Maxwell-Storrie-Baynes, Exclusive Affiliate of Christie's Great Estates, is Joined by Carla Vergeer to Head Up Cognac

Cognac, France—Maxwell-Storrie-Baynes, the Exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s Great Estates, the world’s leading luxury real estate network, has been joined by Carla Vergeer to strengthen their position as market leaders for fine homes and vineyards in the Cognac region. The firm recognizes the significance of the Cognac brand and sees it as a natural fit to its presence in the Bordeaux region. Wholly owned by Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, Christie’s Great Estates is represented in more than 40 countries. Carla Vergeer joins Maxwell-Storrie-Baynes as part of this carefully selected organization of brokerages with proven records of success in both high-end property sales and exemplary client service.

“Like Bordeaux, Cognac is a universally well-known name and brand – its history and association with quality demand outstanding representation in its real estate and vineyards. We are delighted to welcome Ms. Vergeer to our team; she is a perfect fit and we have every confidence in her ability to represent this important region with us, continuing the work started by Vicki Meddows-Smith,” says Doug Storrie, co-owner of Maxwell-Storrie-Baynes. 

Given the continuously growing global interest in wine and spirits, Christie’s welcomes the opportunity to strengthen ties with Cognac. Already a dominant force in the sale of the finest and rarest wines, Christie's sold US$50.4 million (€36.3 million) at auction in 2009 and held 15 wine sales in Europe alone.

“Cognac is one of those names that everybody knows, and increasingly it is a location sought after by discerning vineyard investors and those desiring to live among the beauty of its vines,” says Carla Vergeer. “Having lived here with my family for a few years now, it is an area that I am very enthusiastic to market to the world.”

Cognac is situated on the river Charente between the towns of Angouleme and Saintes, about 250 miles southwest of Paris. The majority of the town has been built on the river's left bank, while the smaller right bank area is known as the Saint Jacques district. The town gives its name to one of the world's best-known types of brandy or “eau de vie.”  Drinks must be made in certain areas around the town of Cognac and conform to strictly-defined regulations to be granted the name Cognac.

Cognac is a unique spirit in that it is double-distilled. The “Grande Marque” Cognac houses include Hennessey, Martell, Otard, Camus, and Remy Martin, to name a few. About 15 kilometers or 9.32 miles East of Cognac is Jarnac, home to Courvoisier. The region, while best known for its namesake drink, is blessed by stunning countryside with verdant rolling hills and an excellent climate with almost 2,250 hours of sunshine per year— second only to the Cote d’Azur in France.

There are six vineyard areas around the town of Cognac, all of which are considered Appellation Controlee for Cognac. These areas arguably vary in quality from the best growth area of “Grande Champagne” (nothing to do with the Champagne wine region in northeastern France), through ”Petite Champagne” and then “Borderies,” “Fine Bois,” “Bon Bois,” and finally “Bois Ordinaire.” The best Cognacs are generally made using Grande and Petite Champagne grapes, but all Cognac is produced by blending a variety of “Eau de Vie” which can be made from grapes from different locations, and from different vintages. It is the cellar master’s skill that ensures that a brand’s Cognac is recognizable regardless of when it is produced, since he can blend multiple eaux de vie to achieve the right taste for his house.

Together with Christie’s Great Estates, Maxwell-Storrie-Baynes provides world-class representation, advice, and marketing expertise for some of the most significant and famous names in wine real estate today.

(Pictured above: A Magnificent Cognac Château represented by Maxwell-Storrie-Baynes)