Grands Chais de France to Buy German Giant Zimmermann Graeff

The French market leader Les Grands Chais de France seems set take over the German winery Zimmermann Graeff & Müller (ZGM).

Reading time: 1m 15s

U.S. Consolidation Means Fewer Opportunities for Wineries

As distributors get bigger, they require brands with bigger volumes to service their markets. This will reduce opportunities for small-to-medium-sized wine producers. Liza B. Zimmerman reports.

Reading time: 4m

The Robert Nicholson Interview: US Investment in Bordeaux. More to Come?

Robert Nicholson, principal of International Wine Associates, advises on merger & acquisition in the wine industry. Most recently, he was involved in the purchase of Château Lascombes by the Lawrence Family. In this exclusive interview Nicholson frankly considers the likelihood of other US buyers buying French wine businesses.

Reading time: 7m 45s

Devil's Advocate - Bordeaux, Where the Rich Get Richer and the Poor Uproot Their Vines

Robert Joseph looks beyond the financially attractive top Grands Crus Classés, at the far less successful mass of Bordeaux and its sub-appellations where large swathes of vines are due to be uprooted.

Reading time: 5m

Lascombes gets a new US Owner, as a Predecessor Has Just Been Acquitted

Days before a US jury acquitted Tom Barrack, ex head of Colony Capital, former owners of Château Lascomes, of illegal foreign lobbying charges, the Margaux estate was acquired by another American, Gaylon Lawrence of  Lawrence Wine Estates. This is only the latest episode in the long, checkered history of a 2nd growth chateau that has had many memorable owners, none of whom have kept it for long.

Reading time: 7m 15s

Penfolds Moves Deeper Into Bordeaux

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (TWE) confirms the majority acquisition of Château Lanessan in the Haut-Médoc. The move doubles the Penfolds brand's production capacity in France.

Reading time: 1m 15s

Planeta's Latest Coup

Sicilian wine company Planeta is taking over the management and distribution of the Feudi Spitaleri winery on Mount Etna, with immediate effect. The winery cultivates 60ha of vineyards and is the oldest winery on the volcano - a legend that had almost fallen into oblivion.

Reading time: 1m 20s

Mega Merger Around Château Latour

It is probably the news of the year in the French wine world: Artémis Domaines, owned by the billionaire family of François Pinault (who also owns Château Latour), is merging with Maisons & Domaines Henriot, as international media report.

Reading time: 1m 20s

Gérard Bertrand Expands in South West France

The enterprising winemaker Gérard Bertrand from the Languedoc-Roussillon region has acquired the Domaine de Cause wine estate in the Lot district of the Occitan region. 

Reading time: 1m