Crus Bourgeois du Médoc appoints new president

The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc has appointed Franck Bijon as the new President of the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc.

Bijon, who is the managing director of the Larose vineyards, will take over from outgoing president Olivier Cuvelier, who held the term for five-year.

Bijon said he hoped to “strengthen the pride, ambition and energy of a family of producers with a view to promoting the collective brand of the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc”.

“Today, the significant changes in our ecosystem require us to adapt our strategy, demonstrating resilience and an ability to listen,” he said.

The board, who elected Bijon last week, thanked Cuvelier for his tenure, noting in particular for his success in establishing the Cru Bourgeois as a collective brand and making that the base for the winegrower organisation.  He also oversaw the introduction of the new 2020 classification, which includes 249 Médoc properties.

Bijon has been the managing director of the Allianz wine properties since 1989, including Château Larose Trintaudon Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, Château Larose Perganson Cru Bourgeois Supérieur and Château Arnauld, Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnel in AOC Haut-Médoc, and Château Tour de Pez Cru Bourgeois in AOC Saint Estèphe.

The Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc was established to promote the interests of the  owners and producers of the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc, and represent its members within the wine industry. In addition, it is responsible for implementing the classification every five years, as well as for organising events and professional tastings to present wines from across the region’s appellations (Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis, Margaux, Pauillac, and Saint Estèphe).