Champagne Collet Eyes U.S. Expansion

With the Champagne market on an impressive growth trend in the U.S., ambitious players of all sizes are investing aggressively to raise their profiles. Among the smaller labels positioning themselves for significant gains is Champagne Collet, which has recently consolidated its U.S. business with Napa importer Old Bridge Cellars and set the goal of roughly tripling volume to about 15,000 cases within the next five years.

Collet, which has had a regional presence in the U.S., is now being expanded nationally. Nicolas Feuillatte veteran Pascal Boye, who joined Collet as vice president for the U.S. 18 months ago, tells SND that the brand will be present in the top 20 Champagne markets—comprising 80% of consumption—by the end of this year, with further expansion to follow.

Old Bridge is marketing a number of different wines from Collet, all sourced from premier and grand cru vineyards. The range includes an NV Brut Art Deco ($45), NV Brut Rosé ($55) Blanc de Blancs ($50), Brut Vintage Collection Privée ($70) and top-end Esprit Couture ($120). Upscale on-premise accounts and independent retailers are the main focus.

Global commercial and marketing director Bertrand Glory adds that Collet—which is owned by a cooperative of 850 growers farming 2,100 acres—has “the spirit of a grower brand but also the resources to push the brand like a large Champagne house.”

Globally, Collet currently sells about 60,000 cases annually, with exports comprising about 60% of the total, led by the U.K., U.S. and Japan. The goal is to roughly double its global volume over the next five years through a combination of U.S. growth and its international business, which is currently spread across 40 markets.—Daniel Marsteller

Tagged : Champagne Collet, Old Bridge Cellars

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