Gencel, a wine cellar in Cannes since 1937
In the heart of Cannes, just a stone’s throw from the Forville market and the narrow streets of Le Suquet, the Gencelwine cellar brings together under one roof a contemporary wine cellar, a wine bar and a range of bespoke services. Building on the legacy of a wine cellar founded in 1937, it cultivates a passion for carefully selected wines and now provides this expertise to wine enthusiasts, professionals, private villas and yachts across the French Riviera, with the same high standards and the same desire to share. Hervé & Julien will guide you with genuine attention and an in-depth knowledge of French and international vineyards. Behind every recommendation lies a shared desire: to find the perfect wine for your meal, your season and your moment of sharing.
A new generation centred on wine
Taken over in 2023 by Hervé and Julien, two former sommeliers who are passionate about wine and renowned for their expertise in Cannes, Gencel combines the heritage of a historic wine merchant with the vision of a new generation. Before setting up here, Hervé and Julien spent several years at the helm of a renowned wine cellar in another part of the city: there, they got to know their winemakers, learnt to curate vibrant selections and to cater to every customer – from the simply curious to the discerning collector – with the same care and attention.
By choosing to make a fresh start at this 1937-founded wine house, they sought to breathe new life into it, whilst remaining true to its spirit. Their approach is modern and discerning, yet always accessible: it is based on expert advice, a selection curated bottle by bottle, and a customer experience thought through down to the smallest detail. For them, every interaction at the cellar is an opportunity to share what inspires them — the history of an estate, a winemaker’s craft, or the perfect pairing for your meal. It is this blend of expertise, curiosity and the art of hospitality that defines today’s Gencel, and which they take pleasure in bringing to life every day, whether at the counter or at the wine bar.
A wine cellar designed as a living space centred around wine
Today, Gencel boasts a collection of over 1,000 wines, champagnes and spirits, painstakingly assembled and stored in our ageing cellar, which is maintained at the ideal temperature to ensure that every bottle is served in the best possible condition. From grands crus ready to be opened to discovering hidden gems that are best left to age further, you’ll find everything you need here to create the perfect accompaniment for an everyday dinner or a truly special occasion.
Whether you’re a private customer, a restaurant, a hotel, a villa or a yacht, we cater to every setting with personalised recommendations, tailored to your tastes, the occasion and your requirements. Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll find the perfect bottle – or help you discover it.
At Gencel, we don’t just select bottles: we take the time to bring them to life. We’ve designed the space to be a vibrant hub centred around wine, where you can pop in for advice or simply to enjoy a glass with friends. Throughout the week – and especially during our Friday evening openings – the cellar transforms into a wine bar and a meeting place. We offer:
- a wine cellar where you can find just the right bottle for you;
- a wine bar where you can sample our current favourites by the glass;
- private, guided and commented tastings;
- tailor-made events, either at the cellar or in the comfort of your own home;
- services dedicated to the yachting and luxury hospitality sectors on the French Riviera.
A rigorous selection process and a personalised approach to our services
Our selection brings together leading estates, iconic houses and independent winemakers, chosen for the quality of their work and the distinct character of their wines. We love to create a dialogue between recognised names and more hidden gems – those we unearth through our meetings and tastings, and which we can’t wait for you to try. Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, Provence, Rhône Valley, Loire, Corsica, Savoie, Jura, Italy, not to mention a fine range of premium spirits: every region and every bottle is selected with the same care. Our ambition can be summed up in a few words: to offer you an elegant, consistent and accessible experience, equally suited to the novice wine lover as to the most discerning professional. And because good advice is often better than a lengthy catalogue, we’re always on hand to guide you towards the pairing or vintage that suits you best.
Who are our customers
Everyone comes to us with their own tastes and occasions: we take the time to listen to you so that, together, we can find the bottle that’s just right for you.
Enthusiasts
From novices to seasoned enthusiasts, we guide you through every choice, taking your preferences into account, to help you build a personal wine collection that reflects your personality.
Restaurateurs
Whether in gourmet bistros or Michelin-starred restaurants, we curate dynamic wine lists, designed to bring out the very best in every dish served.
Businesses
Whether it’s exclusive gift sets or corporate gifts, we’ll enhance your gestures of goodwill and events with a memorable selection.
Boaters
Concierge services, crews and owners share their recommendations with us: discreet deliveries on the French Riviera and bespoke wine cellars.
Regulars
You pop into our wine cellar after work for a quick chat, a drink and a tasting: here, we always recognise you.
Friends
Whether it’s for an after-work get-together or a spontaneous Party, get together to enjoy a selection of fine wines and some lovely platters to share.
Holidaymakers
During your stay in a villa or apartment, enjoy our bottles delivered at your convenience, whenever you fancy.
Chefs
Private chefs, tell us your menu: we’ll put together the perfect food and wine pairings and deliver them straight to your villa.
Concierge
Property management companies and villa managers, you can count on us: a discreet and responsive partner to delight your discerning clients.
Wine cellar in Cannes: Champagne, Burgundy and hidden gems from independent winemakers
We are Hervé and Julien. In 2023, we took over this Cannes wine cellar, founded in 1937, with a simple idea in mind: to turn it into a place that reflects who we are, where people come in as much to find a fine bottle as for the pleasure of chatting about wine.
Step through our door, in the heart of Le Suquet, just a stone’s throw from Forville Market: here, you’ll find two wine enthusiasts – former sommeliers – who love nothing more than sharing their passion and passing on their knowledge.
All around you, we have over 1,200 wines, champagnes and spirits. We have selected them one by one, through our meetings with winemakers and our tastings, and then brought them together in our ageing cellar, which is maintained at the ideal temperature to ensure that every bottle is served to you in the best possible condition. From leading estates and iconic houses to lesser-known winemakers: we love to bring together established names and hidden gems you won’t find anywhere else. Tell us what you’re looking for: a wine for tonight, a gift, a pairing for your meal, a vintage to lay down – and let us guide you. There are no wrong questions here, just the pleasure of finding the perfect bottle together.
For us, the wine cellar is also a living space. On certain evenings – and particularly during our Friday late-night openings – the counter transforms into a wine bar: we open our current favourites, serve by the glass, chat and let ourselves be surprised. It’s our way of helping you discover the wines we love in a different light, in a simple and friendly atmosphere. We also organise private, guided and commented tastings to explore a region, a grape variety or a vertical tasting at your own pace, with friends or fellow wine enthusiasts.
And because good wine should be able to accompany you everywhere, we don’t stop at the shop door. We deliver throughout Cannes and across the entire French Riviera: to villas in the hinterland as well as to yachts moored in the harbour. Whether you’re a resident, tourist, private chef, captain or concierge, simply tell us what you’re after, and we’ll take care of the rest: the selection, bringing the wine to the right temperature, and delivery at just the right time, with the discretion and responsiveness that this clientele demands.
Finally, we put our expertise at the service of professionals and your most special occasions. Restaurants, bistros, beaches, hotels: we help you build and develop your wine list, pair it with your cuisine and train your staff. For your events – private dinners, launches, receptions – we work with you to plan the selection, the presentation and the logistics, ensuring the wine always lives up to the occasion.
So, whether you’re a connoisseur or simply curious, do come and see us. Take the time to browse the shelves, ask us your questions and have a taste. We’ll always be delighted to welcome you and share with you what inspires us every day: a love of fine wine, well-chosen and perfectly paired.
News & events
Discover the world of Gencel through the changing seasons, the processes of discovering new things and the moments that bring the wine cellar to life every day. As well as operating as a wine cellar and wine bar, Gencel brings to life a world of wine-centred discoveries, encounters and events throughout the year in the heart of Cannes.
