Château de La Rivière in Bordeaux sold to Global Food Investments after decade of Chinese ownership

Château de La Rivière, a prominent wine estate in Bordeaux’s Fronsac region, has been sold to Global Food Investments (GFI), marking the investment group’s first entry into the wine sector. The acquisition was announced on July 30 after six months of negotiations and speculation. The sale price has not been disclosed. This transaction ends more than a decade of ownership by the Chinese Bolian group, which acquired the property at the end of 2013.

The estate sits atop the limestone plateaux of Fronsac and covers 100 hectares, with 65 hectares planted with vines. Château de La Rivière is known for its Merlot-based red wines, Sauvignon-driven whites, and rosés. Its extensive underground cellars, spanning eight hectares and storing over 700,000 bottles, have made it a popular destination for wine tourism, attracting between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors each year.

GFI is supported by Signet’s international network, which includes offices in London, Zurich, Limassol, and Abu Dhabi. The group specializes in investments in food, beverage, and agriculture across European markets. In a statement released to Decanter magazine, Signet emphasized its intention to preserve the cultural heritage of Château de La Rivière while modernizing operations and increasing sales of its Fronsac wines. The company also thanked Madame Lau of the Bolian group for her stewardship during her tenure as owner.

Sébastien Long has been appointed president of the estate by Signet. Long previously worked with Treasury Wine Estates and brings experience from managing properties in Bordeaux’s Médoc region. He expressed enthusiasm for his new role and confidence in Bordeaux’s wine industry despite current challenges. Long outlined plans to reorganize the estate’s wine portfolio and invest in upgrades to both vineyards and winemaking facilities to further improve quality.

Xavier Buffo, who has served as director of Château de La Rivière for many years, welcomed the new ownership. He noted that GFI’s involvement brings new energy and resources that will help modernize production methods and accelerate sales growth.

Château de La Rivière has a long history dating back centuries but has faced tragedy in recent decades. In 2002, then-owner Jean Leprince died in a plane crash near the estate. In 2013, James Grégoire, who had just agreed to sell the property to Lam Kok of the Bolian group, died alongside Lam Kok in a helicopter crash on the estate grounds. Lam Kok’s son and interpreter also lost their lives in the accident.

With this acquisition, GFI signals its ambition to build a prestigious portfolio in viticulture while maintaining respect for the estate’s legacy. The transition is expected to bring significant changes aimed at strengthening Château de La Rivière’s position within Bordeaux’s competitive wine market.