Burgundy Giant Boisset to Buy Maison Alex Gambal
Famille Boisset will acquire 30 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards, the Gambal brand and inventory
Burgundy's Boisset family announced today the planned acquisition of Maison Alex Gambal. The deal, expected to be finalized by mid-September, includes 30 acres of vineyards planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, a winery and current inventory. The sale price was not disclosed.
“We have a great respect for the work Alex has been doing,” Nathalie Boisset, spokesperson for the family, told Wine Spectator. “We share the same philosophy we have had for years with our vineyards, mainly biodynamics and a fantastic domaine with nice vines and great wines. We also share a real American feeling and proximity,” she added, referring to the Boisset holdings in California.
Alex Gambal, 62, an American who moved to France in 1993 and founded his wine business in 1997, is a self-described “serial entrepreneur who needs to have a project and grow the business.” Two years ago he began to think about the long-term position of his business and what he wanted to do with it.
“We have had two high-quality and full harvests in 2017 and 2018, my [30 acres] of vines are in beautiful condition from five to eight years of organic/biodynamic farming—the quality of my wines has never been better—[so] I felt it was time to leave on a high note, under my terms and not look back,” he explained. “Also, the fact that my children have their own careers and were not interested in wine focused me on my decision to sell.”
Gambal’s domaine holdings account for two-thirds of the 6,000-case production, including Bâtard-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignères, Chassagne-Montrachet La Maltroie, Beaune Montagne St.-Désiré, Nuits-St.-Georges Clos des Argillières, Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Grands Picotins, Pommard and Volnay.
The Boisset family controls 1,800 acres of vineyards, in Burgundy, Rhône Valley, Jura and Beaujolais in France, as well as in California. Its Burgundy flagship is Domaine de la Vougeraie, created in 1999. Other brands include Jean-Claude Boisset, J. Moreau & Fils, Labouré-Roi, Bouchard-Aîné & Fils, Mommessin and Antonin Rodet.
Gambal will likely remain in an advisory role to help the brand. “I never imagined in July 1997 having a wonderful domaine of [30 acres], so many dear friends and colleagues and having learned so much from them,” he reflected. “No regrets at all. I am totally satisfied and pleased that the vines will remain in good hands with the Boisset family.”
