PRESS INFORMATION. Contact: Helen Hammond

Transcription

1 PRESS INFORMATION Contact: Helen Hammond

2 PRESS RELEASE: 2 nd March 2015 AWARD WINNING WINE MAKER LAUNCHES NEW CROWDFUNDING INITIATIVE Award winning wine maker, Domaine du Grand Mayne ( has re-launched under new ownership and is inviting the public to get involved as investors. On 2 nd March 450,000 shares will be made available through crowd funding platform Seedrs ( Shares cost just 1 each and, for as little as a 500 investment, members of the scheme will get to own their own part of the wine industry. They ll also qualify for significant discounts on direct from vineyard wine purchases and renting the six bedroom, six bathroom vineyard villa. They can meet other shareholders at events both in the UK and France ranging from tastings and social events through to harvest and production, as well as an education programme to help them explore the sector and expand their knowledge. The scheme aims to change people s perspective of the business of winemaking and the people involved. Going beyond the schemes that allow individuals to rent a row of vines, Domaine du Grand Mayne members will actually own a part of the business. One of the scheme s founders, former Managing Director of Great Western Wine and former Director of Enotria World Wine, Philip Addis, said: With Domaine du Grand Mayne we re doing something that s different from other vineyards. We re providing consumers with an opportunity to buy direct from a vineyard that they also have a share in. They re not just drinking a glass of great wine; they re also part of the process. He continued: This new business is a direct response to the industry s changing audiences and the opportunities presented by modern business practices. It s to everyone s benefit. A Crowdfunded investment of this type, goes beyond pure cash, introducing many new people to the world of wine. Added to which, allowing that group to buy direct from the vineyard means the wine drinker can save money and the vineyard maximises profits.

3 Founder and English wine maker, Andrew Gordon explained the background to the business: Domaine du Grand Mayne has been producing excellent, award winning wine since I set it up, almost 30 years ago. In 1985 I established a scheme there called Wineshare, which involved individuals renting rows of vines. I was the first person to take this approach and it has now been widely copied. Although I sold the business in 2007 I was invited back to become a director of this new incarnation and to help with its modernisation. In addition to contacting the vineyard s original loyal following, the directors have focused on establishing a stellar team of experienced business people and wine experts, to lead the initiative. Newly appointed South African Wine Director, Martin Meinert said: We have an exceptionally talented French winemaker, Mathieu Crosnier, who has worked there since 2011, and there is no doubt in my mind about the ability of Domaine du Grand Mayne to continue to produce the high quality wines it is already known for and grow to greater things yet. The directors state that that they plan to use the crowdfunded investment to plant new vines, improve facilities and build the vineyard s brand - making Domaine du Grand Mayne a destination for tourists and wine lovers alike.

4 ABOUT DOMAINE DU GRAND MAYNE Domaine du Grand Mayne is a 120 acre property in the Côtes de Duras. Established in 1985, by English wine merchant Andrew Gordon, Andrew also established a scheme called Wineshare, which involved individuals renting rows of vines, and in doing so opening up a route to market direct to the consumer. Andrew was the first person to establish this rental system and this has now been copied widely. Sales at its peak reached over 250,000 bottles annually. The vineyard was sold in 2007, and while the vineyard continued to produce good wine, sales were allowed to decline. Late in 2013, a new UK company was set up to buy the French company SARL Grand Mayne. THE BOARD Philip Addis, Chairman. Founder of Great Western Wine in Bath. Philip founded Great Western Wine in 1983 and successfully sold the business in 2010 with sales of towards 10m per year. He is well respected throughout the wine industry. Andrew Gordon. Founder of Grand Mayne and Wineshare (the previous scheme at the vineyard). Andrew is well known by the original Wineshare membership, and, like Philip, is well regarded throughout the UK wine industry. Graham Hazell. Entrepreneur and investor with experience across a wide range of businesses. Tim Henderson-Ross. Finance Director. Tim has spent his career working in industry, latterly in a series of general management and Board roles. He was Finance Director for Great Western Wine Ltd working with Philip Addis to build the business prior to its sale. Martin Meinert. One of South Africa's most respected winemakers, Martin has worked throughout the world including at Chateau Lafite in Bordeaux. He set up Vergelegen, one of South Africa's famous vineyards, and he also works with other major wineries as a consultant and winemaker, including Ken Forrester and Eagles Nest.

5 WINE MANAGER Mathieu Crosnier. Originally from the Loire Valley, near Vouvray, Mathieu has been General Manager of Domaine du Grand Mayne since 2011, having joined the vineyard from a role as Production Manager at Domaine Saint Jean de Villecroze, Provence. He has completed two masters (one about vineyard managing, terroir study, winemaking and wine business and one about oenology) as well as internships in Bordeaux Grand Cru, Château Carbonnieux, and studying the terroir of Appellation Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion. ABOUT THE WINES Domaine du Grand Mayne produces red (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc), white (Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Chenin Blanc) and Rosé (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) wines. Regular wines production will be at two levels: the entry-level wines are priced around 5.75 in Oak-aged wines will be under 10 per bottle. Domaine du Grand Mayne is focusing on making good quality wines at fair prices, not ultra-cheap wines. The directors state that they want shareholders to be proud of what the vineyard produces and their investment. USEFUL LINKS Website: Seedrs: Photographs: PRESS CONTACT: For interviews with directors, more information or photographs please contact Helen Hammond, Elephant Creative, helen@elephantcreative.co.uk

6 REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS Le Point.fr: A recommendation by Olivier Bompas Here at Domaine du Grand Mayne we ve long been of the opinion that there are some wonderful food pairings for our wines. That s why we were particularly delighted when renowned sommelier and journalist Olivier Bompas listed us in his recent article about the delights of wild boar. Cured wild boar in terrines and other pâtés needs expressive red wines with a slight tannin content which will balance the fat in the meat. For example, from the vineyards of the South West, a Côtes de Duras from Domaine du Grand Mayne, which has a chewy and spicy character A wine of great finesse Guide Hachette des Vins 2015 Complex aromas are enhanced by a touch of liveliness Guide Hachette des Vins 2013 A star returns Guide Hachette des Vins 2012 No fewer than four wines from Domaine du Grand Mayne have interested the jury this year Guide Hachette des Vins 2012

7 AWARDS stars Guide Hachette des Vins 2015, Merlot Cabernet stars Guide Hachette des Vins 2015, Cuvee des Vendangeurs star Guide Hachette des Vins 2015, Rosé star Guide Hachette des Vins 2015, Sauvignon Gold Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2014, Cuvée des Vendangeurs 2013 Silver Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2014, Cuvée Prestige Gold Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2013, Cuvée Prestige star Guide Hachette des Vins 2013, Sauvignon stars Guide Hachette des Vins 2013, Cuvée Prestige star Guide Hachette des Vins 2013, Cuvée des Vendangeurs Silver Medal, Concours des Vins de Bordeaux 2012, Merlot Cabernet stars Guide Hachette des Vins 2012, Sauvignon star Guide Hachette des Vins 2012, Cuvée des Vendangeurs star Guide Hachette des Vins 2012, Cuvée Prestige Silver Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2011, Sauvignon 2010 Gold Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2011, Cuvée des Vendangeurs 2010 Gold Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2011, Cuvée Prestige Gold Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2010, Cuvée des Vendangeurs 2009 Gold Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2010, Sauvignon 2009 Silver Medal Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2010, Cuvée Prestige 2008 Silver Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2010, Cuvée Révolution 2008 Silver Medal, Concours de Mâcon 2010, Merlot Cabernet 2008 Silver Medal Concours de Mâcon 2010, Cuvé e Prestige 2008 Gold Medal Concours des Vins d Aquitaine Bordeaux 2010, Cuvée des Vendangeurs 2009 Gold Medal Concours des Vins d Aquitaine Bordeaux 2010, Rosé 2009