The vineyard of Haut-Bailly as we know it today began to take shape when the Goyanèche and then the Daitze family acquired and unified the best vine growing plots in the 1530s. The estate remained in the Daitze Family until 1630 when it was purchased by Firmin Le Bailly and Nicolas de Leuvarde, wealthy Parisian bankers and lovers of Graves wines.
Following substantial investments, the property continued to be passed down the Bailly family line until 1736, when Irishman Thomas Barton took the helm. His strong business network allowed him to spread word about the quality of Château Haut-Bailly at a time when French ‘claret' was beginning its rise to stardom in England and Ireland.
Throughout the 18th century powerful, well-connected and ambitious owners drove Haut-Bailly to new heights.
In 1872, Alcide Bellot des Minières acquired the estate and constructed the imposing, stone chateau building that remains to this day. Following Alcide’s death, Haut-Bailly experienced a period of instability, regularly changing hands up until 1955.
The purchase of Haut-Bailly in 1955 by Daniel Sanders, a Belgian negociant, opened up a new era.
In July 1998 Château Haut-Bailly was purchased by American Robert G. Wilmers, chairman and CEO of the M&T Bank. A lifelong lover of Bordeaux Grands Crus, Bob was behind every strategic decision, ensuring that Haut-Bailly followed a path of progression and continuity whilst remaining ever-respectful of its heritage. Following the sad passing of Bob in December 2017, his family has taken over and will continue in his footsteps.
Château Haut-Bailly is one of the most prestigious Crus Classés de Graves, situated at the gateway to the city of Bordeaux. Its 30-hectare (74-acre) vineyard lies at the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, on the left bank of the Garonne river.
The vineyard
The mosaic-like vineyard is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Certain plots lie a full 20 metres higher than others, demonstrating the topological diversity for which Haut-Bailly is famous, and which allows for consistently superb quality. The variety of soils and the balance between higher and lower plots, which put greater or lesser hydric stress upon the vines, gives Haut-Bailly a unique ability to adapt and perform in both wetter and drier vintages.
Haut-Bailly has successfully maintained 4 hectares (10 acres) of century-old vines, planted by Alcide Bellot des Minières, owner of Château Haut-Bailly at the end of the 19th century. This single plot is unusually interwoven with 6 varieties of vine: 1/12 Carmenère, 1/12 Merlot, 1/12 Cabernet Franc, 1/12 Malbec, 1/12 Petit Verdot and 7/12 Cabernet Sauvignon.
These vines are the heart of Haut-Bailly, a fundamental part of its genetic makeup. Their rarity, mystique and superb fruit are to be tasted in each bottle of Château Haut-Bailly.
Château Haut-Bailly
France
Bordeaux
2017
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc
Sandy, gravel-studded soils that sit atop a layer of sandstone. The soils are petrified with the remains of prehistoric fossil shells that descend deep into the earth, offering exceptional drainage and rare minerals.
75cl
13%
16ºC - 18ºC
