover funding needs through 19 June 2027.
The company said the arrangement is designed to finance the 2026 harvest, which is expected “earlier than usual”, and cover related operating costs and commitments.
It will also support ongoing operating priorities and the deleveraging plan while the group continues to examine a possible strategic partnership.
The funding arrangement has a provision for a one-year extension.
Any extension to 19 June 2028 depends on the maturity of the €45m bond issued on 14 May 2019 being pushed out to the same date, with no event of default and continued compliance with financial and operational undertakings, the French group said.
Maison Pommery will publish its 2025 universal registration document on 7 September, alongside its half-year financial report, which had originally been due on 10 September.
The group operates in Champagne, Provence, Camargue and Portugal’s Douro Valley.
In 2025, it reported consolidated revenue of €293.2m, down 3.6% from the prior year. Net income rose to €31.9m from €800,000, helped by the sale of Heidsieck & Co Monopole to Lanson-BCC.
Henkell Freixenet posted net revenue of €1.25bn in 2025, up 0.5% year-on-year.
