Canned Wine Group, the pioneering Bath-based UK wine business co-founded by Ben Franks and Simon Rollings, has announced its acquisition of New Theory, a popular South African low-intervention wine brand.
The acquisition will bolster Canned Wine Group’s premium keykeg draught wine offering, targeting the rapidly growing demand for sustainable draught wine solutions in the on-trade sector.
New Theory was founded in 2021 by brothers Charles and Thom Bradley with a mission to make small-batch, natural wine accessible without the typical performance or pretension. The wine is sourced from South African winemakers, and the brand quickly gained a cult following in London for its iconic blended wines Love Bite and White Lies.
The Bradley brothers will join Canned Wine Group as minority shareholders in the deal to help shape the next phase of the brand’s growth.
The acquisition comes at a transformative moment for the UK hospitality sector. Wine on tap delivers a modern, efficient service as venues combat rising operational costs. Draught systems eliminate cork taint, prevent bottle waste, and deliver predictable margins, offering a crucial lifeline for high-turnover bars and restaurants. Simultaneously, consumer demand for transparent, minimal-intervention wines continues to boom, particularly among younger demographics who prioritise authenticity and sustainability in production.
Ben Franks, CEO of Canned Wine Group, commented: “We’re determined to become a one-stop shop for customers in the UK looking for quality wines that solve real problems in hospitality. Vendors want better margins and customers deserve a better serve. I’m absolutely delighted to bring New Theory into our house of brands and welcome the Bradley brothers as shareholders. Natural and low intervention wines have boomed, especially in wine bars and specialists across the country, so it brings something new and innovative to our award-winning range.”
Franks continued: “I am particularly excited to grow our draught wine offering. Kegs are a great way to put the wine serve front and centre in your favourite bar and New Theory is going to look great on venues’ wine lists.”
Charles Bradley, co-founder of New Theory, commented: “After five years of growing New Theory, joining The Canned Wine Group feels like the perfect natural progression. We’ve built something truly special, and Canned Wine Group has the exact kind of energy and resources required to take the brand further and faster than ever before.”
New Theory is the latest addition to Canned Wine Group’s expanding house of brands, which already includes its flagship Canned Wine Co. range and The Copper Crew organic Italian wines. Canned Wine Group acquired competitor The Copper Crew in 2023, and the brand has since blossomed under the Group’s ownership, winning lucrative listings across travel retail, stadia, catering, and entertainment venues. By adding New Theory, Canned Wine Group is cementing its position as a versatile, multi-format supplier capable of providing hospitality venues with a comprehensive portfolio of both cans and kegs that meet modern drinking trends.
Visit cannedwine.group for more details.
