CAVAVIN marks 40 years with grand celebration in Saint-Émilion

The year 1985 was a different era. The USSR still existed, the internet was unheard of, and a bottle of Pétrus sold for around 250 francs EP (approximately €38). That same year, the CAVAVIN network was founded in La Baule by Michel Bourel. Four decades later, it has grown into France’s leading franchised wine retailer, with a presence that extends well beyond its borders.
Today, CAVAVIN counts 150 shops in France and 25 abroad, representing 1,650 wine and spirit references and achieving an annual turnover of €69 million. To mark its 40th anniversary, the company hosted a two-day event in Saint-Émilion that brought together franchisees, partner producers, and members of the wine trade from across France and overseas.
The celebrations began with the Salon, held in the heart of Saint-Émilion, where 140 producers from across France and abroad presented their wines and spirits to franchisees and guests. The event reflected the diversity and dynamism of the company’s portfolio, which spans both long-standing partnerships with family-owned domaines and newer collaborations with innovative producers.
The evening culminated in a gala dinner at Château Fonroque, a biodynamic Grand Cru Classé estate, attended by 450 guests. The dinner celebrated not only CAVAVIN’s commercial success, but also the network’s shared values of authenticity, accessibility, and respect for craftsmanship.
The following day, attendees took part in a series of estate visits offering an in-depth look at the viticultural identity of Saint-Émilion. The itinerary included:

• Château Ausone, one of Bordeaux’s most iconic and historic properties, where Édouard and Camille Vauthier welcomed guests to explore the estate’s limestone terraces and its enduring legacy.
• Château Fleur de Lisse, under the direction of Caroline Teycheney, a leading example of modern biodynamic viticulture in the appellation.
• Château de Roquemont, CAVAVIN’s own estate located in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, just south of Saint-Émilion.

Acquired by CAVAVIN in 2018, Château de Roquemont represents the group’s commitment to maintaining a tangible link with the world of production. The property covers nine hectares of vineyards planted on gravel and sandy-clay soils near the Dordogne River. The wines are crafted under the guidance of consultant oenologist Éric Boissenot, reflecting a supple, fruit-forward style typical of the southern reaches of the Saint-Émilion appellation. Roquemont also serves as a pedagogical and promotional site for the CAVAVIN network, hosting tastings, training sessions, and events designed to deepen franchisees’ understanding of the winemaking process.
For founder Michel Bourel, CAVAVIN’s 40th anniversary represents both a moment of reflection and a reaffirmation of purpose. “Since our beginnings, we have sought to democratise wine culture,” Bourel noted. “Our mission remains to promote authentic, exclusive wines that are accessible to all.”
CAVAVIN’s franchise model, built around independent wine merchants, allows each outlet to maintain its own local identity while benefiting from the group’s national support structure. The company’s reach now extends well beyond France, with stores in England, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and overseas territories including French Guiana, La Réunion, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Republic of the Congo.
By Valeria Tenison