Wi&ne

What Wi&ne does

WI&NE is a French professional association (Association loi 1901) founded in 2014 in Bordeaux by David Lawton, operating as a curated expert network for investment in wines and spirits. The association connects French and international investors with a network of more than 40 specialized member firms spanning property brokerage, notarial services, M&A and tax law, viticulture and oenology consulting, logistics, insurance, construction, and architecture. It operates three regional chapters covering Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Le Taillan-Médoc), Occitanie (Lézignan-Corbières), and Provence-Rhône (Toulon), providing end-to-end project support from initial property search through transaction completion and ongoing estate management.

WI&NE monetizes primarily through membership dues from expert professionals and referral arrangements between members when client transactions span multiple service domains. Its go-to-market combines sales-led engagement (direct outreach, founder-led consultation) with event-driven marketing, including an annual member celebration (the 10th anniversary was held in June 2024 at the Grand-Théâtre de Bordeaux under the patronage of Pierre Lurton) and participation in industry events such as Vinexpo Asia-Pacific. Trilingual website support (French, English, Chinese) and a dedicated partnership with Vinibridge reflect a strategic emphasis on international (notably Asian) buyers of French wine estates.

The association's competitive position rests on the density and multi-generational expertise of its member roster (e.g., Étude Benedetti since 1617, Erbslöh France since 1895, SICSOE since 1985, INVEST-BORDEAUX since 2008) rather than proprietary technology. Notable member-firm clients include Château Petrus, Château Mouton Rothschild, Lynch-Bages, and Grands Chais de France. WI&NE has no publicly disclosed revenue, no funding rounds, and no direct software product; its "platform" is the network itself and the trust embedded in long-standing member relationships.

Name

Wi&ne

Legal name

WI&NE (Association loi 1901)

Website

https://wi-ne.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WI&NE is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 2014 that connects wine and spirits investors with a curated network of 40+ specialized experts across France's Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, and Provence-Rhône wine regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine Industry Advisory Services

NAICS

Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers (4251)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAOAIAC

Alcohol Brokers, Agents & Route-to-Market Services

Consumer Products & Retail/Wholesale, Distribution & Category Management/Alcohol, Tobacco & Cannabis Wholesale Distribution

Keywords

• Wine property transactions
• Viticulture advisory services
• Wine investment consulting
• French wine region network
• Wine industry professional services

Headquarters

HQ city

Le Taillan-médoc

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Expert Network Membership and Referral: WI&NE operates as an association (loi 1901) connecting investors with expert members. Revenue flows through membership fees from expert professionals and referral arrangements between network members for client transactions in wine property acquisitions, sales, and management services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Wi&ne is a French non-profit association (Association loi 1901) founded in 2014 that operates a curated network of 40+ expert service providers serving wine and spirits investors and property owners across three French wine regions: Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, and Provence-Rhône. It connects investors with specialised professionals covering wine property transactions, legal, fiscal, insurance, architecture, and logistics services.

Product overview

Wi&ne is a professional association (Association loi 1901) that operates as a network connecting wine and spirits investors with specialized expert service providers across France. The association does not offer a unified software product; rather, it provides access to a curated network of professionals offering services in wine property acquisition and sale, viticultural technical support, legal counsel (including M&A, tax, trademarks, labor law), accounting and audit, wine brokerage, logistics solutions, insurance, construction, and environmental consultancy. Services are delivered through member companies and are accessible based on geographic zone (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Provence-Rhône) and project type (buying, selling, investing, managing a property).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wine property transaction services Referral and coordination of experts assisting investors and owners with the purchase or sale of wine estates in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, and Provence-Rhône.
• Legal advisory services (wine sector) Access to legal experts specialised in wine and spirits matters for transactions, estate transfers, and regulatory questions, serving investors and estate owners.
• Fiscal advisory services (wine sector) Fiscal and tax advisory support for wine and spirits investors and estate operators, delivered by expert members of the association.
• Insurance services (wine sector) Insurance advisory and broking services tailored to wine estates and spirits businesses, offered by expert members of the Wi&ne network.
• Architecture and property services (wine sector) Architecture and property advisory for wine estates, including winery buildings, cellars, and related infrastructure, provided by expert members of the association.
• Logistics services (wine sector) Logistics services for wine and spirits businesses, including transport, storage, and supply-chain support, provided by network members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90 successful wine property transactions completed by INVEST-BORDEAUX and Patrice Besse partnership
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• MaNo Wine ConsultcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Wine merchant founded by Mathias Noguera with 15 years export experience. Sells nearly 2 million bottles worldwide with 85% export activities. Operates four groupage warehouses in Tours, Bordeaux, Avignon, and Toulouse. Acquired Vignobles et Terroirs de France export business in 2020.
• INVEST-BORDEAUX (Vignes à Vendre)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008WI&NE's core wine property transaction specialist, led by David Lawton. Specializes exclusively in wine sector property sales, acquisitions, and transmissions. Holder of Professional Card No.335-19-3393 issued by the Prefecture of Gironde. Has completed numerous transactions with French and foreign investors since 2008.
• ÉNERGIE CONCEPTcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2006Fluid and thermal engineering design office specializing in energy efficiency and energy-saving technologies for the wine industry. Operating in Bordeaux region since 2006. Projects include Château Petrus, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Calon Ségur, Château La Garde, and international projects including Château Marsyas in Lebanon.
• SICSOE - Solution Vin LogistiquecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 1985Wine logistics expert since 1985. Services include secure 22,000 m² facility near Bordeaux, cuverie and specialized laboratory, three bottling lines including 8,000 bottles/hour high-performance line, 6,000 m² vault for Grand Crus storage. Holds five certifications: BRC Grade A, IFS Level Higher, Agriculture Biologique ECOCERT, ISO 14001, OEA.
• Patrice Besse Group (Châteaux et Demeures de France)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1924National network specializing in sale of character properties including wine estates. Three generations, 170+ professionals. Has exclusively worked with INVEST-BORDEAUX for several years, successfully negotiating over 90 wine property transactions together.
• Étude Benedetti (Benedetti et Grosjean Notaires)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEstablished notary office since 1617 in Aude. Specializes in wine sector transactions including sales, acquisitions, restructuring, and transfers. Comprises 3 notaries and 25 collaborators with dedicated international law service including bilingual jurists and remote communication capabilities.
• VinibridgecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialized in connecting Asian wine markets with French producers. Provides coordination services for international investors including sworn translation of legal documents, interpretation, and quality verification of wine properties. Led by Ann Truchasson.
• VISÉA COUTURIERsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner360° innovative turnkey solutions for winery productivity improvement. Services include design office (precision engineering), boilermaking and fabrication, HVAC engineering with certified refrigeration, and technical services across Nice to Montpellier and Lyon.
• BIGNON LEBRAYcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm specializing in merger and acquisition counsel for wine property transactions. Advises on legal and fiscal structures, acquisition due diligence, drafting legal documentation, interface with agricultural organizations (CDOA, SAFER), and assistance for foreign investors obtaining French residence permits.
• SAFER OccitaniesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLand operator for rural and periurban areas implementing general interest missions including agriculture revitalization, local development support, environment protection, and land observation. 24 employees across Occitanie region.
• Yannick REYREL ConseilssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWine estate management consulting covering property management, viticulture operations, vinification, aging, bottling control, and marketing/ commercialization including Primeurs campaign management and wine journalist relations.
• Erbslöh FrancesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDesigns, produces, and markets beverage technology products including food additives and auxiliaries for beer, cider, fruit juice, and wine markets. 30-person company based in Servian, established 1895, first French company in enological products market to achieve dual ISO 22000 – FSSC 22000 certification (2016).
• DUNE CONSTRUCTIONScoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral building company specializing in wine estate projects since 30 years. Projects span reception venues, vendanges areas, cuvier, barrel cellars, tasting rooms, bottling facilities, wine tourism, offices, and property renovation. Notable projects at Château Lynch-Bages, Château Labegorce, MOON HARBOUR whisky distillery, and Grands Chais de France facilities.
• AGENCE DE L'ARSENALsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBordeaux-based architecture firm specializing in winery design. Led by Christophe Massie, emphasizing that 'simple is best, less is more' with significant role in winemaking process where design choices influence final product.
• Marchais & AssociéssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIntellectual property law firm founded by Guillaume Marchais in 2001. Specializes in legal protection of trademarks, designs, copyright, internet domain names for wine throughout France. Teaches wine brand law and geographical indications at University of Burgundy and Master 2 of vine and wine law at University of Bordeaux.
• DERENONCOURT CONSULTANTScoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerViticultural and environmental consultancy led by Frédéric Massie. Services include winery design project support, vineyard establishment assistance, terroir mapping, viticultural operations, vinification management, soil quality assessment, phytosanitary monitoring, and biodiversity monitoring.
• Abeille AssurancessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of main insurers in French wine world. WI&NE member Philippe Thybaud operates as independent insurance intermediary and broker with mandate to underwrite all winegrower risks directly.
• Touton ArchitectessupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWinery architect providing services including existing building diagnosis, preliminary studies and pre-design programming, design and construction project management for wine estate construction, renovation, and extension projects.
• NEXT EditionsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite translation services for English and Spanish. Founder Nathalie Parent Dumoulin provides translation services for WI&NE articles and content.
• ŒnolysesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerŒnology analytical laboratory providing physicochemical analysis for quality control of musts and wines plus comprehensive advisory and technical assistance services. Certiphyto Conseil accredited laboratory with independent advisory services.
• Les CHAMPS du DROITsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal professional network dedicated to agricultural sector. Provides multidisciplinary support team including agricultural taxation, individual and estate taxation, donations, GFA holdings, executive taxation, wealth tax, and litigation services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB): Bordeaux wine trade body acting as a membership organization representing and connecting châteaux, brokers and négociants. Directly comparable as an industry association with curated member/expert structure and Bordeaux-focused investor outreach.
• Vitisphere: French wine-industry information network and professional portal serving growers, investors and intermediaries with news, classifieds and a service directory. Closest direct comparable to WI&NE's curated network of wine professionals accessible by region and project need.

Emerging players

• Cult Wines: London-based wine investment platform offering curated wine portfolios, storage and trading. Comparable as an emerging wine-investment marketplace, though focused on fine wine trading rather than full-service property transactions.
• International Wine Associates: US M&A and transaction advisory firm specialised in winery, vineyard and wine brand acquisitions. Comparable as a transaction-specialist intermediary in wine-property deals, though operating in a different geography.

Others

• Vinexposium: Organiser of major global wine and spirits trade fairs (Vinexpo Paris, Bordeaux, Asia). Comparable as an ecosystem player that connects wine producers, investors and trade professionals through events, similar to WI&NE's networking-driven approach.

Broad incumbents

• Sotheby's Wine: Global luxury auction and advisory house with a dedicated wine division covering advisory, auction and private sales. Comparable as a high-end broker/agent for fine-wine transactions and as an entry point for international collectors and family offices.
• Sopexa: Long-standing French food-and-wine marketing and trade agency providing international promotion, communications and market-entry services. Comparable in its role as an intermediary that connects French wine producers/properties with international buyer networks.
• Berry Bros. & Rudd: Historic UK wine merchant with merchanting, advisory and cellar-management services. Comparable as a trusted, multi-service wine intermediary serving both buyers and wine-property investors.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wi&ne

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Wi&ne