BLUE SIDE is the partner of reference on the whole Mediterranean border (Provence and Languedoc and Southern Rhone Valley) for transmissions and transfers-acquisitions of wine estates. We work with a variety of structures: from family vineyards vinified in cooperative wineries, to intermediate estates with private wineries, to large-scale operations and renowned estates.
As good connoisseurs of the subjects and problems encountered by the actors of the wine industry, we are able to analyze them, to confront them with the market and to integrate them into a transfer project including adapted answers for a fair valuation. Our objective is first of all to succeed in placing at the heart of the transfer, the transmission of the work accomplished, sometimes the work of a lifetime, always the fruit of a strong commitment.
BLUE SIDE is in daily contact with wine professionals and growers and makes it a point of honor to cultivate these essential relationships.
In this exceptional sector of wine transactions, confidentiality and discretion are a must. Transactions are complex and take place over time.
This implies a human, administrative, legal and technical preparation work within the framework of a determining mutual trust relationship.
When a mandate is entrusted to us, we carry out a very detailed study of the property and the vineyard. We then present the memorandum to a panel of clearly identified prospects who are contractually bound to respect the utmost confidentiality.
And for a perfect transparency, we periodically inform the seller of the prospects engaged on his file.
For more information, see our articles on the sale and transfer of a winery →
A wine estate is not just a property: it is an agricultural business, with land classified under an appellation, production facilities, stocks, contracts, customers and often employees. A general real estate agency mainly values the buildings and the setting. A specialist firm such as Blue Side analyzes the business itself, values the whole (land, buildings, equipment and business), prepares the technical and financial memorandum presented to buyers, structures the transaction (sale of assets or shares, Safer, authorizations) and draws on a network of buyers in the sector, which makes it possible to carry out some transactions off-market.
A wine estate is valued on the basis of several components: the vineyard land, assessed according to its appellation, its condition and local market benchmarks ; residential and farm buildings; production assets (vines, cellar, equipment); and the economic value of the business (brand, customer base, profitability). Its development potential, regulatory constraints and surroundings are also decisive. The final value results from an overall analysis, tested against market realities and buyers' expectations.
On average, it takes eight months to a year between the purchase offer and the signing of the notarial deed, or the closing in the case of a sale of shares. This period covers negotiations, audits, the lifting of conditions precedent, obtaining any authorizations and the Safer procedures. The simplest transactions can be completed in six months, while complex deals may take two years or more. A successful sale is prepared well in advance, with a complete technical and financial file and a clarified legal and tax position. The steps from the buyer's side are detailed in our buyer's guide.
Yes. A specialist firm such as Blue Side can present the estate in a targeted way to qualified buyers, through a memorandum provided after signature of a non-disclosure agreement, without any public advertising. This is often the choice of owners who wish to protect their teams, customers and partners during the sale.
Selling shares transfers the company as a whole, with its assets, contracts and employees, but also its debts and commitments. It generally involves in-depth audits and the negotiation of a warranty covering assets and liabilities (garantie d'actif et de passif).
Selling assets, on the other hand, means selling the real estate, equipment and business directly, depending on how they are held across the various legal entities. It requires organizing the transfer of any contracts and authorizations, without necessarily leading to the dissolution of the selling companies.
These transactions are subject to specific rules, notably regarding land control and the Safer's involvement. Since 2023, the Sempastous Act has also required administrative authorization for certain acquisitions of control of agricultural companies exceeding a significant enlargement threshold.
The choice of sale structure depends on the ownership structure, the tax consequences, the regulatory constraints and the respective interests of the seller and the buyer. It should be studied early on with your legal and tax advisors. See our articles on selling and handing over a wine estate.
This depends on the form of the sale (assets or shares), the seller's situation and the holding period. Several regimes can reduce or eliminate capital gains tax, subject to conditions: based on the level of the business's revenue (article 151 septies of the French Tax Code), upon retirement (article 151 septies A), or based on the value of the business sold (article 238 quindecies). The structure should be prepared in advance with a tax lawyer or a notary.
Finding a buyer relies on identifying qualified purchasers: private or institutional investors, family offices, wine groups or growers looking to expand. It draws on a specialized professional network and targeted marketing, adapted to the characteristics of the property and to confidentiality requirements. A realistic valuation and a rigorous presentation file are essential to attract interest and achieve a successful transaction.
Blue Side, a consulting, M&A and transaction firm specializing in wine estates and based in Gassin (Var), assists owners with the sale and handover of their estate. It operates mainly in Provence, the Languedoc and the southern Rhône Valley, and extends its expertise to the rest of France and Europe for specific transactions. Contact: contact@blueside.fr, +33 (0)4 94 43 83 00.
FAQ updated November 2026
You wish to sell your wine property or simply study this project, to get an idea of its value and the course of operations?
We are at your disposal to discuss these issues with you in complete confidentiality.
