Market research
Languedoc wine producer Bonfils has acquired the James Herrick brand and vineyards from Foster's Group.
The French company confirmed the purchase, for an undisclosed sum, yesterday (4 February).
With the purchase, Bonfils gains 180 hectares of Chardonnay vineyards and the production facilities at Domaine de la Motte, near Narbonne. The company said it intends to consolidate vinification operations at the site "in due course".
"This is a very exciting time for us and we are really pleased to be taking on such a classic brand," said company chairman Laurent Bonfils. "With the world demand for Chardonnay still on the increase, there is a fantastic opportunity to bring the brand to a new audience."
The James Herrick brand has grown to reach sales of 120,000 cases globally, with the UK remaining a key development market. Bonfils, meanwhile, export over half of its annual production of 1.3m-cases to markets including Europe, the US, Asia and Russia.
The family-run Bonfils Group now controls over 1,050 hectares across 13 domaines in the Languedoc and one in the Bordeaux region. It also owns the Languedoc wine trading company Maurel Vedeau and organic wine producer Monfreux de Fages, based in the Herault region.
Sectors: Wine
