Smaller French winemakers turn to crowdfunding

Paris

FRENCH winemakers are looking for new investors, and for 1,000 euros (S$1,534) they'll let anyone in.

Bordeaux-based entrepreneur Maxime Debure says producers in his famous wine-making region, and others like it, need money and they are opening up to raising it online from private investors with smaller tickets. The 38-year-old oenologist quit a job running two Bordelais chateaus to create a crowdfunding website, called Wine-Funding, that lets anyone buy a stake in wine domains that are just starting, renovating or expanding.