Fine wine merchant Goedhuis & Co and Waddesdon Wine – a subsidiary of the Rothschild Foundation and exclusive UK distributor of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite and Edmond de Rothschild Heritage – are merging to form a “formidable” fine wine business, it has been announced. The deal, which comes into immediate effect, will see the creation of a new company, Goedhuis Waddesdon, as part of a strategic goal to accelerate expansion and become “a formidable presence” in the wine industry. Although the two businesses will be fully integrated over time, initially they will both continue to trade under their existing names to ensure no disruption to clients or suppliers, it said. However the merger will unite the two company’s expertise, service and prestigious portfolios to create a “new destination for wine collectors, retailers and hospitality businesses”, it said. Waddesdon Wine is a subsidiary of the Rothschild Foundation, represents wines from Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite and Edmond de Rothschild Heritage exclusively in the UK. It also represents Hundred Acre and collaborates with wineries including Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Baron Arques, Henri Bourgeois and Penfolds, successfully marketing these top flight wines to trade clients, premium retailers, Mayfair restaurants and hotels, and national restaurant groups. Its customers include Harrods, Selfridges, Waitrose Cellar and Marks & Spencer. Chateau Lafite Rothschild will retain a minority shareholding in the newly merged Goedhuis Waddesdon Limited, it confirmed. Saskia de Rothschild, chairwoman of Lafite said that the company had “long admired the integrity and buying knowledge of the Goedhuis & Co team” and
This Article was originally published on The Drink Business - Fine Wine
