The French wine company Castel has taken a 50% stake in Chateau Beychevelle, Chateau Beaumont and the wine merchants Barriere Freres. Previous owners Grands Millésimes de France (GMF), and insurance company Ethias, have sold their 63% stake. The Japanese drinks company Suntory - a Beychevelle shareholder for 20 years - has increased its stake from 37% to 50%. The terms of the deal see GMF/Ethias sell 50% to Castel, and 13% to Suntory, giving the new partners an equal share. Suntory continues to separately own Chateau Lagrange, also in Saint Julien.