Centre Vinicole-Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte (CV-CNF) said it acquired the centuries-old Champagne House Henri Abelé, which has been part of the Freixenet Group since 1985. Terms weren’t disclosed.
Champagne Henri Abelé sells about 300,000 bottles, exclusively on-trade through specialized and traditional channels and also as a long term official supplier to royal courts of Europe and to the most prestigious institutions worldwide (including the Élysée Palace – French President’s residence – UNESCO, the French Senate). It benefits from the support of Freixenet’s distribution network and from Yvon Mau (both subsidiaries of the Henkell-Freixenet Group). Champagne House of Henri Abelé does not own vineyards but has managed to secure long term contracts with wine growers mostly from the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs vineyards.
The CV-CNF, whose flagship brand Nicolas Feuillatte is No.1 in France* and currently No. 3 worldwide, according to Impact, continues its value strategy in a Champagne market driven by brand premiumization and steps up its development with the addition of a prized asset in its enlarged brand portfolio.
Henri Abelé Champagne House, which dates back to 1757 and is, therefore, one of the oldest and rarest Champagne Houses, is located in Reims historical city center with large traditional chalk cellars. On its side, Nicolas Feuillatte is the youngest of all the major Champagne Houses and the largest wine growers’ brand, with its state-of-the-art flagship estate located on the hillsides of the Côte des Blancs.