Vranken-Pommery Monopole and Codornìu have confirmed that they have opened negotiations over a possible merger.
Could Vranken-Pommery Monopole team up with Cordoniu?
The Champagne group, the second largest, confirmed today that the two wine companies are "studying opportunities". No further details were given in the one-sentence statement.
"As a continuation of their trade relations," the statement read, "the groups Vranken-Pommery Monopole in France and Codornìu in Spain are studying the opportunities to strengthen their links."
The announcement comes three months after just-drinks exclusively revealed that German wine group Henkell & Co acquired a near-51% stake in Cordoniu's compatriot, Cava producer Freixenet. A month later, family-owned Codorníu rejected a bid from US equity fund The Carlyle Group, stating at the time that it remained open to bringing a minority partner onboard.
As well as Champagne, Vranken-Pommery has sites in Provence, Camargue and Douro, while Codorníu owns 10 wineries in Spain, Argentina and California, and operates 3,000 hectares of vineyard.
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Sectors: Mergers & acquisitions, Wine
Companies: Vranken-Pommery Monopole
