In a move that signals a significant realignment within the United Kingdom’s premium wine distribution sector, the Italian food and beverage powerhouse Compagnia del Gusto Holding (CDGH) has officially announced the acquisition of Jascots Wine Merchants from Freixenet Copestick. The deal, confirmed this morning, marks a bold entry into the British market for the Italian holding company and represents a new era for Jascots, one of the UK’s most respected suppliers to the on-trade.

The transaction will see Compagnia del Gusto Holding assume full responsibility for Jascots’ administrative and sales operations through its dedicated UK subsidiary, CDGH UK. While the acquisition marks a change in ownership, both parties have emphasized a commitment to operational continuity, ensuring that the transition for employees and customers alike remains seamless.

The Strategic Vision: A Mediterranean Powerhouse in London

The acquisition is not merely a change of hands but a strategic maneuver by Compagnia del Gusto Holding to establish a robust "bridge" between Italian artisanal production and the sophisticated British hospitality sector. Founded by the influential Cosulich family in 2025, CDGH is a relatively new but aggressively growing entity. Its core philosophy revolves around the investment and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within the food and beverage space, specifically targeting what the company describes as "iconic brands and high-value-added niches."

The Italian holding company is structured into three distinct operational pillars, each of which is expected to play a role in the expanded Jascots portfolio:

1. Compagnia del Mare: Focused on high-end seafood and artisanal maritime specialties.
2. Compagnia delle Vigne: The group’s dedicated wine division, which manages a curated selection of Italian estates.
3. Compagnia dei Sapori: A regional food division encompassing everything from premium pasta and condiments to baked goods and artisanal desserts.

By acquiring Jascots, CDGH gains an established, high-performing distribution platform. The intention is to leverage Jascots’ existing network of restaurants, hotels, and caterers to introduce CDGH’s broader Italian portfolio to the UK market. This "food and wine" synergy is a cornerstone of the group’s ambition to reach a €200 million turnover within the next five years, a target recently highlighted by the Italian financial news outlet Il Sole 24 ORE.

Chronology: From 1986 to the CDGH Era

To understand the weight of this acquisition, one must look at the resilient and often turbulent history of Jascots Wine Merchants.

• 1986 – Founding: Jascots was established with a focus on sourcing exclusive wines for the London on-trade, quickly building a reputation for discovering "hidden gems" and providing exceptional service to sommeliers.
• The Pre-Pandemic Years: For over three decades, Jascots flourished, becoming a staple supplier for Michelin-starred restaurants and high-end gastropubs across the UK.
• March 2020 – The COVID-19 Crisis: The pandemic brought the UK hospitality sector to a standstill. Jascots reported that its sales plummeted from 85% of its normal business to zero almost overnight as the first lockdown was announced.
• December 2020 – The Freixenet Copestick Rescue: Facing "insurmountable" market conditions despite a valiant effort to pivot toward Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) sales, Jascots entered administration. It was subsequently rescued by Freixenet Copestick (the UK arm of Henkell Freixenet), which recognized the inherent value of the brand and its team.
• 2022 – The Great Recovery: Under the wing of Freixenet Copestick, Jascots saw a spectacular resurgence. In 2022, the company celebrated a "bumper year," with revenues surging by 84% as the London dining scene came roaring back to life.
• 2025 – The CDGH Acquisition: Following its successful stabilization and growth, Jascots is now transitioned to Compagnia del Gusto Holding to serve as the spearhead for the Italian group’s international expansion.

Supporting Data: The Value of the On-Trade Distribution

The acquisition is underpinned by Jascots’ impressive performance metrics and the strategic importance of the UK on-trade market. Despite economic headwinds, the demand for "premiumization"—consumers drinking less but choosing higher-quality bottles—remains a dominant trend in the UK.

Jascots’ success in 2022, where it recorded an 84% revenue increase, proved that its model of deep-rooted relationships with hospitality venues is highly scalable. For CDGH, acquiring an entity with an existing, loyal customer base is far more efficient than building a distribution network from scratch.

Furthermore, the deal includes a "strategic partnership" clause. Freixenet Copestick and CDGH will continue to collaborate, ensuring that Jascots retains access to key premium brands within the Henkell Freixenet portfolio. This includes:

• Bolney Wine Estate: A leader in the burgeoning English sparkling wine category.
• Champagne Alfred Gratien: A prestigious, artisanal Champagne house.
• Schloss Johannisberg: The legendary German Riesling producer.

By maintaining these ties, Jascots ensures it does not lose the international diversity that its customers value, even as it integrates a new wave of Italian specialties.

Official Responses: A Milestone for All Parties

The leadership teams of all three involved entities have expressed high confidence in the deal, framing it as a "win-win-win" for the buyer, the seller, and the merchant itself.

Omar Raafat, Head of Jascots, emphasized the growth potential:

"This is an exciting milestone for Jascots. It reflects our ambition to keep investing in our business, our customers, and our future. Being part of Compagnia del Gusto Holding provides us with the resources and the unique Italian portfolio to offer something truly special to our clients. The team and I are thrilled to be part of this next chapter."

Ettore Nicoletto, CEO of Compagnia del Gusto Holding, highlighted the strategic importance of the UK market:

"The UK remains a strategic priority for premium Italian wines and gourmet products. With the acquisition of Jascots, we gain a solid distribution platform, an experienced team, and deep expertise in the on-trade sector. This deal is a key milestone in our international growth strategy, and we look forward to bringing the best of our Italian divisions—from wine to artisanal food—to such a prestigious customer base."

Damian Clarke, Managing Director of Freixenet Copestick and CSO of Henkell Freixenet, reflected on the successful turnaround of the merchant:

"We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved with Jascots Wine Merchants since we stepped in during a very difficult period in 2020. We have seen the business return to strength and beyond. This acquisition by Compagnia del Gusto will further strengthen Jascots’ position in the UK on-trade market, and we look forward to continuing our close working relationship with the new owners."

Implications for the UK Wine and Food Industry

The acquisition of Jascots by a multifaceted Italian holding company like CDGH suggests several shifting trends in the UK hospitality supply chain:

1. The Rise of the "Lifestyle" Supplier

Traditionally, wine merchants and food wholesalers operated in separate silos. However, CDGH’s structure—spanning seafood, pasta, and wine—points toward a more holistic "Italian lifestyle" supply model. Restaurants may soon be able to source not just their wine list from Jascots, but also their premium olive oils, artisanal pastas, and desserts, streamlining logistics and ensuring consistent quality across the menu.

2. Continued Consolidation in the Middle Market

The journey of Jascots—from independent to being owned by a global giant (Henkell Freixenet) and now a specialized investment holding (CDGH)—reflects a broader trend of consolidation. In a post-Brexit, post-inflationary environment, the scale provided by a parent company is often necessary to navigate complex customs, logistics, and rising operational costs.

3. The Allure of the London On-Trade

Despite various economic challenges, London remains one of the world’s premier "shop windows" for luxury brands. For an Italian company like CDGH, having a direct line into the city’s top dining rooms is the most effective way to build brand equity for its "iconic" Italian SMEs.

4. Stability for Employees

In a move that will be welcomed by industry observers, the transaction confirms that all colleagues dedicated to the Jascots business will transition to the new company. In an industry often plagued by high turnover and post-acquisition restructuring, the emphasis on "supporting them responsibly" and "ensuring continuity" is a positive signal for the merchant’s internal culture.

Conclusion

As Jascots Wine Merchants prepares for its next portfolio tasting and its integration into the CDGH family, the message is clear: the company is no longer just a survivor of the 2020 crisis; it is a thriving platform for international expansion. For the UK’s restaurateurs and sommeliers, the acquisition promises a rejuvenated portfolio that blends the best of Jascots’ traditional international strengths with a new, high-octane injection of Italian gastronomic excellence.

Under the stewardship of the Cosulich family and the operational leadership of CDGH UK, Jascots is well-positioned to remain a cornerstone of the British on-trade for years to come.