Henkell Freixenet has become the sole owner of Freixenet S.A., after the Spanish founding shareholders fully exited the company. The remaining shares held by the Ferrer family and José Luis Bonet were transferred to the group by mutual agreement on 2 March 2026. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
The deal marks the complete withdrawal of the Spanish shareholders from the cava producer founded by the Ferrer family. Since the transaction, the German group now holds 100% of Freixenet S.A., ending a shared ownership structure that had been in place since 2018.
That year, Henkell & Co., part of Dr. August Oetker KG, acquired a majority stake in the Spanish sparkling wine producer (inside.beer, 24.02.2018). After subsequent capital adjustments, the ownership structure evolved into an approximate 50/50 partnership between the German investor and the Spanish founding shareholders.
During the following years, the partnership created a global sparkling wine leader. The combined group adopted the name Henkell Freixenet in 2019 and expanded its international footprint, becoming the world’s largest sparkling wine producer (inside.beer, 19.03.2018).
With the latest transaction, the Ferrer family and Bonet have now completely exited the shareholder structure. Dr. Andreas Brokemper, CEO of Henkell Freixenet, said the cooperation over the past eight years had strengthened the company’s international position and laid the foundation for further global expansion.
Although no longer shareholders, Pedro Ferrer and Bonet will remain associated with the company as honorary presidents of Freixenet S.A. Ferrer is also expected to continue representing the brand in certain institutions.
Following the sale, the former owners intend to concentrate on Ferrer Wines, a winery group led by Pedro Ferrer that will serve as the family’s main platform for future activities in the Spanish wine sector.
The transaction also reflects the broader restructuring of the Oetker family businesses. In 2021, the conglomerate was split into two separate ownership groups, resulting in Henkell Freixenet and Radeberger Group becoming independent companies under different family branches (inside.beer, 22.07.2021). While Radeberger remains Germany’s largest brewing group, Henkell Freixenet focuses on wine and sparkling wine.
