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Bollinger Group makes a major acquisition in Burgundy

25 April 2023 By Patrick Schmitt

Bollinger has made a major acquisition in Burgundy that will see the group almost double its landholding in the region, where it owns Domaine Chanson.

Announced today, the Bollinger Group has bought 50 hectares of vineyards in the Côte Chalonnaise with the purchase of Château d’Etroyes, which is located within the Mercurey and Rully terroirs.

Speaking to the drinks business this morning, Justin Liddle, who is acting MD at Bollinger’s UK import and agency business, Mentzendorff, described the acquisition as “a significant step”, recording that Chanson’s current landholding is 78ha.

“It is not far off a doubling,” he said of the additional vineyard area following the purchase.

With Château d’Etroyes now in Bollinger’s stable, the group has taken on its first vineyards in the Chalonnaise, an area of Burgundy that’s becoming increasingly prized for its relative affordability compared to the vines, grapes and wines of the Côte d’Or.

Liddle explained that Bollinger wanted to buy land in the Chalonnaise to secure a supply of grapes for the long term, as well as ensure greater price stability.

“We want to secure availability and get price continuity,” he said, noting “very good demand” for the wines from this northerly area of Burgundy, with buyers increasingly picking up on the value for money represented by the wines of the Chalonnaise.

Having now completed the Château d’Etroyes acquisition, Liddle told db that the newly augmented supply of grapes will go towards producing wines under the Chanson brand.

“It will become part of the domaine,” he said of the 50 hectares.

The new estate will also be converted to organic viticultural practices from this year, with certification planned for the entire 50ha within five years.

The other 78ha of Domaine Chanson is either certified organic or in conversion, with the aim being for all of the producer’s own vineyards to be certified by 2028.

Founded in 1829, the Bollinger Group is a family-owned and independent group that comprises Champagne Bollinger, Champagne Ayala, Chanson in Burgundy, Langlois-Chateau in Saumur, Hubert Brochard in Sancerre, Ponzi Vineyards in Oregon, Cognac Delamain and Anaë Gin. The group also operates its own distribution platforms in two major markets: Bollinger Diffusion in France and Mentzendorff in the UK.

The group acquired Domaine Chanson in 1999.

The price paid by Bollinger for Château d’Etroyes has not been disclosed.

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