Our history | Cave Gencel in Cannes since 1937

A family business since 1937

It all began in 1937. In the heart of Cannes, the Gencel wine cellar is one of the city’s historic wine merchants. For three generations, the Gencel family has shaped the business in step with the major developments in the wine trade. In its early days, the business still bottled and sold wine in bulk, as was the tradition. Over the decades, this iconic establishment has become a local institution, renowned for its expertise, its warm welcome and its passion for wine.

Gencel: a historic wine house in Cannes

Founded in 1937, Gencel is one of Cannes’ historic wine merchants.

Developed over three generations by the Gencel family, the wine merchant has witnessed the major changes in the wine trade over the decades. In its early days, the business mainly bottled and sold wine in bulk, as was traditionally the case at the time.

Over the years, this iconic establishment has become a local institution, renowned for its expertise, warm welcome and passion for wine.

A modernised wine cellar and a new lease of life.

In 2023, Hervé and Julien took over the wine cellar with the aim of preserving its historic identity whilst bringing a more contemporary vision to it.

Since the takeover, the wine cellar has undergone a genuine transformation: expanding the selection, creating a wine bar, modernising the customer experience and developing premium services for villas, yachts and high-end establishments on the French Riviera.

This new dynamic now enables Gencel to build its reputation far beyond Cannes amongst a local, international and professional clientele seeking a more modern, elegant and vibrant approach to wine.

Over 1,200 wines and spirits

Today, Gencel Wine Cellars offers over 1,000 wine references, as well as a wide selection of champagnes and premium spirits, bringing the total collection to nearly 1,200 references.

Leading French estates, exclusive cuvées, iconic houses, independent winemakers and exceptional spirits make up a selection designed for both passionate wine lovers and the finest restaurants on the Riviera.

This wealth of choice is no accident: every bottle finds its way onto our shelves only after being tasted and carefully selected. We continually refine our selection based on the people we meet, our personal favourites, and the allocations we patiently secure from the estates we hold dear. Burgundy and Champagne from independent winegrowers take pride of place, alongside more obscure gems that we love to introduce to our customers.

All our wine-growing regions are represented here: from the Rhône Valley to Provence, from Alsace to the Loire, so that everyone – from the curious amateur to the discerning connoisseur – can leave with just the right bottle. For behind this thousand-strong range, there is always the same intention: not a static collection, but a living cellar, which is constantly renewed as we discover new things and as your preferences change.