Goedhuis & Co and Waddesdon Wine have signed an agreement to merge, becoming Goedhuis Waddesdon Limited.
Both companies will initially continue to trade under their existing names while the two businesses are fully integrated.
Goedhuis & Co is a multi-award-winning fine wine merchant with over four decades of experience.
Waddesdon Wine, a subsidiary of the Rothschild Foundation, represents wines from Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite and Edmond de Rothschild Heritage exclusively within the UK. Waddesdon Wine also represents Hundred Acre and collaborates closely with esteemed wineries including Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Baron Arques as well as Henri Bourgeois and Penfolds.
Waddesdon Wine has marketed these prestigious wines to trade clients, premium retailers, Mayfair restaurants and hotels, and national restaurant groups over the last two decades. Customers include Harrods, Selfridges, Waitrose Cellar and Marks & Spencer.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild will retain a minority shareholding in the newly merged Goedhuis Waddesdon Limited. Saskia de Rothschild, chairwoman of Lafite, said: “We’ve long admired the integrity and buying knowledge of the Goedhuis & Co team. Bringing the two companies together is an excellent long-term move.”
Johnny Goedhuis, who founded Goedhuis & Co in 1981, will serve as chairman and ambassador of the new company.
Johnny Goedhuis said: “This is a hugely exciting merger between two great companies. Both Goedhuis and Waddesdon share an ethos of delivering the highest level of service to sell the best wines at every price point.
“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. We are delighted to be joining forces with their great team and look forward to a shared future as a thrilling home for premium wineries and their clients.”
Lord Rothschild added: “We are pleased to unite Goedhuis & Co with Waddesdon Wine as their impressive private client business and the unrivalled experience of the Goedhuis & Co team will be a perfect partner to Waddesdon Wine’s deep understanding of Rothschild wines.
“Waddesdon Wine, based at Waddesdon Manor and in London offers great wines to a wide market. This venture marks a new chapter for Waddesdon as well as complementing its newly refurbished wine cellars.”
