French Wine Giants Plan €320 Million Merger as Industry Faces Climate and Consumption Challenges

Advini and Cordier by InVivo, two major players in the French wine industry, have announced that they have entered into exclusive negotiations to merge certain activities. The move is designed to strengthen their positions in a market facing significant challenges, including declining wine consumption and the effects of climate change on production.

The proposed merger would see Cordier by InVivo contribute assets to Advini, making InVivo a key shareholder alongside the Jeanjean family and Antoine Leccia, who chairs Advini’s board of directors. Despite this new shareholding structure, the current majority shareholders would retain an absolute majority of Advini’s capital. The companies expect to finalize the transaction by March 31 of next year, pending consultation with employee representatives and regulatory review by the French financial markets authority (AMF).

If completed, the deal would allow Advini to expand its presence in Bordeaux through the Cordier brand and enter the sparkling wine market with Café de Paris. Advini’s export operations would also benefit from Cordier’s established distribution subsidiaries in countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Japan. The combined group would have consolidated revenues exceeding €320 million, with 65% generated internationally.

Antoine Leccia stated that the merger would accelerate Advini’s growth and allow it to enter new market segments like sparkling and low-alcohol wines. He also highlighted the potential for commercial synergies and increased profitability. Thierry Blandinières, CEO of InVivo and Cordier by InVivo, emphasized that the partnership comes at a time when the wine industry is facing unprecedented economic and geopolitical uncertainty. He noted that joining forces with Advini would help secure bulk wine supplies and reinforce their position as a leading French wine group in global markets.

Advini was founded in 1872 and has grown into an international wine group with deep roots in France and South Africa. The company manages a diverse portfolio of estates across regions such as Languedoc, Roussillon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Provence, Saint-Emilion, Beaune, Chablis, and Stellenbosch. Advini is known for its commitment to sustainability and agroecological practices.

Cordier by InVivo was established in 2015 as a subsidiary of InVivo, one of Europe’s largest agricultural cooperatives. Cordier works with 10 partner cooperative wineries representing 4,100 winegrowers across 29,000 hectares in Bordeaux and other major French regions. The company operates its own bottling plants and distribution companies in key wine-consuming countries.

InVivo itself is a major force in European agriculture, with operations spanning grain trading, agriculture, agri-food—including malt, wheat, and wine—and retail distribution. The group employs 15,000 people across 38 countries.

The planned merger reflects ongoing consolidation trends within the global wine industry as companies seek to adapt to shifting consumer preferences and environmental pressures. Both groups say they are committed to maintaining their respective traditions while building a stronger platform for future growth.