Michel Laroche (Chablis) buys wine estate in South Africa

Michel Laroche, one of the most successful producers of Chablis, has just bought a winery in South Africa: Avenir Wine Estate. The winery has 55 hectares (but some say 24 ha)of vineyards in Stellenbosch. The deal is done in collaboration with AXA Millesime that will get 49% of the capital. Laroche has already expanded outside his home turf in Chablis (representing 450 ha, own vineyards and négociant activity) with wineries in Languedoc (500 ha) and in Chile. At his new winery in South Africa Laroche will concentrate on the typical local grape varieties Pinotage and Chenin Blanc (Steen). L'Avenir's web-site