London-based Coterie Group has acquired Links Concept Family Wine Merchants, one of Hong Kong’s leading independent fine wine importers. The transaction, announced on 13 November 2025 with terms undisclosed, gives Coterie its first physical presence in Asia.
Founded in 2000, Links Concept has championed family-owned producers across Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China, building a focused portfolio of prestigious estates. The company will continue to operate under its existing name and management team, ensuring continuity for producers and customers.
Established just 18 months ago, Coterie already combines the UK merchants Lay & Wheeler and Hallgarten & Novum Wines, bonded storage through Coterie Vaults, wine lending via Jera Wine, and superyacht supply with Global Wine Solutions. Adding Links Concept completes the group’s end-to-end ecosystem, covering procurement, storage, financing, logistics and distribution. It now operates seamlessly from London to Greater China.
Michael Saunders, CEO of Coterie Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Links Concept into the Coterie family. Their focus on quality, excellent producer portfolio and deep knowledge of the Hong Kong and China markets make them an ideal partner. This acquisition strengthens our international footprint and offers even greater opportunities for the family-owned wineries we represent.”
Alice de La Fuente Saez and Jermann Lai, director and managing director of Links Concept, added: “Joining Coterie gives us the resources and global reach to take our mission further while staying true to our values of quality and partnership.”
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The timing reflects broader pressures in Greater China. Mainland wine consumption has contracted sharply in recent years, while Hong Kong’s domestic market remains limited in scale. Many family-run importers also face generational succession challenges alongside tighter cash flow. For Links Concept, Coterie’s bonded warehousing and financing services provide practical solutions without sacrificing independence.
In a competitive field that includes established players such as ASC and Jebsen, the transaction is expected to accelerate consolidation among boutique agencies. Mid-tier family wineries stand to gain most: a genuine London–Hong Kong pipeline offering tax-efficient storage, accessible lending, and targeted distribution into Asia’s recovering connoisseur base.
Ultimately, this is more than a transaction; it is a bridge between Europe’s robust fine wine infrastructure and Asia’s resilient expansion engine. By connecting family estates to new resources and markets without losing their identity, Coterie has set a template that others will watch closely.
For now, raise a glass to strategic synergy — and to the family producers it empowers.
