Freixenet Copestick (FXC) has struck a deal with Spanish alcoholic drinks group Zamora Company to distribute its wines in the UK.
The agreement will see the Spanish group's Ramón Bilbao, Mar de Frades and Cruz de Alba-wine brands being distributed by the sparkling wines major across on and off-trade locations.
London-headquartered supplier Enotria&Coe. previously managed distribution of the wines in the UK since 2017.
Rob Hilton, operations director at FXC, said the business was “excited to enter into this partnership with Zamora Company. We feel there are strong synergies across our respective businesses and believe we can help them grow their impressive wine portfolio.”
Reflecting on why Zamora made the switch to FXC, Jeremy Rockett, UK and Ireland area manager at Zamora Company said: “Freixenet Copestick are one of the top suppliers to the UK off-trade, which is where we are increasingly being seen; they also have an impressive on-trade presence, which is a crucial channel for our wines.
“They have the insight, tools and customer access we need, and we have the wines to support them, from Ramón Bilbao, and its sister brands Mar de Frades and Cruz de Alba, in the UK’s very sophisticated trading arena.”
He added that the move comes as the group 100-year-old brand Ramón Bilbao “seeks to reinforce its presence in key countries on the international market”.
The news follows on from FXC’s parent company, Henkell Freixenet, taking over the German distribution of Zamora’s spirits brands in October 2023.
It acquired the distribution rights from Schwarze & Schlichte, which had held a seven-year partnership with Zamora in the country.
Established in 1946, family-owned Zamora owns a range of spirits brands as well as wines. Its spirits labels include the Spanish liqueur Licor 43, Villa Massa limoncello, Yellow Rose Bourbon whiskeys, and Martin Miller’s Gin.
The Lolea sangria and spritz brand also sits under its wines portfolio but is not included in the UK distribution deal with FXC. The aperetifs are currently distributed nationwide by Indie Brands.
Zamora also distributes a number of brands, including Champagne Pommery, which is supplies to Spain and Gibraltar, and Buen Amigo, which it markets to Spain.
Last year, the group secured a distribution deal for the Panamanian brand Ron Abuelo, allowing it to sell the brand’s full range in Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and Gibraltar.
FXC evolved out of a merger of Freixenet and Copestick Murray in 2019. Its range of still and sparkling wines include I heart, Care for Wild, Freixenet and Mionetto.
Its products are sold via independent retailers, national specialist franchises, on-trade chains, restaurants wholesalers, as well as some private customers.
