Maisons & Domaines Herriot conqueres US vineyard

French wine group Maisons & Domaines Henriot has taken majority ownership of Beaux Frères Vineyard in the US.

Family-owned Maisons & Domaines Henriot has taken over the Oregon-based pinot noir producer and its 88-acre vineyard which will continue to be managed by president Michael Etzel and his son Mike as co-head winemaker.

Michael Etzel, founder of Beaux Frères, said: “Thirty-one years ago, my young family moved to Oregon with the dream of planting Pinot Noir.

“I am so proud of the Beaux Frères team and of the Oregon wine industry.”

The US property was purchased in 1986 by Etzel and his brother-in-law, Robert Parker Jr.

Two years later Etzel and Parker planted five acres of pinot noir and the estate has since expanded to 25 vineyard acres.

Richard Moreau, CEO of Maisons & Domaines Henriot, has been made chairman of Beaux Frères Vineyard.

Moreau said: “With Champagne Henriot, Bouchard Père & Fils, William Fèvre, Château de Poncié and now Beaux Frères, we will be able to offer our customers a collection of some of the most exclusive and sought after wines in the world."