Domaines Barons de Rothschild Ventures into Burgundy with Strategic William Fèvre Acquisition
Domaines Barons de Rothschild has recently acquired the esteemed Chablis estate, William Fèvre, adding it to their already impressive portfolio. After much speculation, the Bordeaux group has finally made this strategic move, solidifying their presence in the industry.
Last July, db reported that DBR had playfully suggested that William Fèvre’s commitment to sustainable development had lured the group towards this more northern region.
DBR’s foray into Burgundy begins with the acquisition of William Fèvre.
With vineyards spanning from Chablis village status to Grand Cru, William Fèvre embraces organic farming principles, aligning with DBR’s approach. All of the wine group’s estates are either organically certified or in the process of conversion.
“The spirit of the place and the team, deeply connected to the vineyards they care for, along with their meticulous commitment to organic and environmentally conscious viticulture, and their hands-off approach in the cellar, all perfectly resonate with our forward-thinking perspective,” stated Saskia de Rothschild.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to learn and progress alongside Didier Sèguier, the manager of Fèvre.”
Artémis Domaines has decided to part ways with the esteemed Chablis property, just over a year after acquiring it in 2022 through its merger with the Champagne Henriot group. In October 2023, the Champagne Henriot brand found a new home with the cooperative group Terroirs et Vignerons de Champagne (TEVC).
DBR is the proud owner of Château Lafite Rothschild, a magnificent estate located in the Médoc region. With over 1,200 hectares of vineyards, it is truly a sight to behold. In addition to its portfolio, it includes Bordeaux estates like Château Duhart-Milon, Rieussec, Château Paradis Casseuil, and Château L’Évangile, as well as the Languedoc-based Domaine d’Aussières. DBR’s international portfolio includes Viña Los Vascos in Chile, Bodegas Caro in Argentina, and Domaine de Long Dai in China. Quite the global empire!
DBR’s venture into Burgundy coincides with a resurgence of interest in the region on the secondary market. In this year’s Power 100 fine wine list, compiled by Liv-ex, it’s no surprise that Burgundy brands have made a significant impact. Four of the top 10 biggest risers on the list belong to this esteemed region. The climbers included Louis Latour, Hubert Lamy, Bruno Clair, and Domaine Fourrier.
