Andre Lurton sells Chateau Dauzac stake

1855 Chateaux

(Image credit: 1855 Chateaux)

One of Bordeaux's largest wine groups, Vignobles Andre Lurton, has sold its 42% stake in Margaux fifth growth Chateau Dauzac.

Insurance company MAIF has bought Vignobles Andre Lurton‘s shareholding to give it 100% ownership of the 120-hectare estate (pictured), which has 45 hectares of vines.

A fee was not disclosed for the deal, which was completed on 18 April but only announced publicly this week. ‘MAIF is now in sole management,’ the companies said.

Vignobles Andre Lurton has been managing Chateau Dauzac and overseeing winemaking there since 1992.

During that time, both firms said that Vignobles Andre Lurton and technical director Philippe Roux have implemented ‘important work’ in the vineyards and in winemaking processes. They installed a new chai, incorporating a gravity system, around a decade ago.

Andre Lurton continues to own around 600ha of vineyards in Bordeaux.

In 2012, the group sold 18% of its business to Credit Agricole Grands Crus. The move was seen as an attempt to assuage family succession issues, with Andre Lurton himself turning 90 this year.

Written by Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.

He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.

Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.

Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.