Canned Wine Group: Acquisition boosts draught wine offer

By Oliver Catchpole

Published: 20 October, 2026

Alternative packaging business the Canned Wine Group has announced its acquisition of New Theory – a South African low-intervention wine brand.

Through the takeover, the Group aims to strengthen its keykeg draught wine offering, targeting what it called “rapidly growing demand for sustainable draught wine solutions in the on-trade”.

New Theory was founded in 2021 by brothers Charles and Thom Bradley with the goal of making small-batch, natural wine more accessible. With their product sourced from South African winemakers, the brand quickly gained a following in London for its blended wines Love Bite and White Lies.

Read more: London Wine Fair unveils new natural wine event

The Bradley brothers join Canned Wine Group as minority shareholders in the deal – allowing them to shape the next phase of the brand’s growth.

Charles Bradley explained: “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.”

The Group said that the acquisition comes at a “transformative” moment for sustainability in the UK hospitality sector, with wine on tap delivering an efficient service for venues that continue to see rising operational costs.

According to the company, draught systems can help to eliminate cork taint, prevent bottle waste and deliver predictable margins for high-turnover locations.

At the same time, consumer demand for transparent, minimal-intervention wines continues to grow, and particularly among younger demographics.

Commenting on the acquisition, Ben Franks, the CEO of Canned Wine Group, said: “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.

“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.”

Founded by Franks and Simon Rollings in 2019, the Canned Wine Group continues to expand its range of brands. New Theory joins the company’s flagship Canned Wine Co. range, along with The Copper Crew’s organic Italian wines.

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