Burgundy grower and merchant Antonin Rodet has announced the acquisition of Maison Dufouleur Père et Fils in Nuits-Saint-Georges.
Dufouleur, a family business for more than 400 years, has been bought for an undisclosed amount.
‘This strategic acquisition is a major development in the history of Antonin Rodet,’ said Rodet chairman Philippe Vidal, in a statement, ‘and marks our return to the leading group of Burgundy wine houses.’
The acquisition covers the wine brokerage business and the 10.5ha Domaine Barbier estate, but not the Domaine Guy Dufouleur estate. That estate, however, has signed a contract to supply the new Rodet-Dufouleur Group.
In 2008, Mercurey-based Antonin Rodet – a subsidiary of Sequana Capital – will start selling the 2006 vintage from Maison Dufouleur.
In addition, Vidal announced that Le Clos de Thorey Monopole, a 3ha Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru estate, has joined forces with Antonin Rodet. The windy hillside vineyard faces east on the northern end of the Nuits-Saint-George region.
Rodet’s cellar master Nadine Gublin said she expects the 2006 Le Clos de Thorey to be a blockbuster, producing a ‘refined wine with very pure fruit.’
Other Rodet properties include the 30ha Domaine du Château de Rully and the 48ha Domaine du Château de Mercey.
Written by James Phillips
