Frapin’s Max Cointreau dies aged 94

Max Cointreau, former president of Cointreau and co-owner of Frapin Cognac, has died at the age of 94.

The former mayor and former president of Cointreau died at his home town of Gensac la Pallue, near Cognac, on Wednesday, 19 October, the Cognac producer confirmed via a statement this morning. He was 94 years old.

Born in 1922, Max Cointreau began his professional life in 1942, eventually becoming joint managing director of Cointreau SARL and later President of Cointreau SA.

Right up to his death, Cointreau presided over the Domaine Château de Fontpinot, which owns the Cognac Frapin brand, in the heart of Grande Champagne. Cointreau had owned the estate with his wife, Geneviève Frapin, whose family has cultivated vines in the region since 1270.

As joint managing director of the Renaud Cointreau Group, Cointreau worked to develop both Frapin Cognac and Gosset Champagne, as well as the group’s liquor arm, Pages Vedrenne.

Throughout this career, he also served as president of the National Union of Liquor Manufacturers and of the GIE Grandes Liqueurs de France, and also as president of the Social Commission of the National Council of Wine and Spirit for eight years.

Appointed a Foreign Trade Advisor of France, Cointreau also served as the Mayor of Gensac la Pallue (1969-2001), General Councillor of the Canton de Segonzac (1973-1985) and Regional Councillor of Poitou Charentes. His service resulted in him being awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur – the highest decoration in France – and both the Mérite National and Palmes Académiques decorations for distinguished national figures.