Global wine data platform Wine-Searcher has been acquired by GLX U.S. Inc., a company controlled by European billionaire Olivier Goudet, who has also quietly emerged as one of the largest individual shareholders in Australian wine giant Treasury Wine Estates, owner of the Penfolds brand.
GLX, headquartered in New York, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Platin Sàrl, the Goudet family’s investment vehicle.
Despite the acquisition by a U.S.-based company, Wine-Searcher said it will continue operating from its Auckland headquarters in New Zealand while retaining its UK office. The company added that future growth efforts will focus heavily on the United States and other key international markets.
“We are excited to be starting this new chapter with GLX and to continue supporting businesses across the wine industry,” said Julian Perry, CEO of Wine-Searcher.
Grégory Andre, senior partner at GLX, described Wine-Searcher as “the undisputed leader in the wine data industry,” adding that the company plans to accelerate expansion in the U.S. market.
“We look forward to providing the capital and strategic focus necessary to scale the business further, with a particular emphasis on expansion in the critical U.S. market and other key international markets,” Andre said.
Billionaire Investor Deepens Wine Industry Bet
The acquisition also highlights Olivier Goudet’s growing interest in the global wine industry.
Best known as a co-founder of private investment giant JAB Holdings BV, Goudet spent 12 years as the group’s CEO before transitioning into a senior investment adviser role last year.
JAB controls or holds stakes in several major global consumer brands, including Dr Pepper, Krispy Kreme and Panera Bread.
In recent years, however, Goudet has increasingly expanded his presence in the wine sector.
Public filings show he first began building a position in Treasury Wine Estates in October 2025. After several rounds of share purchases, he now controls roughly 5.05% of the company, equivalent to around 41 million shares.
That stake places him among Treasury Wine Estates’ top five shareholders and makes him the company’s largest individual shareholder outside institutional investors, custodians and nominee entities.
Notably, Goudet continued increasing his holdings during a difficult period for Treasury Wine Estates, as the company faced pressure both operationally and in financial markets. His investment has therefore been widely viewed as a long-term, contrarian bet on the global wine sector.
Beyond financial investments, Goudet and his family also own physical wine assets. Public records show he acquired Château Charmail, a Bordeaux estate in the Haut-Médoc appellation with established vineyard holdings and production facilities.
Taken together, Goudet’s continued accumulation of Treasury Wine Estates shares and the acquisition of Wine-Searcher suggest a steadily expanding commitment to the global wine business.
Under GLX ownership, Wine-Searcher said it plans to further strengthen its use of artificial intelligence technologies while continuing to expand its position in global wine and drinks data services.
The company added that it remains committed to connecting consumers, producers, retailers and wine enthusiasts more closely with the wines and spirits they enjoy.
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