Grey Goose has formally opened its redesigned distillery complex in Cognac, France — a €120 million capital project that represents the most significant infrastructure investment in premium vodka production this decade.
The Details
The new facility, built on the footprint of the original Gilles Martin distillery that has produced Grey Goose since 1997, integrates a 4.2-megawatt solar array capable of powering 60% of annual distillation energy requirements. The remaining 40% is sourced from certified renewable electricity under a long-term contract with EDF. The facility has eliminated direct natural gas usage entirely — a first for a large-scale vodka distillery.
The production line includes a closed-loop water recycling system that reduces fresh water consumption by 73% compared to the previous facility. Waste heat from distillation is now captured and used to heat water for cleaning and malting processes. Distillery waste grain — approximately 4,200 tonnes per year — is contracted to local farmers as livestock feed, completing a closed agricultural loop.
"We built this distillery to be operational for at least fifty years," said Stéphanie Couture, Grey Goose's Managing Director. "Every decision was made with the long view — for the quality of the liquid, for the environment, and for the community in Cognac that has been our home for nearly thirty years."
The facility retains the single-step distillation process that Grey Goose has always used — single-origin Picardy wheat, distilled once in column stills, with spring water from the Gensac-la-Pallue aquifer. The production process itself has not changed. Only the energy and waste systems have been redesigned.
Industry Context
Sustainability credentials have become a significant factor in premium spirits purchasing decisions, particularly among consumers under 40. A 2025 YouGov survey across seven markets found that 64% of premium vodka buyers said environmental responsibility "influenced" their brand choice, with 31% describing it as "a major factor." Grey Goose's parent company Bacardi has committed to carbon neutrality across its entire portfolio by 2030.
What's Next
Grey Goose has confirmed plans to open the facility for consumer tours from summer 2026 — a significant change for a brand that has historically kept its production facilities private. A new visitor centre, designed by Bordeaux-based architecture firm Brochet Lajus Pueyo, will open alongside the tours. The facility will also host an annual distilling symposium open to craft producers, beginning in September 2026.
