The purchase of a little known Bordeaux chateau in the south of France by a Chinese company has put China ahead of both Russian and Indian buyers in chateau ownership.

The deal to buy the 60-hectare Latour-Laguens chateau for an undisclosed sum, which was signed January 24 and announced on Tuesday, marks the first ever French wine estate purchased by Chinese buyers.

It is reported that the buyer, the Longhai International Trading Company Ltd, will consider developing the chateau into an attraction that combines wine-making facilities and elements of a tourists resort including cafes, hotels and entertainment venues.