Known to be the biggest private estate in Bourgogne, with its 20 hectares, the Château de Pommard was sold, last week, to Michael Baum, a rich American entrepreneur.
The 50 year-old boss made his fortune by creating high technology businesses in the heart of the Silicon Valley, in California, an area known for its cutting-edge industries. More specifically, he is behind the creation of the Internet site founder.org, aiming at stimulating student entrepreneurship.
The 300 year-old Château, owned by the Laplanche family, since 1936, had already been bought, in 2003, by Maurice Giraud, founder of the Savoyard high-end residences business, MGM Constructeur. Mr. Giraud is behind some colossal projects at Château de Pommard: enormous renovation projects, numerous investments in the vineyard and its tools, as well as an « art centre », in 2004, created to host photo and craft exhibitions, as well as works of art by Dali and Miro. The Château has a beautiful French garden and a gastronomic restaurant.
It is thanks to Maurice Giraud, that the Château de Pommard is able to welcome more than 35 000 visitors each year. He has become the motor for oenotourism on the Côte-d’Or.
It was then Michael Baum’s turn to be seduced and buy the magnificent estate, without changing either the values of the Château, or the staff, he confirmed.
The Château de Pommard produces 80.000 bottles of Château Pommard and 20.000 bottles of Clos du Château, each year, all sold on the estate. The annual turnover is of 6 million euros. The total amount of the sale has not, however, been released.