Eurostar Bordeaux
Bordeaux's Place de la Bourse.
(Image credit: www.eurostar.com)

Francis Ford Coppola has decided to give international distribution rights for his Inglenook Napa wines to three Bordeaux négociants.

Coppola, of Godfather fame and the owner of Inglenook in Napa Valley, said that Inglenook wines would be represented internationally by the CVBG, Duclot and Maison Joanne négociant houses.

It’s a move that increases the sense of Bordeaux négociants looking beyond their own region for wines to distribute.

Inglenook joins a number of other non-Bordeaux wines to be distributed via the city’s well-known ‘Place’, including Masseto, Opus One and Seña.

Film director Coppola said, ‘Inglenook already enjoys a prominent reputation internationally, but working with these three prestigious négociants will significantly increase Inglenook’s international exposure.’

Inglenook said that it would continue working with other distributors throughout North America and Central America.

Speaking to Decanter’s Jane Anson last year, Ariane Kaida, the head of Duclot, said that the growth of non-Bordeaux wines on the Place was a thing to be cherished.

‘The way international wines work with the Place de Bordeaux has been hugely instructive I believe. Some châteaux and négociants resisted it at first, but the benefits are clear now, and it has been informative for all sides.’

See also: Pichon Baron owner to make Napa Cabernet

Chris Mercer
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.