Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Co, one of China’s leading wine producers, has bought a 90% stake in the Bordeaux-based Chateau Mirefleurs for €3.33 million. Chateau Mirefleurs belongs to French drinks company Castel Group. The acquisition allows Changyu to gain Appellation d’Origine Controlée, a quality certification granted to certain French wines, cheese and agricultural products. The deal marks the second venture between the Shandong province-based Changyu and Castel. In 2002, the two built China’s first professional winery – Yantai Changyu Castel Chateau. Chateau Mirefleurs grows 55 hectares of vines, planted on south-facing slopes. It can produce 250,000 bottles annually, and has two registered trademarks – Chateau Mirefleurs and Chateau Techeney. The operation made a €40,000 loss last year, after being forced to drop its prices, but Sun Jian, Changyu’s Deputy General Manager, expects it to return to the black once more of its high-quality bottles are sold in China. Changyu is looking to buy more assets in Bordeaux and other areas of France, as well as in other wine-producing countries including Australia and Chile. Changyu already owns the French cognac house Roullet-Fransac Chateau, which it bought in 2013, and Spanish wine producer Marques del Atrio, acquired in September this year for €26.25 million, the China Daily reports.