Champagne Bollinger Owner Takes Over Burgundy House

Julia Mann
Posted: October 11, 1999

The Burgundian house of Chanson Pere & Fils will celebrate its 250th anniversary with a new owner: Societe Jacques Bollinger. The French company, which owns Champagne Bollinger and Chateau Langlois in the Loire Valley, bought Chanson on Sept. 10. The purchase price was not disclosed.

"We wanted to establish ourselves in another great wine region other than Champagne or the Loire," said Arnaud d'Hautefeuille, CEO of Societe Jacques Bollinger. "We felt that there were certain points in common between the region of Champagne and Burgundy, such as a similar climate and the same grape varieties. It was an opportunity to be seized."

Since its creation, in 1750, Chanson Pere & Fils has acquired 88 acres of vineyards around Beaune -- including Clos des Feves, Clos des Mouches and Bressandes -- and in the villages of Savigny-les-Beaune and Pernand-Vergelesses.

Chanson's family board decided to sell its entire stake this year. The house has been managed since 1966 by two brothers, Francois and Philippe Marion, who will remain at the company for a short transition period into 2000.

D'Hautefeuille said Bollinger "will bring a new angle to Chanson -- not in terms of winemaking, as we need to learn about Burgundy -- but in terms of international marketing and in developing the identity of the house."

Check out recent ratings of Chanson, Bollinger and Langlois wines.

To learn more about Bollinger:

May 31, 1998
Champagne Uncorked