Chinese investors fuels the Bordeaux property sale

As many as one third of Bordeaux’s wine estates are for sale, according to Yvon Mau managing director Philippe Laqueche.  

Highlighting the tough situation faced by the majority of producers in Bordeaux who fall below the classed growth tiers, Laqueche remarked: “people are retiring and the next generation don’t want to follow them.”

Alex Hall, director of Bordeaux property agent Vineyard Intelligence, added context to this statistic, saying: “There are 8,200 producers in Bordeaux – are one third of them on the market? I’m not sure. But in terms of people who, if they thought they could sell, would – yes, probably.”  

As for the recent flurry of purchases in the region by Chinese buyers in particular – 15 to-date – Hall expressed confidence that there remains “quite a lot more mileage” in this avenue.  

He also argued that such acquisitions from foreign, capital-rich investors were a good thing for the region, saying: “New owners are bringing in new markets. These guys are buying what other people wouldn’t be keen on buying. It’s difficult to make money at a certain economy of scale because of distribution.”  

However, pointing to the Chinese businessmen who are typically buying Bordeaux properties, many of whom have extensive contacts in their home country’s hospitality industry, Hall suggested that finding a market for their wines was: “the last thing they have to worry about.”