Henkell Freixenet Bets On Growth Segments To Reignite Sparkling Wine

The headquarters of Henkell Freixenet in Hesse, Wiesbaden. Photo: Andreas Arnold/dpa (Photo by Andreas Arnold/picture alliance via Getty Images)

dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Germany-based drinks producer, Henkell Freixenet, had a flat 2025 as revenue grew by just 0.5%—but showing stability given a contracting global market for wines and sparkling wines. With economic and structural challenges continuing to shape 2026 the company said the year “will also be demanding as developments in the first few months of the year have already shown.”

Revenue in 2025 reached €1.25 billion ($1.46 billion) in what the company called “a challenging market with declining performance in some segments and significant currency effects.” Despite this, the market leader in sparkling wine held its ground and saw its Mionetto brand outpace growth in the prosecco market.

Also helping has been a drive to internationalize, with the opening of three new subsidiaries in Argentina, Croatia, and Ireland last year. Currently, the group’s revenue is led by Western Europe with 32%; DACH, or German-speaking Europe with 27%; the Americas (21%), and Eastern Europe (18%); with Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world accounting for 2%.

Andreas Brokemper, CEO of Henkell Freixenet, said in a statement: “The global sparkling wine and wine market declined in 2025, yet certain sub-segments—including prosecco, crémant, non-alcoholic sparkling wines, and aperitifs—grew. We strengthened our core brands and introduced innovations, particularly in non-alcoholic sparkling wines. This allowed us to gain market share.”

However, the company—the drinks arm of the diversified family‑owned Oetker Group with a luxury hotels division that includes Le Bristol Paris, Hotel du Cap‑Eden‑Roc, and The Lanesborough in London—said that sales of its biggest brand declined.

Freixenet, the world’s leading sparkling wine brand, contracted by 4% in revenue, mainly due to a weaker cava segment, offset to a degree by gains in prosecco and Italian rosé. The company noted that the drought of recent years in the Penedès region of Spain significantly impacted cava production while the tariff situation in the U.S. also affected the cava business.

Rainfall returns—a hopeful sign

“The good news is that rainfall has increased again and the conditions for the 2026 harvest are favorable, even though it is still likely to remain below the long-term average,” said Brokemper. Despite a strained global economy and cautious consumer spending, Henkell Freixenet sees growth opportunities for cava produced using the traditional method—as used for champagne—as a high-quality, lower-cost alternative.

Focus will remain on sparkling growth segments like prosecco where the market grew by 2%, according to the Prosecco Consortium (April 2026). “Mionetto, the world’s best-selling international prosecco brand, grew faster at 3%, and the brand’s expansion into the aperitivo segment developed positively,” said Brokemper. Mionetto Aperitivo has been launched in more than 15 countries in two years.

Another growth driver in the sparkling wine market last year was the emerging crémant category, with global sales increasing by 7.5% in 2025 (source: FNPEC, 2026). With Henkell Freixenet’s own crémant brand Gratien Meyer growing by 14% last year, driven by demand in markets such as France, Germany, and the U.K., the company is optimistic about its future. It recently relaunched Gratien Meyer to further strengthen the brand’s visibility.

Leaning into non-alcoholic lines

Another expansion area is non-alcoholic products where demand is on the rise among younger, health-conscious consumer groups. Mindful alcohol consumption is no longer a niche trend but evolving into a relevant segment with growth potential, according to IWSR.

Henkell Freixenet’s no/low products began appearing two years ago with Mionetto, followed by Freixenet’s Cordon Negro 0.0%. The no/low portfolio saw 18% growth last year in all regions. Brokemper said that this segment “will play an important role for the company” alongside core alcoholic products. He added: “We view the category as complementary to our existing portfolio. With our numerous non-alcoholic innovations, such as the Freixenet Diamond Range 0.0% and non-alcoholic aperitivo variants, we consider ourselves very well positioned.”

Specifically in the United States, Henkell Freixenet’s second-largest market, a partnership with sparkling wine house Korbel, has allowed the German company to strengthen its position there having taken responsibility for Korbel’s global sales, marketing, and distribution since July 1, 2025. “We expect subdued consumption due to tariff policies and the resulting price increases, but we have a strong portfolio with Mionetto, Freixenet, Segura Viudas—and now Korbel as well,” said Brokemper.