Vignobles et Caves de Valence
 | |
| Type | Public company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Viticulture, Winemaking |
| Founded | 1689 AN in Chambery, Valencia |
| Founder(s) | Henri-Louis de Montferrand |
| Headquarters |
 Nouvelle Alexandrie |
| Number of locations | 42 estates, 6 production facilities |
| Area served |
Nouvelle Alexandrie, Raspur Pact,global export markets |
| Key people |
Marguerite de Montferrand-Leclerc (Chairwoman) Jean-Baptiste Duvernay (CEO) Olivier Beaumont (Chief Winemaker) |
| Products |
Red wine White wine Rose wine Mousseux de Chambery Valencia Royal Fortified wine Brandy |
| Revenue | ▲ NAX€2.18 billion (1749 AN) |
| Operating income | ▲ NAX€348 million (1749 AN) |
| Net income | ▲ NAX€267 million (1749 AN) |
| Total assets | NAX€4.12 billion (1749 AN) |
| Employees | 6,400 permanent; 18,000 seasonal (1749 AN) |
Vignobles et Caves de Valence (Alexandrian for Vineyards and Cellars of Valencia) is a New Alexandrian wine producer headquartered in Chambery, Valencia. Founded in 1689 AN by Henri-Louis de Montferrand, an Alexandrian nobleman who acquired landholdings in southern Keltia following the establishment of Valencia as a Region of the Federation, the company operates 42 vineyard estates totaling approximately 28,000 hectares across the coastal hills and river valleys of Valencia. Vignobles et Caves de Valence is the largest wine producer in Nouvelle Alexandrie and ranks among the ten largest wine companies globally by volume. The company holds a Royal Warrant from King Manco Capac I, granted in 1712 AN, designating it as an official supplier to the Royal Household. The firm is publicly traded on the Nouvelle Alexandrie Stock Exchange, with the de Montferrand family retaining a 46 percent controlling stake through a family trust.
History
Henri-Louis de Montferrand arrived in Valencia in 1688 AN as part of the wave of Alexandrian settlers who established the Region's agricultural foundations. Recognizing the suitability of the coastal hills for viticulture, de Montferrand acquired 1,200 hectares of land near Chambery and planted the first commercial vineyards in the Region the following year. The maritime climate, characterized by warm dry summers, mild winters, and cooling coastal breezes, proved ideal for grape cultivation. By 1710 AN, the estate had expanded to 4,800 hectares and was producing wines that commanded premium prices in Alduria and the Wechua Nation.
The company incorporated in 1718 AN and began acquiring smaller vineyard operations throughout Valencia during the 1720s and 1730s. The construction of the Grand Cave de Chambery in 1724 AN, a vast underground cellar complex carved into the limestone hills south of the city, established the company's reputation for producing aged wines of exceptional quality. The firm listed on the Nouvelle Alexandrie Stock Exchange in 1736 AN, raising capital for further expansion into sparkling wine and brandy production.
Throughout the mid-18th century, Vignobles et Caves de Valence invested heavily in modern winemaking technology while maintaining traditional methods for its premium vintages. The company established its own cooperage, Tonnellerie Montferrand, in 1742 AN to ensure consistent barrel quality for aging. Export operations expanded significantly following the East Keltian Collapse, as the company captured market share previously held by producers in collapsed states.
Royal warrant
King Manco Capac I granted a Royal Warrant to Vignobles et Caves de Valence on 14 Estivis (VIII) 1712 AN, following a state visit to Valencia during which the monarch toured the Domaine de Montferrand and the Grand Cave de Chambery. The warrant designated the company as an official supplier of wines and spirits to the Royal Household and authorized the display of the royal coat of arms on bottles destined for the palace cellars. To commemorate the royal visit, the company introduced Valencia Royal, a non-vintage brut Mousseux de Chambery that would become its flagship export label.
The warrant was renewed by King Sinchi Roca I in 1720 AN and again by Sinchi Roca II in 1738 AN. The company maintains a dedicated production line for royal orders, with wines selected by the Chief Winemaker for their quality and aging potential. Annual deliveries to the Palace of Carranza average 4,200 bottles, comprising both current releases and aged vintages from the reserve cellars.
Operations
The company operates 42 vineyard estates across all five states of Valencia: Chambery, Mayenne, Lesve, New Franciscania, and Cardozo. Plantings encompass both traditional Alexandrian varieties and cultivars developed specifically for Valencia's terroir.
Red grape varieties include cepage valencien, noir de montferrand, rouge imperial, and the indigenous tinto costero. White varieties include blanc de chambery, dorada valenciana, perle du sud, and argent lyricain. Total vineyard area under cultivation reached 28,400 hectares in 1749 AN.
The flagship Domaine de Montferrand, surrounding the original estate near Chambery, produces the company's most prestigious wines under the Clos de Montferrand label. Annual production from this 860-hectare property is limited to approximately 320,000 bottles, with prices for reserve vintages reaching NAX€400 per bottle in export markets.
Production facilities
Wine production takes place at six facilities strategically located across Valencia. The principal facility at Chambery processes approximately 45 percent of total grape intake and houses the Grand Cave de Chambery aging cellars, which maintain 84,000 barrels of wine at any given time. Secondary facilities at Mayenne, New Franciscania, and three smaller regional locations handle crush operations and initial fermentation before selected wines are transported to Chambery for aging and blending.
The Distillerie de la Cote, located on the western peninsula near Trevoux, produces brandy and grape-based spirits from wine unsuitable for bottling and from pomace remaining after pressing. Annual brandy production of approximately 2.4 million litres includes both young spirits for blending and aged brandies matured up to 25 years in oak.
Cooperage
Tonnellerie Montferrand operates the only large-scale cooperage in Valencia, producing approximately 18,000 oak barrels annually. The cooperage sources oak primarily from managed forests in South Lyrica and North Lyrica, supplemented by imported staves from Natopia. Approximately 60 percent of barrel production supplies the parent company's aging requirements, with the remainder sold to other wineries throughout the Federation and the Raspur Pact.
Mousseux de Chambery
Mousseux de Chambery is a style of sparkling wine originated by Vignobles et Caves de Valence in 1698 AN and now produced under a protected appellation covering the limestone hill country surrounding Chambery. The term derives from the Alexandrian word mousseux (sparkling) and refers exclusively to sparkling wines produced within the designated appellation zone using the traditional bottle fermentation method developed by the company's founder.
Origins
Henri-Louis de Montferrand discovered in 1697 AN that wines stored in the limestone caves beneath his estate underwent a secondary fermentation during spring, producing natural effervescence. Rather than treating this as a defect, de Montferrand experimented with controlling the process, developing techniques for inducing and managing the secondary fermentation to produce consistently sparkling wines. By 1698 AN, he had refined the method sufficiently to offer the first commercial bottles of what he termed vin mousseux de Chambery.
The key innovation was the methode chamberoise, a process involving the addition of a precise mixture of sugar and yeast to still wine before sealing in thick glass bottles capable of withstanding the pressure generated during fermentation. The bottles are aged on their lees for a minimum of 15 months, during which the wine develops its characteristic fine bubbles and complex flavors. A process called remuage gradually moves the sediment to the bottle neck, where it is expelled through degorgement before final corking.
Appellation
The Appellation Mousseux de Chambery was formally established in 1726 AN by decree of the Regional Governor of Valencia, with the support of King Manco Capac I, who had expressed admiration for the wine during his 1712 AN visit. The appellation defines strict production requirements:
- Grapes must be grown within the designated zone encompassing 12,400 hectares of limestone hillsides within 40 kilometres of Chambery;
- Only approved varieties may be used: blanc de chambery, perle du sud, and noir de montferrand (for rose);
- Maximum yield of 10,000 kilograms per hectare;
- Minimum aging on lees of 15 months for standard cuvees and 36 months for vintage-dated bottles;
- Secondary fermentation must occur in bottle using the methode chamberoise;
- Bottles must display the appellation seal certifying compliance with production standards.
Vignobles et Caves de Valence produces approximately 78 percent of all Mousseux de Chambery, with the remainder produced by 14 smaller estates within the appellation zone. Total annual production of appellation-certified sparkling wine reached 31.4 million litres in 1749 AN.
Valencia Royal
Valencia Royal is the company's flagship non-vintage brut, introduced in 1712 AN to mark the royal visit of King Manco Capac I. The cuvee blends blanc de chambery (70 percent) and perle du sud (30 percent) from estate vineyards on the Cote de Montferrand, aged 18 months on lees before disgorgement. Annual production exceeds 12 million bottles, representing approximately 28 percent of the appellation's total output.
The label's distinctive gold crown emblem has made it synonymous with New Alexandrian celebration in international markets. Valencia Royal is served at Federal Navy ship christenings, diplomatic residences throughout the Raspur Pact, and establishments including the Blackfriars' Redux in Tiegang.
Cultural significance
Mousseux de Chambery has become the traditional celebratory beverage of Nouvelle Alexandrie, served at state functions, royal occasions, and formal events throughout the Federation. The wine is customarily used for christening naval vessels, toasting at weddings, and marking the new year. King Sinchi Roca II reportedly maintains a personal cellar of over 2,000 bottles of vintage Mousseux de Chambery at the Palace of Carranza.
The Bureau de Certification Viticole vigorously defends the appellation against unauthorized use of the Mousseux de Chambery designation. In 1744 AN, the Bureau successfully prosecuted three producers in South Lyrica for marketing sparkling wines under labels deemed misleadingly similar to the protected appellation.
Products
Vignobles et Caves de Valence produces wines across all major categories, from everyday table wines to limited-production prestige cuvees.
| Year | Red wine | White wine | Rose | Mousseux | Fortified | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1740 AN | 124.6 | 78.4 | 32.1 | 18.4 | 8.2 | 261.7 |
| 1741 AN | 131.2 | 82.6 | 34.2 | 19.8 | 8.6 | 276.4 |
| 1742 AN | 138.4 | 87.2 | 36.4 | 21.2 | 9.1 | 292.3 |
| 1743 AN | 142.8 | 90.1 | 37.8 | 22.4 | 9.4 | 302.5 |
| 1744 AN | 148.6 | 94.2 | 39.6 | 23.8 | 9.8 | 316.0 |
| 1745 AN | 156.2 | 99.4 | 42.1 | 25.6 | 10.4 | 333.7 |
| 1746 AN | 162.4 | 103.8 | 44.2 | 27.2 | 10.8 | 348.4 |
| 1747 AN | 168.8 | 108.6 | 46.4 | 28.8 | 11.2 | 363.8 |
| 1748 AN | 174.2 | 112.4 | 48.2 | 30.2 | 11.6 | 376.6 |
| 1749 AN | 178.6 | 115.8 | 49.8 | 31.4 | 12.0 | 387.6 |
| 10-year growth rate | +48.1% | |||||
Principal brands
The company markets wines under multiple brands targeting different market segments:
- Clos de Montferrand - Premium estate wines from the original Domaine de Montferrand, aged minimum 24 months in oak. Prices range from NAX€85 to NAX€400 per bottle.
- Reserve de Valence - Regional wines sourced from estate vineyards across Valencia, aged 12 to 18 months. Prices range from NAX€28 to NAX€65 per bottle.
- Les Coteaux - Mid-market wines blended from multiple estates for consistent quality and style. Prices range from NAX€12 to NAX€24 per bottle.
- Vin du Soleil - Entry-level wines for everyday consumption, sold primarily through grocery and convenience channels. Prices range from NAX€6 to NAX€11 per bottle.
- Valencia Royal - Flagship non-vintage brut Mousseux de Chambery, the most widely distributed sparkling wine from the appellation. Prices range from NAX€32 to NAX€45 per bottle.
- Bulles de Chambery - Additional Mousseux de Chambery sparkling wines, including vintage-dated and prestige cuvees. Prices range from NAX€24 to NAX€180 per bottle.
- Eau-de-Vie de Montferrand - Brandy and grape spirits aged between 3 and 25 years.
Market position
Vignobles et Caves de Valence commands approximately 34 percent of domestic wine sales in Nouvelle Alexandrie by volume and 41 percent by value, reflecting its strong position in premium segments. The company is the dominant producer in Valencia, controlling an estimated 68 percent of the Region's total wine output. Principal domestic competitors include Domaines de la Riviera of Alduria and Societe Agricole Lyricaine of South Lyrica.
Export sales contribute approximately 38 percent of total revenue. Natopia represents the largest export market at NAX€312 million annually, followed by Constancia (NAX€186 million), Shireroth (NAX€142 million), and Floria (NAX€98 million). The company maintains distribution agreements in 46 countries and operates sales offices in Lindstrom, Vey, Shirekeep, and Northcliff. Valencia Royal accounts for approximately 44 percent of export volume, serving as the primary driver of brand recognition in international markets.
Appellation and certification
Valencia established a regional appellation system in 1712 AN, administered by the Bureau de Certification Viticole, to protect the identity and quality of wines produced in the Region. Vignobles et Caves de Valence played a leading role in developing the appellation standards and maintains certification for all estate-bottled wines.
The company holds organic certification for approximately 8,400 hectares (30 percent of total vineyard area) under standards harmonized with the Raspur Pact. An additional 6,200 hectares are certified under the Viticulture Durable program, which establishes requirements for sustainable farming practices including integrated pest management, water conservation, and biodiversity preservation.
