The Castel group, a major player in wine, has reached a new milestone by announcing the acquisition of the Champagne house Malard. This is a first for the Bordeaux giant, which, although already having a foot in the world of sparkling wines (Kriter), had until now never purchased a producer in the region.
Maison Malard, founded in the 1990s in Aÿ, in Marne, is an independent family business, like its buyer. This merger marks a new stage in Castel’s diversification strategy, which wishes to strengthen its presence on the sparkling wine market. Malard’s turnover, worth around 20 million euros in recent years, testifies to its solid presence in the region, although the amount of the transaction has not been communicated.
This acquisition echoes a former collaboration between Castel and another major Champagne player, Vranken-Pommery Monopole. In 2013, the two groups formed a joint venture with the aim of boosting the production of rosé wine, particularly with the Listel brand. Although this joint adventure ended, Vranken having sold its shares to Castel in 2017, this partnership already marked the Bordeaux giant’s interest in Champagne.
This latest acquisition demonstrates Castel’s desire to establish itself sustainably in Champagne, a highly symbolic sector, while continuing its diversification strategy, both in France and internationally.
