Charles Lachaux announces exclusive deal with Crurated

Rising Burgundian winemaker Charles Lachaux has announced a partnership with digital fine wine club, Crurated.

Lachaux, who represents the sixth generation at the Vosne-Romanée-based estate on the Côte-d’Or, has built a reputation as a rising star of the wine world, who is pushing the boundaries of viticulture in Burgundy. An established domain overseen by a young and talented winemaker, this was one that db noted as ‘one to watch’ back in 2019.

The deal means that Lachaux’s award-winning wines, which are all produced in small quantities and as such are in high demand, will be sold exclusively to Crurated members through the platform’s private sales, although trade sales to restaurant will still be handled by distributors.

Wines from Lachaux will be offered on the platform in several phases throughout the year, starting this week with a mixed case including wines from six appellations – Bourgogne Aligoté, Les Champs d’Argent, 2021, Bourgogne Rouge, La Croix Blanche, 2021, Côte de Nuits Village, Aux Montagnes, 2021, Aloxe-Corton premier cru, Les Valozières, 2021, Nuits Saint Georges village, La Petite Charmotte, 2021, and Nuits Saint Georges premier cru, Aux Argillas, 2021.

Each bottle will be accompanied with an NFT verifying the authenticity of the bottle and providing details such as including ownership history, vintage, vineyard location, and grape varieties in the blend. The bottle history is  updated via a new blockchain recording whenever the wine is resold and the token moves from one client to another.

Lachaux said that innovation in winemaking was “key to producing and distributing an exceptional bottle of wine” but for decades wine had been distributed “without an eye for how the process can be improved”.

“Crurated streamlines access to rare wines and their use of blockchain and NFT technology provides buyers with the authenticity and provenance much needed in this industry,” he said. “They are the ideal partner for us as we embark on a new age of direct to consumer wine sales.”

Crurated’s founder, Alfonso de Gaetano said the team were fortunate to work with some of the world’s greatest wines and winemakers.

“We are the first member-based wine community to offer full transparency and asset value protection,” he said. “Our blockchain-based technology platform has revolutionized the way rare wines are bought and sold.”

“This model is already redefining the wine cellar far beyond the four walls.”

Crurated was launched in 2021 designed to connect connoisseurs directly with world-class wine producers, with information and provenance assured through blockchain technology.