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EPI Group acquires Chianti Classico estate Isole e Olena
The French luxury investment group already has Charles Heidsieck, Piper-Heidsieck, a majority stake in Folio Fine Wine Partners and Biondi-Santi – now it has extended its Italian footprint with a celebrated Chianti Classico winery.
The estate is known for its flagship Cepparello, a 100% Sangiovese wine it has been making since the 1980s. It also produces wines labelled as Chianti Classico, in addition to Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Vin Santo. Paolo De Marchi has been the winemaker there since his first vintage in 1978 and will retain his role under the new owners.
Isole e Olena has been in the De Marchi family, originally from Piedmont, since 1956, when the adjoining estates of Isole and Olena in San Donato were purchased and united. The 56 hectares of vineyards sit 300 to 500 metres above sea level.
In a statement, EPI owner and president Christopher Descours said: “We deeply respect Paolo De Marchi’s unique vision, operational excellence, and constant perseverance in producing the estate’s highly refined and authentic wines. We intend to pursue Paolo De Marchi’s work, putting our passion for excellence and our experience on international markets, at the service of the unique wines of Isole e Olena.”
De Marchi said: “…having devoted a large part of my life to Isole e Olena, I am pleased to see my estate now in the hands of a group that shares the values to which I am personally very attached.” He went on to say: “I look forward to actively contributing to this exciting new chapter for Isole e Olena and to ensuring a gradual and seamless transition.”
This is not EPI’s first foray into Tuscany. In 2017 the group acquired Brunello di Montalcino’s Biondi-Santi. Giampiero Bertolini, Biondi-Santi CEO, will also take over the running of Isole e Olena.
Damien Lafaurie, CEO of EPI Wine and Champagne, said: “We firmly believe in the growth potential of the finest Italian wines in major international markets and are determined to continue investing in the quality of our wines, our brands and our distribution networks, for them to gain global recognition as some of the very best wines in the world.”
The cost of the purchase was not disclosed.