The
Broker

What does a wine broker do?

Wine brokers are essential go-betweens, communicators and strategists.


Their role?

To bridge the gap between winemakers and negociants, selecting the finest wines and ensuring that transactions are completed to the satisfaction of both parties. Brokers need to be fine connoisseurs of the Bordeaux market and ecosystem, as well as skillful negotiators and impartial advisers, capable of assessing the quality of a vintage and anticipating market trends. Ultimately, they ensure that contracts are honored.

What does an average working day look like for a wine broker?

The morning might start with a visit to a family-owned estate to taste the latest wines and discuss the samples with the winegrower. In the afternoon, the big decisions are often made at the Place de Bordeaux. From official prices to En Primeur releases and discussions with negociants, no two days are alike, but some things never change: every decision and every word counts. These days, 75% of transactions between owners (sellers) and negociants (buyers) are facilitated by brokers, which is testament to the importance of their work.

Bordeaux has around one hundred dedicated wine brokers, with a very detailed knowledge of the transactions which are an integral part of their daily life. Their understanding of the market enables them to advise the various stakeholders involved in determining release prices. A mediating force above all, they organize sales and guarantee their smooth completion.

Being a broker is all about navigating an ever-changing landscape, striking a constant balance between tradition and innovation. Tasting, comparing, advising, but also spotting emerging market trends and building lasting relationships based on trust. Brokers are the invisible connection between the work that goes on in the vineyards and the commercial dynamism of Bordeaux as a whole, making sure that every wine fits into that story.