Domaine Lafage Acquires Local Wine Cooperative GICB
French winery Domaine Lafage has acquired the local wine cooperative Groupement Interproducteurs Collioure Banyuls (GICB), which was placed under court-ordered administration due to nearly €20 million in debt. The acquisition, confirmed via a LinkedIn post and reported by Ici, saw Domaine Lafage as the sole bidder paying €1.5 million for GICB before pledging an additional €10 million investment. GICB, established in 1863 with up to 199 employees at its peak, specializes in still wines and operates within the Côte Vermeille region of France. Domaine Lafage plans to rename it Terrasses Vermeilles and retain most staff while preserving key elements such as historic sites and iconic brands. The new venture will unite nearly 500 producers across approximately 500 hectares, representing about 60% of the production in Banyuls and Collioure wine regions. Domaine Lafage also aims to apply climate adaptation strategies from its Mediterranean vineyards to strengthen resilience within these appellations.