Squirrels also like wine

The squirrel also likes wine

Taking over 95% of the estate, the Caisse d’Epargne is investing in a winegrowing estate in Anjou alongside a young couple who will buy back the shares within 5 to 7 years. A first in the region.

By Patrick Touchais

Clément Chaillet and Flora Burger have taken over Domaine Saint-Arnoul in the Anjou region with the
support of the Caisse d’Epargne. – photo credit: Patrick Touchais

At the end of 2024, Clément Chaillet and Flora Burger (both 27) officially took over Domaine Saint-Arnoul, a 34-hectare vineyard in Martigné-Briand, Anjou, with the support of Vinea Transaction Val de Loire. The young couple have experience in Champagne, Corsica and New Zealand. Flora has a BTS in viti-oeno and a degree in Vine Sciences, plus training as a tractor operator. Clément has the same qualifications, topped off with a DNO.

Like all future farmers, the two young people turned to the banks to finance their project. They were successful with the Caisse d’Epargne Bretagne-Pays de la Loire, which offered them a new formula. Instead of traditional financing, the bank decided to support them by buying the estate. To be precise, 95% of the capital. After 5 to 7 years, the young couple will buy back the bank’s shares in one go. This gives them time to launch the business over several years.

A first
‘This is a first’, says the Caisse d’Epargne. ‘We’ve had this idea for some time. We put it into practice with
with these two young enthusiasts, who presented us with a solid business plan’.

Clément and Flora decided to convert part of the estate to organic farming and to split it into two structures: one, Vignoble Saint Arnoul, for bottles dedicated to the estate’s loyal private clientele, and bulk wines for the wine trade, and the other, Domaine de la Rochaimé, covering 10.5 hectares and converted to organic farming, for vintages sold exclusively to professionals.