Buying a winery is not like buying a house or merely acquiring property. Unfortunately the abundance of new wealth in China has led to some cross cultural misunderstandings.
Despite the ordinary and undistinguished nature of these wines, many are sold at quite high prices in China.
Passion & Culture
While I respect the economic raison de faire for investment in vineyards, I most admire another type of investor, the ones that invest not only for monetary reasons but for the love and appreciation of something beautiful. Not pretending to be all encompassing, I will look at three investors who made the decision to buy wineries more for the passion than for the money. Perhaps, because of their deep commitment and respect for winemaking all three are also making a profit.
The leader
If I had to pick one man as an example of all the positives that Chinese investment can have for a winery, a region and even cross cultural ties it would have to be Peter Kwow. His first winery Haut Brisson is generally acknowledged as the best Chinese owned winery in the world making acclaimed wines that garner lofty scores and prizes. No Chinese businesman invested earlier or better than Peter. Recently his 2009 Chateau Haut Brisson Reserve received 95 points from American critic Robert Parker. Winery owners anywhere would be well justified to rest on such estimed laurels, but not Peter Kwow. He has now purchased two more chateaux in Bordeaux, another Saint Emilion property and one in Pomerol. His goal is no longer to just make a very fine wine; he’s been there and done that, rather he now endeavors to make one of the world’s greatest wines. Perhaps no other individual or case so clearly exhibits the confidence and sagacity of Chinese investment in the wine world.
I’ve had the privilege to befriend Peter Kwow and over the course of our friendship I’ve learned one very important thing about this gentleman. Once he sets his mind and resources to something, never doubt him. I do believe that in the future one of his wines will be at the level of the world’s best wines in the rarified confines of Lafite, Latour and other prestigious icons. And perhaps with the growing number of astute and passionate Chinese investors he won’t be alone. As a wine lover who has spent most of his life in China I find this an extremely gratifying prospect.
More passionate
All three of these investors in wineries are helping to build a positive name and future for Chinese investment in wineries across the globe.
