Majestic acquires Enotria & Coe

Majestic has entered into a formal agreement to acquire Enotria & Coe, one of the UK’s leading premium wine and spirits distributors, asserting its aim to become the country’s "pre-eminent supplier to the on-trade". The deal brings together two well-regarded players in the UK wine and spirits landscape and marks a notable moment in the evolution of the specialist drinks sector. Both Enotria & Coe and Majestic Commercial — Majestic’s existing B2B division — will continue to operate as standalone businesses. Founded in 1972 by Remo Nardone as Enotria Wines, Enotria & Coe has grown into one of the most respected distributors of premium wines and spirits in the country. With over 300 producers in its portfolio — including more than 200 on exclusive agency terms — it counts Gaucho, Rick Stein, Hotel du Vin/Malmaison, Bancone and L’Enclume among its blue-chip hospitality clients. The company has grown consistently over the past two decades, through acquisitions such as Wheeler Cellars (2008), Great Western Wine (2010, now trading as The Great Wine Co) and Coe Vintners (2015).

Strategic fit and cultural alignment

Majestic’s acquisition is expected to bolster its presence in the on-trade, a segment where its commercial division has already recorded double-digit growth for three consecutive years. The addition of Enotria & Coe’s premium-focused offer is intended to strengthen both capability and proposition — creating what Majestic calls a “best-in-class, differentiated service and product proposition”. While the two entities will remain operationally distinct, there is an intention to explore complementary logistics models to enhance service to the trade. For instance, some Enotria & Coe customers could benefit from fulfilment via Majestic’s nationwide retail store network — each equipped with its own delivery fleet — while selected Majestic Commercial accounts may be better served by Enotria & Coe’s centralised distribution capabilities. Any such integration would be designed to improve efficiency and support tailored service for individual customers. Crucially, relationships with producers are expected to remain unchanged. Both companies will continue to manage their supplier bases independently, retaining existing key contacts and safeguarding the integrity of their portfolios. The breadth and exclusivity of Enotria & Coe’s producer relationships form a central part of the acquisition rationale and will be protected accordingly. The team at Enotria & Coe is also viewed as integral to the future of the combined group. Their experience, depth of trade knowledge and long-standing customer relationships are seen as core assets and the existing leadership is expected to remain in place to help drive the next phase of growth. John Colley, CEO of Majestic, commented:

“We are pleased to have entered into a formal agreement to acquire Enotria & Coe. It is a business we have competed against and admired for a long time, with a quality proposition and cultural values that align very closely with what we already do at Majestic. We believe this is a compelling strategic combination and can see huge potential to further enhance Enotria’s proposition and profitability as part of the Majestic group.”

Julian Momen, CEO of Enotria & Coe, added:

“This combination is fantastic news for Enotria & Coe colleagues, customers, our business and our future growth ambitions. From the initial approach and subsequent discussions with Majestic, it has been obvious to me that there is much to admire in their business and their growth. More importantly, we have a similar business ethos, and our behaviours and focus on people means that we are fully aligned on building a successful business together for the benefit of customers and suppliers.”

Complementary strengths and future investment

Since being acquired by Fortress Investment Group in December 2019, Majestic has renewed its commercial focus and sharpened its strategic priorities, with the commercial division now the fastest-growing area of the business. In 2024, Majestic Commercial was named On-Trade Supplier of the Year at The Drinks Business Awards — a recognition of its growing stature in the UK trade. The acquisition is expected to unlock new opportunities for investment in technology, people and service, with both businesses continuing to serve their distinct customer bases under their existing names. Full details of the agreement remain subject to completion, which is anticipated in the coming weeks.