The Alma Cersius cellar will produce 120,000 hl of wine thanks to that of Hérépian

Marc Robert, the president of Alma Cersius, is pleased with the good results of his cellar. Gaelle Liot

La cave Alma Cersius exporte 80 % de sa production à l’étranger (Belgique, Pays-Bas, Angleterre, Japon). Gaelle Liot

The Alma Cersius group just acquired, on July 2, the Hérépian cooperative cellar. In the context of the economic crisis, this company is doing well thanks to an increase in its turnover, notably due to the export abroad of 80% of its merchandise. This merger promises many investments to come.

While the economic crisis rages in the country, the sun is shining for the Alma Cersius group, which has just acquired the Hérépian cooperative cellar on July 2. "This structure had difficulty selling its production in bulk. We were interested in the buyout because we wanted to enrich our wines, by blending various terroirs, the Cers-Portiragnes coastline, soubergue (limestone hillsides) of Puimisson and the foothills of the massif of Puimisson. ;Caroux-Espinouse, where Hérépian is located. These are complementary wines “, confie Marc Robert, president of the Alma Cersius winery. Stating: "The Hérépian vines grow on hillsides at an altitude of 450m. We will apply specifications to all cellars, depending on the weather. For example, the harvest will be triggered by the cooperative cellar".

The cooperative cellar of Puimission (bought by Alma Cersius in 2023) and that of Hérépian each produce, on average, 15,000 hl per year. "The surface area of ​​our farms increased from 1 100 ha to 1 600 ha. Our production rose to 80,000 hl with the purchase of Puimisson and should reach 120,000 hl with Hérépian.

80% of production sold abroad

In 2023, the Alma Cersius winery sold 8.3 million bottles and increased its sales by 15 %, this first quarter of 2024. "We have just sold 6,000 bottles in Kenya and we are currently exploring commercial markets in Africa and India". 80% of production is exported to Belgium, the Netherlands, England and Japan.

Across all of these farms, 200 winegrowers work on production. Twenty-five people sit on the board of directors of the Alma Cersius winery, which has 34 employees. "We are the largest company hiring in Cers. On the other hand, we contribute to the aesthetic appearance of the landscape and to the fight against fires via our vineyards".

To come, "a construction project for a building of 8 600 m2, which will be delivered in a year and a half “, between the Intermarché store and the housing estates, opposite the roundabout, at a place called la joie à Cers. This structure, "which waited 4 years before being validated by the’administration", will make it possible to reduce their costs, thanks to an on-site bottling line. A traffic jam truck was rented until now. "We plan to package 40 000 hl", specifies Marc Robert. Pallets of wine can be stored there and staff offices will be created. The architect Olivier Marty is the same one commissioned for the renovation of the market halls of Béziers and for the construction of the new headquarters of the Pays d’Oc in Lattes.

History of the Alma Cersius group

À At the origin of the history of the Alma Cersius group, several entities merged. In 1995, the Cers and Portiragnes cellars came together, in 2008 they are joining forces with Villeneuve-lès-Béziers, in 2023 with Puimisson and in 2024 with Hérépian. The cellar sells wines classified according to the IGP (Protected Geographical Indication): Coteau de Béziers (Cers ), Côte de Thongues (Puimisson) and Upper Orb valley (Hérépian). The cellar bears the indication high environmental value (sustainable agriculture). Among the grape varieties, we find Chardonnay, Merlot, Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Muscat. The major brands sold by the Alma Cersius winery are: Les pieds dans l’eau (gold medal 2023), In vino erotico, Miss Alma, Gardian. The 2023 vintages received nearly 200 medals.

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