N&Q: Family feud at winemaker might lead to sale…

Freixenet, the Spanish family-controlled sparkling wine maker, is one step closer to being sold after members of the controlling family have failed to reach a financial deal to keep it in family ownership, according to reports in the Spanish press. Three branches of the original owners of Freixenet control the group but have recently disagreed on strategy, with some family members wanting to sell their stake to the German maker of sparkling wine, Henkell & Co. Henkell is owned by the huge Germany family business, Dr. Oetker. The recent failure of one branch of the family to raise the finances to keep it under their control is likely to have brought the sale to Henkell a step closer, although no agreement among the shareholders has been reached.