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Copestick Murray acquires Free Run Wines

Under the deal, which was completed last Thursday (30 November, 2017), the Free Run Wines team will be fully integrated with the Copestick Murray team, with the integration taking place with immediate effect.

The acquisition of the Wiltshire-based business, which was established in 2001 and specializes in premium wines with an expertise in France, would “significantly add to Copestick’s growing portfolio”, said managing director, Robin Copestick, adding it formed part of an “exciting and ambitious” strategy.

“Free Run Wines has strengths with customers and supply areas and has during the past 12 years build up a fantastic business and some great relationships and we are really looking forward to working with them in the future,” he said.

Nicolas Bauer, director of Free Run Wines, said: “As soon as we started talking with Robin, the strategic fit between our businesses was evident and together we have ambitious plans for the future which will draw on these synergies.”

Free Run Wines, founded by Charles Elms and Nicolas Bauer, is anticipated to turnover £12m in 2017, according to the business, which has a wide customer base, including the UK and Ireland’s leading supermarkets, wholesalers, high street and specialist retailers.

In addition, Free Run Wines has strong partnerships with a large selection of wineries primarily based in France and Spain with a specialism in Champagne and sparkling wines.

On the third of November, Copestick Murray revealed it had bought a 40% share in The Slurp Wine Company, also for an undisclosed sum.

In a statement it said the aim of the new partnership was “to quickly establish Slurp as one of the most successful premium wine retailers in the UK”.

The deal saw Copestick Murray purchase the stake from wine retailer SH Jones, meaning that Slurp is now jointly owned by Copestick Murray, Richard Jones, Hugh Taylor and James Keef.

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