ASIAN INVESTORS FINALLY HIT THE JACKPOT: A CHINESE BUSINESSMAN, SUTONG PAN, BOUGHT CHATEAU LE BON PASTEUR, OWNED BY THE FLYING WINEMAKER MICHEL ROLLAND. IT’S THE FIRST GRAND CRU TO END UP IN ASIAN HANDS

Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol, owned by the ultimate flying winemaker Michel Rolland, was sold to a Chinese businessman. It is the first grand cru of Bordeaux that an Asian investor has bought. The, Chinese businessman, Pan Sutong, president of the holding Goldin Financial Holdings of Hong Kong and Chairman of the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, finalized the deal last December, although the final agreement was reached only this week.

The transaction took longer than usual because Le Bon Pasteur belonged to more than one member of the Rolland family. The price is top secret, but many are betting that the acquisition will become the new reference data for purchasing estates in the Bordeaux region.

The Rolland family has owned the estate since 1920. It has over 7 hectares of vineyards (for a total production of just over 1.000 cases of wine per year), with 80% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. In addition to Le Bon Pasteur the deal would include two other farms located on the so-called "right bank" also belonging to the Rolland family: Château Rolland-Maillet in St Emilion and Château Bertineau St Vincent in Lalande Pomerol, for a total of 16 acres. The Rolland corporate team should remain with the new ownership, although neither of the parties directly involved confirmed or denied it.