Breaking: Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte and Castelnau announce merger

Two of Champagne’s leading co-operatives, Nicolas Feuillatte and Castelnau, have announced that they are to merge in what was described as, ”a committed and voluntary partnership optimising the expertise and standing that both entities have acquired over the years”.

The boards of directors of both the Centre Vinicole – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte (CV-CNF) and the Coopérative Régionale des Vins de Champagne Castelnau (C.R.V.C) agreed on the action in order to “strengthen the cooperative movement in the Champagne region”.

The move is still subject to a vote at the annual general meeting of both businesses in June next year.

With the process decided upon, a new name for the business will likewise be made.

Between them CV-CNF and CRVC represent over 6,000 growers in the French region. Nicolas Feuillatte was already the largest producer in the region before this merger was announced.

“Our grower families will be proud to back this new cooperative project. Our vision of the future and determination will safeguard the social and federating values of our community of local wine growers,” said Fabrice Collin, C.R.V.C’s chairman.

Véronique Blin, chairwoman of the CV-CNF, said: “This merger represents the place where our common destiny will take shape, where together we will find the impetus to breathe new life into the Champagne vineyard, and from which we will emerge stronger and more together.”