At 88 years old, Bernard Magrez, composer of great wines, needs a conductor to amplify his recital and to respond to major challenges, in a difficult context for Bordeaux wines. How does he see the near future? To the question of Jack Bouin, President of Bacchus Business Club of Bordeaux, now supported by Michaël Bourguignon as vice-president, Director of revenue and development of the Sud Ouest Group, the businessman does not avoid the obstacle . “75% of the great wines are sold in eight countries,” recalls Bernard Magrez. I want to improve my distribution and that requires a lot of money. I also want to get rid of certain debts,” he admits. This is how a large French banking group was asked to find this partner who could acquire a stake in the grand crus or the holding company. If Bernard Magrez wants to be wary of “aggressive pension funds”, the construction of the partnership “will depend on the personality” of the candidate.
Bulimic with work, happy to need little sleep to be able to devour books about those who succeed, Bernard Magrez told the Bacchus Business Club about his thirst to win and to convince that work is not a burden but an opportunity to to grow. “Never give up”. This is his motto which has often allowed him to win even if he recognizes some failures like this “Grande Maison: “I ate a million euros every year for six years” and this despite the presence of the multi-starred, chef Pierre Gagnaire.
