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Maison Louis Latour appoints new execs to bolster team

28 March 2024 By Arabella Mileham

Burgundian winemaker Maison Louis Latour has appointed a new vice president, the 12th generation member of the Latour family, as well as a new vice president of its US subsidiary, as the business moves into the next generation.

The house has named its new vice president as Eléonore Latour, a 12th generation member of the the Latour family and the first female member of the family to join the business. Prior to joining operation, she studied commercial law at Paris-Dauphine, but her appointment follows that of her father, Louis-Fabrice Latour, who served as CEO of Louis Latour from 1999 until his death in 2022, and who significantly expanded the company’s operations. She will report to Florent Latour, CEO of Maison Louis Latour, and Louis-Fabrice’s brother.

It has also appointed Francois Beall as vice president of sales at its wholly owned US subsidiary, Louis Latour Inc., with responsibility for overseeing Louis Latour’s US sales and marketing staff, based in San Rafael, California. He brings two decades of experience in the US wine industry with a focus on European wines, having joined the company from Southern California’s Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants, which represents Burgundy producers including Domaine Dujac, Bonneau Du Martray and Comte George De Vogue. Prior to that, he spent several years at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, where he managed the company’s Luxury portfolio for the Southern California market.

He described his new role as “truly a dream job for me”, adding that “Louis Latour is a representation of what Burgundy does best, with great Burgundy wines for every occasion and everyday enjoyment and the infrastructure to deliver for customers across the US market.”

Although he will report to Florent Latour, Beall will initially work alongside Bernard Retornaz, the president of US-based Louis Latour Inc, who established Louis Latour’s US import and sales organization more than 30 years ago. However Retornaz will retire from his US-role at the end of the year, when he will become vice chairman of the Groupe Latour Advisory Board.

“I cannot think of a finer executive than Francois to carry forward what we’ve built in the US, knowing Burgundy and understanding the US industry and wine consumer from over two decades here,” Retornaz added. “And having known her for many years, it is with tremendous pride to see Eléonore join Florent in their family business. Louis Latour is in fine hands for many years to come.”

Florent Latour said the two appointees represented the next generation, “bringing a fresh perspective on how people enjoy wine today as well as a deep understanding of our company and industry.”