domaine prieur-brunet, jadot
Domaine Prieur-Brunet is one of Santenay's best-known producers.
(Image credit: Prieur-Brunet)

Maison Louis Jadot has announced the acquisition of Santenay’s Domaine Prieur-Brunet.

Louis Jadot confirmed to Decanter.com on Thursday 20 July that it has bought Prieur-Brunet. It did not disclose a fee.

The purchase adds 18 hectares of prime Côte de Beaune vineyards to the Jadot portfolio in Burgundy, including top premier crus in Santenay, Chassagne-Montrachet, Meursault, Volnay, Pommard and Beaune, as well as a parcel of old vines in grand cru Bâtard-Montrachet.

Domaine Prieur-Brunet’s history began when two Prieur brothers settled in Santenay in 1804. Their descendant Guy Prieur married Elizabeth Brunet, from an old Meursault family, in the mid-twentieth century.

The Domaine’s wines have enjoyed a loyal following among private clients and restaurants, reputedly being a longtime favorite of the French diplomatic service. Today, Dominique Prieur and her son Gillaume run the estate, representing the eighth generation.

The sale is only the latest investment in Santenay. In October 2015, Ken and Grace Evenstad of Domaine Serene in Oregon purchased the 10-hectare Château de la Crée.

The recent sale of some of the Domaine Vincent Giardin’s Santenay holdings has also brought new blood to the commune. With top producers from the north such as Pierre-Yves Collin and Hubert Lamy rubbing shoulders with local talent such as Jean-Marc and Anne-Marie Vincent, once-overlooked Santenay is experiencing a renaissance.

It’s also another important Côte de Beaune acquisition for Jadot, who in 2012 acquired the Château du Chorey’s 17 hectares of vineyards focused in the appellations of Beaune, Chorey-lès-Beaune and Pernand-Vergelesses.

As more and more growers opt to estate-bottle and the market for top-quality grapes becomes more competitive, Burgundy’s négociant houses are increasingly acquiring their own vineyards—a trend Jadot has been leading for decades.

domaine de nalys, guigal

Domaine de Nalys is in new hands.
(Image credit: DomainedeNalys.com)

Guigal buys Châteauneuf-du-Pape winery Nalys

Famous Rhône producer breaks new ground in Châteauneuf-du-Pape...

clos rougeard, loire

Clos Rougeard is one of the Loire's best known names.
(Image credit: Domaine LA / domainela.com)

Clos Rougeard sold to French billionaire Bouygues brothers

Château Montrose owners buy cult Loire estate...

Wine gala dinner

Domaine Bonneau du Martray, Corton Charlemagne Grand-Cru 2007 (magnum) being poured for diners.
(Image credit: Cath Lowe / Decanter)

Bonneau du Martray sold to Screaming Eagle and Arsenal owner

Stan Kroenke buys majority stake in famed Burgundy estate...

biondi santi, brunello di montalcino

(Image credit: Franco Biondi Santi)

Biondi Santi sale to Charles Heidsieck Champagne owner took six months

EPI Group buys majority stake in Brunello di Montalcino maker...

Schrader sale to Constellation

Schrader wines
(Image credit: schradercellars.com/)

Schrader sale to Constellation: Why no one should be surprised

Part of a larger acquisition trend in US wine...

William Kelley
William Kelley
Decanter Magazine, Decanter Premium, Burgundy & North America Expert

William Kelley is a wine critic who specialises in Burgundy and the US. He became Decanter’s North America correspondent in 2015 and also reviewed the 2015/2016 Burgundy vintages.

In addition, he has contributed to other publications such as Noble Rot and he currently reviews Burgundy, California and Washington State wines for The Wine Advocate.

In 2016 and 2017 he was shortlisted for the Emerging Wine Writer of the Year Award.