The famous Beaujolais winemaker and négociant Georges Duboeuf died at the age of 86 in his home village of Romanèche-Thorins. Duboeuf and his wine companies were considered the personification of Beaujolais. They produce wines in all Grand- and Premier Cru sites of the region. In 1950 he sold the wines of his family winery to good restaurants for the first time, and in 1964 he entered the business as a négociant.
He is also regarded as the inventor of the "Beaujolais Nouveau" campaign, which is still successful worldwide. Duboeuf turned the Beaujolais Nouveau Festival in the 1970s, which was only locally significant in Beaujolais, into a globally successful event. Politicians and celebrities, famous star chefs such as Paul Bocuse served menus at the festival in the growing region.
His wine companies currently produce around 30 million bottles per vintage, which are exported worldwide.
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