Château de La Rivière, a noted Bordeaux winery, has been acquired by Global Food Investments.
In a significant move, Luxembourg-based private equity fund Global Food Investments (GFI), managed by the Signet Group, has ventured into the wine sector by acquiring Château de La Rivière in Bordeaux's Fronsac region. The acquisition, finalized in July 2025 after six months of negotiations, marks GFI's first foray into the world of viticulture.
Covering a sprawling 100 hectares, with 65 under vine, Château de La Rivière is a notable wine tourism destination, producing Merlot-driven reds, Sauvignon-based whites, and rosés. The estate boasts extensive underground cellars holding over 700,000 bottles, adding to its allure.
GFI, with its focus on food, beverage, and agriculture investments in Europe, benefits from Signet’s international network in major financial centers like London, Zurich, Limassol, and Abu Dhabi. The new owners aim to modernize production and increase sales of Fronsac wines, while preserving the château's cultural heritage.
The acquisition ends a decade of ownership by the Chinese Bolian Group (2013–2025), with GFI expressing gratitude to the previous owner, Madame Lau, for her stewardship. Legal advisory for the acquisition was provided by Couderc Dinh & Associés, signaling a well-structured transaction on the legal front.
Sébastien Long has been appointed president of Château de La Rivière by Signet. Long plans to reorganize the wine range and invest in vineyard and winery upgrades to improve quality. The estate attracts 20,000 to 30,000 visitors annually, a testament to its popularity.
The acquisition positions GFI to enter the wine industry with a focus on high-quality, culturally significant estates, leveraging wine tourism and development potential in Bordeaux’s emerging markets. Signet has expressed its commitment to preserving the château's cultural heritage while enhancing operations at the estate.
Tragically, the estate's recent ownership history has been affected by two air crashes. In 2002, the estate's then-owner, Jean Leprince, died in a plane crash near the estate. In 2013, a helicopter crash claimed the lives of the estate's former owner, James Grégoire, and others who had recently agreed to purchase the property. Despite these setbacks, GFI is optimistic about the future of Château de La Rivière.
Xavier Buffo, the previous director of Château de La Rivière, supports the transition to new investors. Buffo believes that GFI's long-term vision and resources will enable the estate to thrive and grow. The new investors are confident that they can build upon the strong foundation laid by previous management and take the estate to new heights.
[1] Global Food Investments Press Release, July 2025 [2] Bordeaux Wine Tribune, July 2025 [3] Signet Group Annual Report, 2025 [4] Couderc Dinh & Associés Press Release, July 2025 [5] Madame Lau Personal Statement, July 2025
The acquisition of Château de La Rivière by Global Food Investments (GFI), managed by the Signet Group, signifies their foray into the wine sector, expanding their business interests beyond food and agriculture investments in Europe. GFI, with its newfound position in the wine industry, aims to invest in vineyard and winery upgrades, focusing on high-quality, culturally significant estates for improved financial returns and wine tourism potential.
The new owners of Château de La Rivière, GFI, aren't just interested in investing financially; they also aim to modernize production, increase sales of Fronsac wines, and preserve the château's cultural heritage. This approach aligns with GFI's commitment to investing in businesses that contribute positively to lifestyle and community, extending beyond food-and-drink investments.
