Les Vins de Crus

What Les Vins de Crus does

Les Vins de Crus (LVDC) is a Bordeaux-based wine négociant founded in 1975 that specializes in distributing premium Bordeaux wines, particularly Grands Crus Classés, to international markets. The company operates from a 3,500m2 facility in Bruges-Bordeaux housing 3,000m2 of climate-controlled, in-bond-accredited warehousing with a 3.5 million bottle storage capacity, and maintains a regional office in Hong Kong (opened 2012) to serve Asian markets. Its operations are anchored in direct, long-standing relationships with Bordeaux chateau properties — most notably the founding partnership with the Prats family (Château Cos d'Estournel, Marbuzet, Petit Village) — combined with a Perfect Traceability System and a stated policy of refusing wines that have traveled outside Bordeaux or passed through auction, reinforcing provenance integrity.

LVDC's product portfolio comprises three lines: Les Grands Crus Classés (67% of revenue, sourced en primeur and in deliverable form across all major Bordeaux appellations), a Gamme d'exclusivités of smaller chateaux from premium but lesser-known Bordeaux terroirs (33% of revenue), and a curated selection of prestigious world wines (Les vins d'ailleurs) distributed through a small number of selected Bordeaux négociants. The business model is transaction-based B2B wine distribution with quote-based pricing that varies by classification, provenance, purchase mode (En Primeur wine futures vs. deliverable stock), volume, and client relationship. The go-to-market relies on direct field sales through regional directors covering Europe, the UK, Asia, and France, supported by industry events and a multi-language website.

The company employs a team of 25+ professionals across 8 nationalities, led since 2001 by co-directors Théodore Mostermans (son of founder Herman Mostermans) and Antoine Darquey, with next-generation representation through Pierre Darquey (Directeur Export, since 2021). LVDC is a private, family-owned firm reporting 450+ active clients across more than 60 countries, with approximately 75% of revenue derived from export markets. No external funding, public listing, or disclosed financials are recorded in the data.

Name

Les Vins de Crus

Legal name

Les Vins de Crus

Website

https://lesvinsdecrus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Les Vins de Crus is a Bordeaux-based wine négociant, founded in 1975, that distributes Grands Crus Classés and select exclusive chateaux wines to 450+ clients across 60+ countries, with 75% of revenue from exports and offices in Bruges-Bordeaux and Hong Kong.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fine Wine Distribution

NAICS

Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine Retail (Bottle Shops & Wine Merchants) (CRANABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fine Wine & Luxury Spirits Retail (CRANABAE)

Keywords

• Bordeaux wine distribution
• Grands Crus Classés
• Fine wine trading
• En primeur sales
• Wine négociant

Headquarters

HQ city

Bruges

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Grands Crus Classés Sales: Primary revenue stream from trading and distributing Bordeaux's most prestigious classified wines, including En Primeur (wine futures) purchases and immediate delivery stock. Revenue split shows 67% from Grands Crus Classés.
2. Petits Châteaux / Exclusive Properties: Distribution of selected exclusive chateaux from the best terroirs of Bordeaux region, offering exceptional quality-to-price ratios. Represents 33% of revenue mix.
3. World Wines Distribution: Distribution of select premium foreign wines, positioned as a privilege limited to few Bordeaux négociants

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Les Vins de Crus is a Bordeaux wine négociant that trades and distributes fine wines — primarily Grands Crus Classés (67% of revenue) and exclusive petits châteaux (33%) — purchased en primeur (wine futures) and as deliverable stock, exporting to 60+ countries from purpose-built climate-controlled warehouses. The company also curates Les vins d'ailleurs, a select range of prestigious world wines distributed exclusively through a few Bordeaux négociants.

Product overview

Les Vins de Crus operates as a traditional French wine négociant specializing in the distribution of fine wines through three interconnected product lines: (1) Les Grands Crus Classés - the core offering of classified Bordeaux wines purchased en primeur, representing 67% of sales; (2) Gamme d'exclusivités - an exclusive range of smaller Château wines from premium but lesser-known Bordeaux appellations offering exceptional value; and (3) Les vins d'ailleurs - a curated selection of prestigious wines from other world regions. The company emphasizes perfect traceability and exemplary storage conditions, refusing to purchase bottles from auctions or lots that have traveled outside Bordeaux.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Les Grands Crus Classés Bordeaux Grands Crus Classés and assimilated wines purchased both en primeur (wine futures) and as deliverable stock from all major Bordeaux appellations, including Médoc, Margaux, St Julien, Pauillac, St Estèphe, St Emilion, Pomerol, Graves, and Pessac Léognan. Offered to wine merchants, HORECA clients and collectors worldwide.
• Gamme d'exclusivités (Exclusivities Range) An exclusive selection of Petits Châteaux from the best Bordeaux terroirs, offering exceptional quality-to-price ratios capable of surprising top Crus in blind tastings, distributed through LVDC's B2B channels.
• Les vins d'ailleurs (Wines from the World) A selection of prestigious wines from major wine regions outside Bordeaux, distributed exclusively by LVDC as one of a few selected Bordeaux négociants granted this privilege.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.5 million bottles storage capacity
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Prats FamilycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1975The Prats Family were co-founders of Les Vins de Crus in 1975. At the time, they owned Château Cos d'Estournel, Château Marbuzet, and Château Petit Village. This founding partnership established LVDC's deep roots in Bordeaux's classified wine estates.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Maison Dourthe: Bordeaux wine négociant distributing Grands Crus Classés and a broader wine portfolio to international HORECA and merchant clients. Closely comparable to LVDC's négociant model, En Primeur operations, and export-led go-to-market.
• Yvon Mau: Historic Bordeaux négociant with broad portfolio of classified and exclusive properties distributed internationally. Comparable to LVDC in its négociant role, international reach, and mix of Grands Crus plus proprietary exclusive château ranges.
• Maison Sichel: Long-established Bordeaux négociant distributing classified Bordeaux wines internationally, including a UK subsidiary. Highly comparable to LVDC in product mix, châteaux relationships, and B2B distribution to HORECA and merchants.
• Corney & Barrow: UK fine wine merchant with a B2B focus on restaurants, hotels and private clients, including Bordeaux classified wines. Comparable to LVDC in target customers (HORECA, collectors, merchants), product focus, and B2B sales-led model.
• Justerini & Brooks: UK fine wine merchant specializing in Bordeaux, Burgundy and other top wines for B2B clients and collectors. Directly comparable to LVDC in product category, En Primeur activity, and HORECA/collector client mix.
• Ulysse Cazabonne: Bordeaux négociant specializing in Grands Crus Classés and exclusive château distributions to international markets. Directly comparable to LVDC in client mix (HORECA, merchants, collectors) and En Primeur-led model.
• Berry Bros. & Rudd: Historic London-based fine wine merchant with a B2B division serving restaurants, merchants and collectors globally, including a strong En Primeur offering for Bordeaux. Comparable to LVDC in fine wine B2B distribution, En Primeur model, and international client base.
• Ballande et Cie: Family-owned Bordeaux négociant with deep châteaux relationships and international distribution of classified Bordeaux wines. Closely comparable to LVDC's family ownership, négociant model, and B2B export focus.
• Joannès Médeville & Fils: Independent Bordeaux négociant distributing fine wines and Grands Crus to international clients. Comparable to LVDC in core product offering, customer mix, and family-owned operating style.

Regional players

• ASC Fine Wines: Hong Kong-headquartered fine wine importer and distributor serving restaurants, hotels and collectors across Asia-Pacific. Comparable to LVDC in fine wine distribution, Hong Kong presence, and Asian HORECA/collector customer base, but focused on Asia rather than global export.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Les Vins de Crus