PRESS INFORMATION - DOMAINE DU GRAND MAYNE

PRESS INFORMATION
Contact: Helen Hammond [email protected] 07946 253724
PRESS RELEASE: 2
nd
March 2015
AWARD WINNING WINE MAKER LAUNCHES NEW
CROWDFUNDING INITIATIVE
Award winning wine maker, Domaine du Grand Mayne (http://domaine-du-grandmayne.com/) has re-launched under new ownership and is inviting the public to get
involved as investors.
On 2nd March 450,000 shares will be made available through crowd funding platform
Seedrs (https://www.seedrs.com/startups/domaine-du-grand-mayne). 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”.
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.
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.
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 2015. 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: http://domaine-du-grand-mayne.com/
Seedrs: https://www.seedrs.com/startups/domaine-du-grand-mayne
Photographs: http://flickr.com/photos/grandmayne/
PRESS CONTACT: For interviews with directors, more information or photographs
please contact Helen Hammond, Elephant Creative, [email protected]
07946 253724
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
AWARDS
2015
•
2 stars Guide Hachette des Vins 2015, Merlot Cabernet 2012
•
2 stars Guide Hachette des Vins 2015, Cuvee des Vendangeurs 2013
•
1 star Guide Hachette des Vins 2015, Rosé 2013
•
1 star Guide Hachette des Vins 2015, Sauvignon 2013
2014
•
Gold Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2014, Cuvée des Vendangeurs 2013
•
Silver Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2014, Cuvée Prestige 2012
2013
•
Gold Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2013, Cuvée Prestige 2011
•
2 star Guide Hachette des Vins 2013, Sauvignon 2011
•
2 stars Guide Hachette des Vins 2013, Cuvée Prestige 2010
•
1 star Guide Hachette des Vins 2013, Cuvée des Vendangeurs 2011
2012
•
Silver Medal, Concours des Vins de Bordeaux 2012, Merlot Cabernet 2009
•
2 stars Guide Hachette des Vins 2012, Sauvignon 2010
•
1 star Guide Hachette des Vins 2012, Cuvée des Vendangeurs 2010
•
1 star Guide Hachette des Vins 2012, Cuvée Prestige 2009
2011
•
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 2009
2010
•
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