Benoît Favier brings a unique perspective to the helm of EuroCave Group, drawing from a distinguished career that spans pharmaceuticals at Sanofi Aventis, luxury goods at Louis Vuitton, and premium kitchen appliances at La Cornue. Since taking the reins as CEO in 2021, he has guided the company that created the wine cabinet category through a period of strategic transformation, balancing respect for French heritage with the demands of a rapidly evolving market. His leadership philosophy, shaped by diverse industries, emphasises the power of listening and the importance of creating space for talent to flourish.
Under Favier’s stewardship, EuroCave has remained steadfast in its commitment to French manufacturing excellence, maintaining its “Origine France Garantie” certification and EPV label despite global cost pressures. The company’s approach reflects a broader strategy of specialisation over generalisation, positioning itself as the definitive authority in wine preservation rather than competing as another appliance manufacturer. In this exclusive interview with The Executive Magazine, Favier shares insights into his strategic vision for the wine storage industry, the challenges of preserving traditional craftsmanship in a digital age, and his plans to cement EuroCave’s position as the global leader in luxury wine storage solutions.
Your career path has taken you from financial control at Sanofi Aventis to luxury goods at Louis Vuitton, and now to wine preservation. How have these diverse experiences shaped your approach to leadership?
“Working in large, structured organizations surrounded by exceptional talent allowed me to observe and adopt best-in-class leadership practices. At Sanofi, I learned the power of rigorous financial analysis and structured reporting, an essential foundation for understanding how complex businesses operate. At Louis Vuitton, despite its size, the approach was more agile, with a focus on speed over bureaucracy. There’s value in both models—success lies in finding the right balance. One thing is certain: no one succeeds alone. Strong leadership comes from being well-supported and, most importantly, from creating space for talent to express itself. When people thrive, so does the company.”
As CEO of EuroCave, a company that created the wine cabinet category, how do you balance honoring this heritage while driving innovation in today’s competitive market?
“We don’t have the engineering power of big industrial groups, so we must be smart and creative. What makes us different is that we are true specialists in wine preservation and service, while most of our competitors are generalists making ovens or fridges. That focus makes us unique. We bring innovation only when it clearly improves customer experience and always with respect for our heritage. We’re not here to follow trends. We want to stay true to what wine lovers expect from us, and the Harmonie collection shows this well. It’s more than a wine cabinet—it’s a design piece made for the home. It keeps all the technical excellence of EuroCave, but adds emotion, elegance, and a new way to enjoy wine as part of everyday life.”
What significant changes have you implemented since becoming CEO in 2021, and what measurable impacts have these had on the company’s performance?
“One of the first things we did was simplify our product offering. Historically, EuroCave had a very wide and highly modular range, which made it difficult for customers to navigate. It was strong from a technical point of view, but not always easy to understand. We streamlined the offer to make it clearer and more accessible. On top of that, we introduced a multi-brand strategy. Each brand (EuroCave, Transtherm, and our new brand Goguette) now has a clear identity and targets a specific customer group. Goguette, for example, speaks to a new generation of wine lovers who enjoy wine in a more casual, spontaneous, and social way. These changes have helped us strengthen our product portfolio, improve customer clarity, and support the growth of our brand visibility and sales.”
You previously led La Cornue to nearly double its revenue and significantly increase profit margins. What key business strategies from that success are you applying in your current role?
“What worked at La Cornue won’t necessarily apply elsewhere. There’s no universal playbook. Every company has its own context, challenges, and culture. That said, some principles stay relevant. What I took with me is the importance of listening, really listening, to the market. You are not your customer. You must take the time to understand their needs, instead of assuming that you already do. I also learned not to jump to conclusions too fast, as market reactions often take longer than expected. And not every initiative will be a win, but that’s part of the process. What matters is staying curious, staying patient.”
How is EuroCave navigating the current economic climate, particularly regarding supply chains and manufacturing costs while maintaining your “Origine France Garantie” certification?
“Manufacturing in France is a daily challenge. In an environment where many of our competitors have chosen to manufacture in Asia for cost reasons, we’ve made a clear decision to stay true to our roots. We continue to produce our wine cabinets 100% in France, a choice that reflects our commitment to French craftsmanship and quality. We also hold the EPV label (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant), which recognizes excellence in French manufacturing. By working closely with local suppliers, we maintain agility and ensure the highest quality, despite higher costs and supply chain challenges, because it reflects our commitment to quality and craftsmanship.”
The wine industry is evolving rapidly with changing consumer preferences and climate concerns. How is your team adapting its product development to address these shifts?
“We are addressing these challenges in two ways: through our products and the services that we offer.
“EuroCave has always adapted to diverse climates, as we’ve been selling wine cabinets across the globe for years. This has given us the experience of handling today’s climate-related challenges. Our cabinets are designed to work in various environmental conditions, ensuring optimal wine storage, which is crucial for collectors. In this context, we’re making our solutions even more reliable, especially with the growing demand for organic and natural wines, which require optimal preservation due to their fragility. Looking ahead, our next generation of wine cabinets, launching in 2026, will take this further and willl focus on energy efficiency, eco-responsibility, and customization, while maintaining perfect storage conditions. We’re also responding to changing consumer habits with designs like the Harmonie collection, created for those who want to enjoy wine at home, not just for long-term aging. On the service side, our EuroCave Connect app enhances the user experience by enabling remote monitoring and control of wine cellars, adding convenience and peace of mind (adjusting temperature, lighting, or receiving alerts). Finally, we’re strengthening our network of local distributors to meet the growing demand for personalized, proximity-based support.”
How does the opportunity to mix business development with promoting iconic French products factor into your global expansion strategy?
“Wine is part of France’s cultural identity—and that’s a major advantage. With every EuroCave cabinet, we’re not just selling a product; we’re sharing the French art of living. That’s powerful. It turns a wine cabinet into a statement of taste, culture, and refinement. People aren’t just buying function; they’re buying a piece of France.”
What technological advancements is EuroCave pursuing that might reshape how collectors and professionals preserve their wine investments?
“We invented the wine cabinet in 1976, and some of our earliest models are still in use. That kind of longevity is rare and provides real reassurance for collectors. Our mission remains the same: to protect the bottle and the craftsmanship behind it. As climate change bring new challenges, we continue to offer reliable, durable solutions to safeguard each bottle, respecting the craftsmanship of winemakers and the passion of collectors.
“We also understand the growing need for real-time monitoring. Today, collectors and investors want to track their wine’s condition. Our smart wine cabinets, with the EuroCave Connect app, allow users to control their cellar remotely, offering the reassurance and information they need (available with the Harmonie collection and the next generation of wine cabinets).”
Having worked across pharmaceuticals, luxury fashion, and now wine preservation equipment, what universal leadership principles have you found most valuable regardless of industry?
“First, listening is key, whether it’s to my team or our customers, understanding their needs and feedback is crucial. Second, continuous learning and flexibility are essential for navigating challenges and seizing new opportunities. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for success. Lastly, it is important to stay attuned to changing market trends, especially the evolving expectations of younger generations whose behaviors may differ from those of previous ones.”
Looking ahead five years, what vision do you have for EuroCave’s position in both the wine ecosystem and the broader luxury home appliance market?
“Looking ahead five years, my vision for EuroCave is to become the global leader in high-end wine storage. We aim to offer more than just wine cabinets, but to create complete wine experiences, positioning EuroCave as a reference in prestige home equipment. We also want to be a company where employees are engaged and proud to contribute, and where our supply chain partners value their collaboration with us.
“True leadership means fostering an environment where talent can grow and drive the company’s success.”