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), Maison Pommery & Associés confirmed the discussions had come to “a preliminary end and did not result in an agreement at this stage”.

The companies began exclusive discussions in June over a proposed deal for Henkell Freixenet to acquire a majority holding in Maison Pommery.

In yesterday's statement, Maison Pommery said the companies could still return to the table at a “later stage”.

Now the exclusive talks with Henkell Freixenet have ended, Maison Pommery said it is able to weigh up asset sales and "any other transactions aimed at strengthening its equity".

Maison Pommery said it continues to explore the possible disposal of “non-strategic assets”, especially in southern Europe. The company said the potential disposals would be "for an aggregate amount" of around €100m ($105m).

The company said “advanced” talks are ongoing over the sale of non-core operations in the Camargue region.

The group, meanwhile, plans to cut inventory by around €100m between 2027 and 2030, with the first impact expected this December.

Maison Pommery is also considering a capital increase to “strengthen” 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.

Maison Pommery has also secured an agreement with key financial partners to cover funding needs through to 19 June next year.

The company said the arrangement is designed to finance the 2026 harvest, which is expected “earlier than usual”, as well as cover related operating costs and commitments.

The funding arrangement has a provision for a one-year extension.

Any extension to 19 June 2028 depends on the maturity of a €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.