Each of these stories began locally, but all were driven by the same entrepreneurial spirit: a commitment to quality and craftsmanship, the power of strong brands and the ambition to bring sparkling wine to consumers far beyond their home markets.
Building on these strong roots, Henkell Freixenet has developed over generations through strategic expansion, partnerships and acquisitions into the world’s leading sparkling wine producer and a successful provider of wines and spirits. Today, with 38 sister companies, a broad international footprint and exports to more than 130 markets, Henkell Freixenet combines global scale with strong local relevance.
Henkell Freixenet’s story has always been shaped by change – in the past, today and as we look to the future. Yet one thing remains constant: our uncompromising commitment to quality and craftsmanship, our strong brand portfolio and our shared ambition to make life sparkle for consumers around the world.
1825
E. Hubert founded the first sparkling wine winery outside the Champagne region in Slovakia — a milestone in the history of sparkling wine.
1832/1856
After founding a wine merchant company, Adam Henkell began producing Sekt in 1856 — thereby writing a defining chapter in the history of German sparkling wine
1864
J.J. Söhnlein founded the Rheingau Sparkling Wine Winery in Germany. In France, Alfred Gratien and Gratien Meyer established two wineries renowned for Champagne and Crémant of the highest artisanal quality.
1882
The Törley winery was founded in Budapest — one of Central Europe’s most influential sparkling wine brands, which later became part of the Henkell Freixenet Group.
1887
Francesco Mionetto founded the Mionetto winery in Valdobbiadene — today the world’s best-selling Prosecco brand, rooted in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco-producing region.
1914
Pedro Ferrer and Dolores Sala Vivé began producing Cava in Catalonia and founded Freixenet, a brand that would go on to become the best-selling of its kind worldwide.
1958
Rudolf-August Oetker acquired Söhnlein Rheingold Sektkellerei in Germany.
1960
Gorbatschow Wodka KG became part of the Group — an early and strategically significant step into the world of spirits.
1975
Schloss Johannisberg — the world’s oldest Riesling estate — became part of the Group, strengthening its premium positioning in the still wine segment.
1987
Henkell and Söhnlein merged — two pioneers of German sparkling wine united their strengths and laid the foundation for today’s Group.
1992
With the acquisition of Törley Sektkellerei Kft., the Group continued its international expansion in Central Europe.
1999
The Czech company Bohemia AG strengthened the portfolio and consolidated the Group’s presence in Central Europe.
2000
Hubert J.E. in Slovakia, together with Gratien Meyer and Alfred Gratien in France, expanded the Group with three wineries boasting deep historical roots.
2008
The acquisition of the Prosecco winery Mionetto S.p.A. marked a milestone of strategic importance for the Group. Today, Mionetto is the Group’s second-largest brand.
2010
Kuemmerling, one of Germany’s best-known herbal liqueur brands, became part of the Group.
2012
Five new distribution companies were established in Latvia, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Switzerland — enabling the Group to systematically expand its presence across European markets.
2013
Acquisition of Copestick Murray in the United Kingdom, together with the establishment of new distribution companies in Finland and Norway.
2017
Mangaroca Batida became part of the Group.
2018
Henkell & Co. acquired a majority stake in Freixenet S.A. — creating Henkell Freixenet, a leading international sparkling wine company.
2022
Bolney Wine Estate, a renowned English winery, joined the Group — bringing with it the growing English sparkling wine category.
2024
The acquisition of Vinicom strengthened the Group’s presence in the Portuguese market.
2025
A new distribution company in Uruguay deepened the Group’s market presence in Latin America.
2026
Henkell Freixenet acquired 100% of the shares in Freixenet.