Thierry Merlet all-set to manage Villebois vineyards in Sancerre

ignobles Villebois combines three main properties – J. de Villebois, Fournier Père & Fils and Roc de l’Abbaye – along with Domaine de St-Romble, Domaine des Berthiers and Domaine Paul Corneau in several appellations spanning Touraine and Centre-Loire. Starting with the 2025 harvest, Thierry Merlet will now helm the company.

There have been several in-house changes and former sales director Merlet now takes over as managing director of the company founded by Joost de Willebois. He will be supported by two deputy managing directors Рwinemaker and technical manager Patrice Merceron who will run the operations side of the business and Fr̩d̩ric Jacquet, formerly in charge of Domaine Fournier P̬re & Fils, who will handle the development aspects.

With the position of sales director left vacant after Merlet’s promotion, the group’s former European market manager Gaspard Padet will step into the role. The group is certified Vignerons Engagés and distributes its wines in over 65 countries with Sancerre, Pouilly Fumé, Menetou-Salon, Touraine and Chenonceaux appellation wines as portfolio staples along with PGI Val de Loire.