Significant Bordeaux Vineyard Estate Sells to Chinese Drinks and Real Estate Conglomerate

Maxwell-Storrie-Baynes, exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate in Bordeaux, has closed the sale of Château du Grand Moueys. The property was on the market for €5,950,000, plus stock of approximately €2,000,000. The sale included the château, its estate, the winemaking facilities and equipment, as well as the wine stock.

Maxwell-Storrie-Baynes, experts in Bordeaux vineyard real estate, have seen a large number of Chinese clients over the past 18 months. Château du Grand Moueys encompasses 170 hectares with 58.5 hectares of Première Côtes de Bordeaux vines producing red, rosé, and white wines. Annual production from the vineyard is up to 400,000 bottles, which until today were largely sold in Europe. The new owners expect only 10% of the product to remain in Europe and the rest to be exported to China. The new owners recognize the considerable opportunities presented by the estate, and will expand the business with an investment of over €4,000,000 in the coming years.

This magnificent 10 bedroom chateau was rebuilt in the neo classical style of the 19th century and can trace its historical roots back to the first century AD when a Gallo-Roman villa first occupied the hill top site. Originally built in 1740, the chateau was completely refurbished in the 1990s. The property has wonderful views over the surrounding countryside and is framed on both sides by its vineyards.

The buyer is the beverages, travel, hospitality, and real estate conglomerate, NingXia Group, which is based in Hong Kong and represented by its founder and President, Mr. Zhang. Distribution of the wine will be considerably enhanced due to the 300,000 outlets owned by the group throughout China.

"It has been exciting to work with the Chinese over the past few months. We constantly marvel at the size and scale of their distribution networks—something that I am sure is the envy of many European wine makers," says Karin Maxwell, co-owner of Maxwell-Storrie-Baynes.

The international nature of Bordeaux and its €14,500,000,000-per-year wine industry continues to attract buyers from all over the world, adding to the rich cultural tapestry that is Bordeaux’s history.

"The Chinese are contributing to a significant increase in vineyard activity. We expect to see more vineyard purchases from China during the year 2012, as their passion for Bordeaux wine continues unabated and they make the most of the historically low prices per hectare in the region," explains co-owner Michael Baynes.