Domaine Lafage buys French wine cooperative GICB, pledges €10 million investment

French wine producer Domaine Lafage has completed the acquisition of the Groupement Interproducteurs Collioure Banyuls (GICB) cooperative after a Perpignan court upheld the takeover. The deal, valued at €1.5 million, makes Lafage the sole bidder and will see the business renamed Terrasses Vermeilles.

The new entity will bring together nearly 500 winegrowers, about 500 ha of vineyards and roughly 60% of production in the Banyuls and Collioure appellations. Domaine Lafage has committed to invest €10 million, retain most of GICB’s staff and raise the grape price from €1.70 to €2 per kilo. The investment also includes applying climate‑adaptation research to the Mediterranean vineyards of the region.

Laurent Barreda, president of the former GICB, welcomed the decision, while owner‑winemaker Jean‑Marc Lafage said the acquisition represents a responsibility to protect the region’s viticulture and future.