The high-profile Swiss banker was said to have a golden touch in the heyday of his career. Now, he's acquired the Bec d'Or vineyard on Lake Geneva.

Leaving Pictet in 2021 may have been a low point in Boris Collardi's (pictured below) career. But it freed up the banker from French-speaking Switzerland, remembered in Zurich as the former head of the long-established Julius Baer, for various new pursuits.

Much Like Burgundy

His latest venture is a vineyard on Lake Geneva with the resonant name Bec d'Or, meaning golden beak. As he explained to the «Financial Times» (behind paywall), he grows varietals familiar to Burgundy wines. «The climate and elevations are remarkably similar,» Collardi says.

Collardi 500

(Image: PD)

Whether he'll find much time to participate in upcoming pressings personally is questionable. As a minority shareholder and member of the Board of Directors, he plays a very active role at the Zurich-based EFG International, where he is expected to open doors, particularly in Asia.

Football and Fast Cars

He has additional investments in the luxury The Longevity Suite clinic and Italian car builder Ares Design. Collardi is a sponsor of the football club US Lecce, which has been playing in Italy's Serie A since last year.