Champagne moment for local winemaker
Etienne Bizot, the great-nephew of Lily Bollinger and the sixth generation of the family to be involved in Champagne Bollinger, has joined Tapanappa Wines as a director.
Mr Bizot, who resides in Paris, is the managing director of Bollinger, lovingly known in Britain as "Bolly", one of the world's best-known champagne brands, with a pedigree going back to 1829.
The champagne house was awarded its first Royal Warrant of Appointment by Queen Victoria in 1884, making it the first official champagne of the British Empire.
But there is also a strong connection between Bollinger and Australia. Bollinger was an early investor in Petaluma before Mr Croser sold to Lion Nathan in 2001, and the champagne house later reunited with the winemaker in 2002 when he created Tapanappa.
Bollinger is a shareholder in Tapanappa, together with the Cazes family of the 150-year-old Chateau Lynch Bages. Current boss Jean-Charles Cazes is a director of Tapanappa.
It's not just business for Mr Croser, a 40-year wine industry veteran, but also family. Mr Crozer's daughter is married to Xavier Bizot, the general manager of Tapanappa and the son of a former Bollinger chairman, the late Christian Bizot.
Tapanappa, which is reportedly derived from the local Aboriginal language and may translate to "stick to the path", makes its wines from vineyards based around the Adelaide Hills in South Australia.
Mr Croser has been a vocal critic of the domination of the Australian liquor retail market by supermarket leaders Woolworths and Coles and has consistently stated he would resist selling wines from his Tapanappa label to the chains.
He is also a champion of Australia's wine industry, with a reputation for speaking his mind on government meddling, warning last year against a "carbon tax or mining tax on the wine industry".
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Etienne Bizot is the managing director of Champagne Bollinger and a sixth‑generation member of the Bollinger family. His joining Tapanappa Wines as a director formalises a close link between the Australian label and a globally recognised champagne house, highlighting international pedigree and established wine‑industry connections.
Tapanappa Wines is a privately owned company founded by Australian winemaker Brian Croser. Champagne Bollinger is a shareholder in Tapanappa, and the Cazes family — owners of Chateau Lynch Bages — are also involved as shareholders, with Jean‑Charles Cazes serving as a director.
Brian Croser founded Petaluma and Bollinger was an early investor in that business. Croser sold Petaluma to Lion Nathan in 2001, and in 2002 he founded Tapanappa, reuniting with Bollinger in the new venture.
Yes. Brian Croser’s family is closely involved: his daughter is married to Xavier Bizot, who is Tapanappa’s general manager and is the son of the late Christian Bizot of the Bollinger family, creating direct family links between management and Bollinger shareholders.
Tapanappa makes its wines from vineyards around the Adelaide Hills in South Australia. The name is reportedly derived from a local Aboriginal language and is said to possibly translate to 'stick to the path.'
Brian Croser has been a vocal critic of the dominance of supermarket chains Woolworths and Coles in the Australian liquor retail market and has consistently stated he would resist selling Tapanappa wines through those chains.
Yes. Champagne Bollinger is a shareholder in Tapanappa, and the Cazes family of Chateau Lynch Bages are also shareholders. Jean‑Charles Cazes from the Cazes family serves as a director of Tapanappa.
Yes. As a long‑time industry figure, Croser has warned against government measures he views as harmful to winemakers, explicitly cautioning last year about the potential impact of a 'carbon tax or mining tax on the wine industry.'
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