What Mercier does

Mercier (legal entity: Mercier Frères SARL) is a privately held, family-controlled French vine nursery founded in 1890 in Vix, Vendée, and self-described as the world leader (N°1 worldwide) in vine plant production. It produces and distributes grafted vine plants to professional wine producers and domaines across all major French AOC regions and an expanding set of export markets (notably Argentina, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Russia, and England), with a secondary consumer-facing channel for hobbyist growers via a dedicated website. The firm employs roughly 190 people across five sites — headquarters plus production at Vix, regional sales offices at La Lande de Fronsac (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), Saturargues (Grand Sud), and Beaune (Bourgogne, Champagne, Alsace), and the wholly owned Mercier Argentina (Vivero Mercier) subsidiary in Mendoza — and reports an average employee seniority of 15 years.

The product portfolio is centered on the Altis® range, offered in bare-root traditional (30/45/58 cm), pot 7 (7×9), pot 9 (9×9), and pot 10 (F10 ALTIS) formats, with all material certified under the Bureau Veritas Vitipep's standard and traceable via the Plant Confiance ALTIS QR-code system. The technical differentiator rests on three proprietary biotechnologies applied to every Altis® plant: CleanPROCESS® (internationally patented process WO2013/01105311 using neutral anolyte to eliminate wood-disease pathogens on plant material, tools, and facilities), Trichoderma I-1237 inoculation (Tri-Wall® by Agrauxine, first AMM-authorized biofungicide for wood disease control), and mycorrhization at the root of all potted formats. Sanitary quality is enforced in-house by the COFRAC-accredited (n°1-1919) Novatech laboratory, which executes more than 106,000 vine tests per year, and the company operates the largest controlled plant material park — 300 ha in open field plus a 4-hectare off-soil pre-multiplication greenhouse capable of producing 9.8 million graftwood annually (vs. 800,000 on equivalent traditional acreage), 700,000 graftwood mother vines, and 320,000 rootstock vines, with 21,000 m³ of cold storage. Adjacent lines include Nathy® naturally resistant varieties (e.g., Sauvignac), the Unik® massal selection program, and partner regional selections (ENTAV, ATVB, SICAVAC, CRVI, RESDUR, Freiburg).

Mercier monetizes exclusively through direct B2B field sales. Quote-based pricing is delivered by a regional technico-commercial team of expert technicians who provide soil analysis, plant material selection, planting-plan design, and follow-up across the project lifecycle; there is no e-commerce, no reseller channel, and pricing is not publicly disclosed. Order minimums vary by format (from 100 plants for pots to 2,000 for traditional 30 cm) and order validation deadlines are tied to the production calendar (January 15 of year N for non-stock availability), with delivery timed to format (pots from June 15, traditional bare-root from January 15 of year N+1). GTM is augmented by participation in major viticulture trade shows (SITEVI, SIVAL, VinEquip, Viteff, VINEA, Vineyard & Winery Show UK) and organic social presence (Instagram, Facebook), supplemented by technical day events at marquee client estates (Château Figeac, Château Lynch-Bages). The company has no external investors, no parent, and no disclosed funding events.

Name

Mercier

Legal name

Mercier Frères SARL

Website

https://pepinieres-mercier.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Viticulture Nursery / Vine Plant Production

NAICS

Grape Vineyards (111332), Nursery and Tree Production (111421)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine Grape Vineyard Operations (Varietal/AVA Practices, Yield & Quality Targets) (AFAGAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vineyard Establishment & Development (Site Prep, Trellising, Planting) (AFAGAJAA), Vineyard Pest, Disease & Weed Management (IPM, Spraying, Bird Control) (AFAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Vine plant production
• Grafted vine nursery
• Viticulture plant material
• Vineyard establishment services
• Resistant grape varieties

Headquarters

HQ city

Chaignes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Vine plant sales: Production and sale of grafted vine plants in multiple formats: bare-root traditional (30/45/58 cm), pot 7x9, pot 9x9, and pot 10 (F10 ALTIS). Includes grafted rootstocks, scion varieties, and selection types (clonal ENTAV, massale Unik, private massale, partner massale). Revenue derived from vineyard creation and replacement planting projects.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Mercier produces and sells grafted vine plants under its premium Altis® range (bare-root traditionnel, pot 7, pot 9) in clonal (ENTAV by IFV & INRAE), massale (Unik®, SICAVAC, ATVB) and naturally resistant (Nathy®, RESDUR, Freiburg) selections, applying exclusive biotechnologies (CleanPROCESS®, Trichoderma I-1237, mycorrhization) to deliver plants with high physiological and sanitary quality for vineyard creation and replacement. The offering is completed by full-project technical accompaniment (soil analysis, planting plan, follow-up), a COFRAC-accredited Novatech diagnostic laboratory and the Plant Confiance ALTIS QR traceability system for professional wine estates and domaines across all major French regions and select export markets.

Product overview

Mercier is a viticultural nursery offering premium grape vine plants and vineyard creation services. The product portfolio centers on the Altis® product line comprising three formats: Altis® traditionnel (bare root), Altis® pot 7 (7x9 biodegradable pot), and Altis® pot 9 (9x9 pot). Each plant combines exclusive biotechnologies including CleanPROCESS® (patented sanitary process), Trichoderma I-1237 biocontrol inoculation, and mycorrhization for potted formats. The offering spans over 380 ENTAV clone varieties, UNIK® massale selections, and resistant varieties (NATHY®, RESDUR, Freiburg). Mercier provides comprehensive technical support through regional expert technicians, the COFRAC-accredited Novatech laboratory for sanitary diagnostics, and a QR code traceability system called Plant Confiance ALTIS. Founded in 1890, the company operates 5 sites in France and abroad with 190 employees, maintaining leadership through exclusive innovations and certifications including Vitipep's (Bureau Veritas).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Altis®: Premium range of grape vine plants offering the highest physiological and sanitary quality, including traditional bare-root, pot 7, and pot 9 formats. Features exclusive biotechnology innovations including CleanPROCESS®, trichoderma I-1237 inoculation, and mycorrhization for potted plants.
• CleanPROCESS®
• Nathy®
• Unik®
• Novatech

Products and services

• Altis® traditionnel (bare-root) Premium bare-root grafted vine plants (30 cm, 45 cm, 58 cm) with omega or English graft types, marketed for vineyard planting and replacement under the Altis® range. Incorporates CleanPROCESS® neutral-anolyte disinfection and Trichoderma I-1237 biofungicide inoculation; minimum order 2,000 plants for 30 cm format and 1,000 plants for special lengths, delivered from January 15 of year N+1.
• Altis® pot 7 Premium 7x9 biodegradable pot grafted vine plants with mycorrhized root systems, positioned as the best alternative for plantations and replacements. Delivered around June 15 of year N; minimum order 100 plants.
• Altis® pot 9 Premium 9x9 forest-grid pot grafted vine plants with mycorrhized roots, designed for autumn replacement plantings after harvest and optimized recovery in difficult conditions. Delivered around October 1 of year N.
• Sélection clonale ENTAV by IFV & INRAE Clonal selection offering covering more than 380 ENTAV-registered varieties and 1,200 approved clones, certified Vitipep's by Bureau Veritas. Provides worldwide-recognized French selection with agronomic precision, traceability and sanitary quality guarantees for professional vineyards.
• Sélection massale Unik® Premium massale selection program under the Unik® brand (Unik Grande Diversité and Unik Collection Régionale), offering broad genetic diversity sourced from great terroirs to craft wines of complexity and emotional impact with irreproachable sanitary quality.
• Nathy® naturally resistant varieties Naturally resistant grape varieties created through Novatech-Sélection natural crossings, bred to deliver sufficient oenological quality for 100% vinification and robust resistance to powdery mildew, downy mildew and black-rot. First commercial variety is Nathy®-Sauvignac.
• RESDUR and Freiburg resistant varieties Resistant varieties sourced from the INRA-IFV (RESDUR, France) and Freiburg University (Germany) breeding programs, distributed through Mercier for vineyards seeking proven agronomic and oenological qualities with disease resistance.
• Partner massale selections (SICAVAC and ATVB) Region-specific partner massale selections produced in collaboration with SICAVAC (Centre-Loire / Sancerre) and ATVB (Burgundy) associations, as well as CRVI for Corsican selections, enabling expression of terroir typicities.
• Porte-greffes (rootstock selection) Choice of more than fifteen rootstock varieties matched to soil analysis, terroir compatibility and cultivation conditions to determine the ideal rootstock for each plantation or replacement project.
• EP Mercier — Expertise Plantation service Complete technical study of plantation projects covering parcel description, row layout and orientation, soil analysis results, plant material selection and technical itinerary, delivered by regional expert technicians for professional vineyards.
• Laboratoire Novatech diagnostic services COFRAC-accredited (n°1-1919, NF EN ISO/IEC 17025) diagnostic laboratory providing virus and phytoplasma analysis services via PCR thermocyclers, DNA sequencer, ELISA spectrophotometer and in-vitro culture facilities; performs more than 106,000 vine tests annually.
• Mercier Services — approved planting partners Network of approved planting service partners coordinated through the regional technician as single point of contact, providing professional vineyard establishment and mechanical planting execution.
• Consumer vine plants for individuals Small-quantity vine plants and advice service for individual hobbyist buyers (decoration, fresh consumption or home winemaking) sold through the dedicated consumer website mercier-plantsdevigne.com, separate from the professional B2B flow.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 106,000 vine tests performed annually by Novatech laboratory (equivalent to 250 ha of vineyards)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Novatech (Laboratoire Novatech)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary of the Mercier Group specializing in R&D and sanitary diagnostics for vines. COFRAC-accredited laboratory (n°1-1919) performing over 106,000 vine tests annually. Conducts virus and phytoplasma testing using PCR, ELISA, DNA sequencing. Hosts in-vitro culture room for plant sanitation. Developed Nathy® resistant variety program and massal selection Unik® program. Led by Olivier (Deputy Director and R&D Manager).
• ENTAV by IFV & INRAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench national clone and variety certification body. Mercier offers access to the full ENTAV catalogue — over 380 registered varieties and 1,200 approved clones — all certified Vitipep's. These clonal selections are the global reference for precision agronomy and sanitary quality.
• ATVB (Association des Sélectionneurs de la Vigne de Bourgogne)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional massal selection association for Burgundy wines. Mercier produces and distributes ATVB massal selections, allowing regional wine producers to express terroir typicities through rigorously selected plant material.
• SICAVACminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre Loire Valley wine selection association. Mercier collaborates on production and distribution of SICAVAC massal selections for Sancerre and Centre Loire wines, giving producers access to region-specific rigorously selected plant material.
• Agrauxine (Tri-Wall®)coreTechnology or IntegrationAgrauxine is the manufacturer of Trichoderma atroviride strain I-1237, commercialized as Tri-Wall® (AMM n°2210388) — the first biofungicide approved for wood disease control in vines. Mercier inoculates all Altis® range plants with this product as a core component of its disease resistance strategy.
• Bureau Veritas (Vitipep's label)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBureau Veritas certifies Mercier's plant material under the Vitipep's standard — the benchmark for French vine nurseries. Certification guarantees French origin, French selection and production, varietal purity, sanitary quality, and annual audit. Mercier is a major partner of the Vitipep's label.
• CRVI (Centre de Recherche Viticole de Corse)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorsican wine research institute. Mercier works with CRVI for the production and distribution of Corsican regional massal selections, serving the island's distinctive appellation needs.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Agrauxine (Lesaffre): Subsidiary of Lesaffre producing biocontrol products including Tri-Wall® (Trichoderma atroviride I-1237), which Mercier applies to all Altis® plants. An enabling technology partner whose biofungicide is core to Mercier's wood disease protection strategy.
• Bureau Veritas (Vitipep's): Third-party certification body auditing Mercier's plant material under the Vitipep's standard. Functions as a quality assurance partner whose label supports Mercier's premium positioning, rather than a direct competitor.
• IFV (Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin): French technical institute for vine and wine research, coordinates the RESDUR resistant variety breeding program and ENTAV-related activities. Functions as a research/ecosystem partner whose variety breeding outputs feed Mercier's commercialization pipeline.
• ENTAV-INRAE: French national institute managing clonal selection and certification of vine varieties. Mercier partners with ENTAV-INRAE to access the 380+ variety, 1,200+ clone catalogue; they are simultaneously a supplier (certified plant material) and an enabling ecosystem player that standardizes the varietal assets Mercier propagates.

Regional players

• SNS (Selected Nursery Services): Australian vine nursery producing grafted vine plants for Australian and New Zealand wine industries. Comparable in offering and customer base but geographically distinct, serving the Southern Hemisphere wine market where Mercier has lighter presence.
• Sun World International: US-based fruit variety development and licensing company, primarily in table grapes and stone fruit. Operates a similar variety breeding and licensing model to Mercier's Nathy® program but is geographically focused on US/Australia and the fresh-grape segment rather than European wine.

Broad incumbents

• Bayer Crop Science: Global agrochemical and seed company with vine-relevant crop protection portfolio. Broad incumbent in adjacent inputs but not a vine nursery competitor; relevant for context on industry consolidation and input supply dynamics.
• Syngenta (Crop Protection): Global crop protection and seed company with vine-relevant fungicide and biocontrol products. Not a direct nursery competitor but a broad incumbent in agronomic inputs that touches Mercier's customers through vineyard spray programs.

Direct peers

• Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo: Italian cooperative vine nursery widely regarded as the world's largest vine plant producer, offering grafted vine plants across formats and grape varieties. The most direct competitor to Mercier in European wine grape nursery operations, with comparable scale and clonal selection programs.
• Pépinières Guillaume: French vine nursery producing grafted vine plants, rootstocks, and selections for French and international vineyards. A direct competitor in France with overlapping customer base of professional wine producers and similar product formats (traditional bare-root, potted).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pepinieresmercier
• Instagraminstagram.com/pepinieres_mercier

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Mercier