Bordeaux Wine Syndicate Faces Leadership Deadlock Amid Dispute Over Voting Rules

The Bordeaux wine industry is facing a rare internal crisis after the regional AOC Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur syndicate failed to elect its executive board. The dispute centers on the definition of a relative majority following a surprise change in leadership, leaving the organization in a state of uncertainty.

On Monday, September 15, at Beychac-et-Caillau in Gironde, the board of directors for the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur appellations could not agree on the proposed executive team put forward by newly elected president Michel-Éric Jacquin. In the first round of voting, none of Jacquin’s candidates secured an absolute majority, with about 20 votes in favor and 30 against each candidate. The process stalled further when members could not agree on what constitutes a relative majority for a second round of voting—a situation rarely encountered by this body.

The impasse has exposed deep divisions between the outgoing leadership, which still claims a majority on the board despite losing the presidency, and the new opposition that seeks to implement its agenda after narrowly winning the top post. Tensions ran high during the meeting, with some members mentioning possible legal action and even new elections within two weeks if no agreement is reached.

Michel-Éric Jacquin, who was elected president on August 26, has suspended the vote for the executive board. He has asked the board to consult with legal advisors who drafted the syndicate’s 2025 statutes to clarify voting procedures for a relative majority. Jacquin described the current situation as “frozen,” noting that immediate priorities like grape harvests take precedence while awaiting legal guidance.

The outgoing team, led by Stéphane Gabard—president from December 2020 to August 2025—acknowledges their electoral defeat but insists they still hold a comfortable majority on the board. Gabard argues that most decisions are made by the board itself according to the statutes, making the executive board less critical than it appears. He suggests that if the new leadership is willing to collaborate, an agreement could be reached to form a joint executive team.

However, members of Jacquin’s group say that only individual negotiations have taken place so far, not collective proposals. They argue that it is difficult to support a project without knowing its details. The new leadership’s program includes proposals such as creating a Bordeaux IGP (Protected Geographical Indication), revising mandatory contributions from producers, and reconsidering the future of Planète Bordeaux, the syndicate’s headquarters.

Some members fear that these tensions could escalate into open conflict between rival factions. One board member close to Jacquin expressed regret that the executive board was not approved immediately after his election in August, blaming procedural objections from opponents who now appear unwilling to cooperate.

Gabard maintains that previous practice was for presidential candidates to present their executive teams at the same time as their own candidacy. This time, he says, Jacquin was elected without presenting his team first—a break from tradition that has contributed to confusion and delay.

For now, Jacquin remains president but without an official executive board or clear majority support. He holds signing authority for the syndicate but admits it is difficult to move forward without a full team in place. Gabard denies blocking progress and believes consensus can still be found.

The next steps depend on legal clarification regarding voting procedures and whether both sides can reach an agreement before further elections are called. Meanwhile, with harvest season underway, many in Bordeaux’s wine community are watching closely to see how this unusual power struggle will be resolved.