News

Goedhuis & Co merges with Waddesdon Wine

03 November 2023 By Arabella Mileham

Fine wine merchant Goedhuis & Co and Rothschild distributor Waddesdon Wine are merging to form a “formidable” fine wine business, it has been announced.

(Image: Johnny Goedhuis, who will head up the new company. Credit: Mike Hopkins Photos)

The deal, which comes into immediate effect, will see the creation of a new company, Goedhuis Waddesdon. The firm forms 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 continue to trade under their existing names to ensure no disruption to clients or suppliers, it said. But 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”.

Waddesdon Wine, 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, on marketing to trade clients, retailers, and hospitality. Its customers also include Harrods, Selfridges, Waitrose Cellar and Marks & Spencer.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild will retain a minority shareholding in the newly merged Goedhuis Waddesdon Limited, it was also confirmed.

Saskia de Rothschild, chairwoman of Lafite said the company had “long admired the integrity and buying knowledge of the Goedhuis & Co team” and bringing the two companies together was “an excellent long-term move.”

Goedhuis & Co was founded in 1981 by Johnny Goedhuis, who will serve as chairman and ambassador of the new company.

Johnny Goedhuis said it was a “hugely exciting merger between two great companies” who shared an ethos “of delivering the highest level of service to sell the best wines at every price point.”

He said: “What makes this deal so special is the combination of Waddesdon’s extensive reach in the on-trade and their unique relationships with leading Bordeaux chateaux, with Goedhuis’ private client expertise and our extensive contacts in Burgundy and Italy.

“This creates a truly complementary business, ensuring all clients of Goedhuis Waddesdon benefit from an even broader range of wines of the very highest quality.”

Lord Rothschild added the impressive private client business and the unrivalled experience of the Goedhuis & Co team was “a perfect partner” to Waddesdon Wine’s “deep understanding of Rothschild wines”.

He said: “This venture marks a new chapter for Waddesdon as well as complementing its newly refurbished wine cellars.”

Goedhuis Waddesdon will have headquarters in London Bridge and at the Rothschild estate, Waddesdon Manor, which houses the largest collections of Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Mouton Rothschild outside of Bordeaux. Goedhuis also has fine wine storage in Octavian Corsham, through the newly acquired subsidiary Private Reserves Limited offers.