by Michèle Shah

Avignonesi, one of Tuscany’s most renowned estates, has sold the majority of its shares to Virginie Saverys, one of the directors of the maritime company Compagnie Maritime Belge NV, based in Anvers.

Saverys had already previously purchased 30% of the shares of Avignonesi through the Belgium stock company ‘Victrix’ a year ago when Ettore Falvo decided to leave Avignonesi.

Though no purchase figure has been disclosed, the deal, which was finalized in mid July, also includes the company ‘Classica’, Avignonesi’s distribution company for wines, liqueurs and spirits.

The Falvo family will remain owners of the Masseria Li Veli, a wine estate purchased in 1999 in Puglia, as well as of 10% of Avignonesi shares, maintaining Alberto Falvo as President for the next five years.

Situated in Montepulciano and known worldwide for its top label, a Vin Santo ‘Occhio di Pernice’, Avignonesi comprises four farm estates: Le Capezzine, I Poggetti, La Selva and La Lombarda, all in the area of Montepulciano, with a total of 225 hectares of land of which 109 hectares are planted to vineyard producing some 700,000 bottles per year. Avignonesi wines are distributed worldwide in 37 countries, of which the main export markets include: USA, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Belgium and UK.