Languedoc Co-operative group ‘Union des Terroirs de la Voie Domitienne’ has bought a 45% stake in wine-trader Friedmann wines, based in the Sainte-Cecile-Les-Vignes commune. With this deal the co-operative group, based in Cournonsec, strengthens its partnership with the trading company, from whom they already purchase 5000 hectolitres of wine a year.

Friedmann wines have been in the business now for three generations. They generated a turnover figure of 18 million Euros in 2009, selling volumes close to 250,000 hectolitres, 90% of which passes through their cellar, which has a 25,000 hectolitre capacity. Their customers are both domestic and international wine traders, who distribute their own range of wines and wine to other brands.
Up until now the only shareholder has been Rémi Friedmann. Friedmann was approached a few months ago by the Union, and he was tempted by the idea of evolving the production side of the company: ‘‘This new partnership will allow us to consolidate our supply chain, but in the first place it will enable us to offer our customers a greater range of products, adapted to their needs.’’