A wine merchant, grower, and producer in the Loire Valley, Maison Bougrier is continuing the transfer process started in 2018. This second round of financing marks a new stage in the family transfer from Noël Bougrier to his son Nicolas, alongside Crédit Mutuel Equity, which is reinvesting to support the wine company in its transformation.
Bougrier, which has a turnover of €26 million, more than half of which is generated internationally, is targeting growth of between 20% and 25% over the next four years.
Maison Bougrier, which has been promoting the reputation of Loire Valley wines for 130 years, is recognized today as one of the last independent family-owned wine houses. When he took over the reins of the company in 1988, Noël Bougrier, the fifth generation, brought a new dimension to the family business by expanding into the entire Loire Valley, from Sancerre to the Nantes region. In 2015, Nicolas Bougrier joined the company, followed five years later by his sister Sophie, so that today two generations work side by side.
Following the acquisition of the 94-hectare Tour Ambroise estate in 2024, Bougrier now owns 150 hectares of vineyards and has forged long-term partnerships with around 100 winegrowers who bring their production to the group's three wine cellars: Caves de la Tourangelle, Caves de l'Angevine, and Caves de la Nantaise. Bougrier then takes care of the aging, vinification, blending, bottling, and marketing in France and abroad, which accounts for nearly 60% of its turnover. Historically well established in North America and Europe, the company sold more than 8 million bottles in 2025.
A fourth winemaking site, Clos de L'Azuré, will be operational in 2026. Located in an industrial area opposite the vineyard, this new facility will enable the company to work on smaller vintages, but will also serve as a reception area for clients. The group plans to use this new facility to raise the profile of Maison Bougrier wines.
The new generation taking over the reins of the company is driving forward environmental initiatives with a desire to provide technical support to winegrowers on issues relating to varietal adaptation to climate change and evolving consumer tastes.
"The relationship of trust we have built up over the past seven years with Crédit Mutuel Equity allows us to continue our journey together. It is essential to be able to count on a partner who understands our business and the challenges we face. The local Crédit Mutuel Equity teams, with whom we have forged strong relationships, help us identify areas for improvement," explains Nicolas Bougrier, CEO, who is delighted that his two sisters will soon be joining him in the company's management, marking a shift towards greater gender diversity in the history of Maison Bougrier.
"We appreciate the professionalism of Bougrier's management, which has successfully continued to develop their company and strengthen its foundations. In 2018, we invested in the company's capital to facilitate the transfer of ownership from Noël Bougrier to his son Nicolas, two very complementary profiles. The latter has taken over the commercial side of the business with great success in exports, which has led to increased sales in the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. We are delighted to be writing this new chapter in the history of this family business, alongside the sixth generation," add Laure Marchais and Stéphane Mentzer from Crédit Mutuel Equity.