Cave de Sancerre invests in South of France property

n what is being described as a first for a French co-operative winery, Cave de Sancerre has acquired Domaine de Petit Roubié, a family-run estate located in the Hérault department of southern France. The estate is best known for its production of AOP Picpoul de Pinet, along with a selection of PGI Pays d’Oc, Pays de l’Hérault and Vins de France wines.

Speaking at a press conference in Paris on June 19, Vincent Creton, managing director of Cave de Sancerre, called the property “a real gem,” and said the acquisition aligns with the co-operative’s ambition to become a touchstone for French white wines. Although the purchase price remains undisclosed, Creton confirmed that the deal was entirely self-financed and that the co-operative paid “the right price.”

Cave de Sancerre is the only co-operative in the Sancerre appellation and its largest producer. However, opportunities for expansion within the appellation are extremely limited due to the scarcity of available vineyards. “That’s why we turned to external growth,” Creton explained. This led to the identification of Petit Roubié, a 75-hectare estate with 34 hectares of organically certified AOP Picpoul vines.

The estate’s founder, Olivier Azan, who is planning to retire, sought a buyer who would preserve the estate’s integrity and values. Cave de Sancerre’s commitment to maintaining the property’s authenticity was key to the agreement.

“Petit Roubié is a financially sound business,” noted Creton. “In a way, Picpoul is the Sancerre of the South – an appellation with strong appeal, competitive pricing and similar markets.”