Château Haut-Bailly

Vineyard cultivation at this site is documented from 1461, with the modern vineyard taking shape from 1530. The estate takes its name from the Le Bailly family, who acquired the property in 1630. Alcide Bellot des Minières transformed Haut-Bailly in 1872 into one of Bordeaux's most celebrated estates, with its wines rivaling the First Growths through the late 1800s and into the 1920s. A period of decline in the mid-20th century was reversed by Daniel Sanders, who purchased the estate in 1955 and began its restoration. The Sanders family continued building momentum through Jean and then Véronique Sanders, who has managed the property since 1998. That same year, American banker Robert G. Wilmers acquired Haut-Bailly and invested significantly in the estate until his death in 2017.

• Vineyard cultivation documented from 1461; modern vineyard established 1530
• Named after the Le Bailly family following their 1630 acquisition
• Alcide Bellot des Minières elevated the estate to First Growth rival status from 1872
• Sanders family ownership (1955-1998) restored the estate to prominence after mid-century decline
• One of the first Bordeaux estates to label wines with specific vintage dates, dating to the late 1600s

Haut-Bailly sits in the Léognan commune, south of Bordeaux on the left bank of the Garonne River, at 48 meters above sea level, the highest elevation in Pessac. The estate covers 30 hectares in total, with 28 hectares planted to vine. Graves soils of sand and gravel dominate the surface, delivering excellent natural drainage, while the subsoil contains clay, limestone, petrified fossils known as falun, and marine sediments. This combination of well-drained topsoils over complex subsoils, combined with the site's slope exposure and temperate maritime climate, defines the estate's consistent quality.

• Located in Léognan commune, left bank of the Garonne River
• Graves soils: sand and gravel surface over clay, limestone, and marine sediment subsoil
• Petrified fossils (falun) present in subsoil
• Temperate maritime climate with excellent drainage from topography and slope

The estate maintains an exceptional collection of old vines, with 25% exceeding 100 years of age and a 4-hectare block containing all six major Bordeaux varieties, some planted over 120 years ago. Haut-Bailly is notable for producing only red wine, a distinction that sets it apart from most Graves estates. Grapes are hand-harvested and vinified using a parcel-based approach across approximately 30 concrete vats, alongside stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 15 to 18 months in French oak, with 50 to 65% new barrels used each vintage. This meticulous approach underpins the estate's reputation for finesse and consistency.

• Hand-harvested; parcel-based vinification in approximately 30 concrete vats and stainless steel
• 25% of vines over 100 years old, including a 4-hectare block with all six Bordeaux varieties
• Aged 15-18 months in French oak, 50-65% new
• No white wine produced, only red Bordeaux blend

Château Haut-Bailly produces three wines under the estate. The grand vin is built around Cabernet Sauvignon at 60 to 65%, supported by Merlot at 25 to 34%, Cabernet Franc at 3 to 10%, and trace amounts of Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carmenère. The second wine, Haut-Bailly II (formerly known as La Parde de Haut-Bailly), offers earlier accessibility while sharing the estate's DNA. The third wine, HB Pessac-Léognan, rounds out the range. Annual production reaches approximately 150,000 bottles across all three labels.

• Grand vin: Cabernet Sauvignon dominant (60-65%) with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and trace varieties
• Second wine: Haut-Bailly II (formerly La Parde de Haut-Bailly)
• Third wine: HB Pessac-Léognan
• Approximately 150,000 bottles produced annually across all labels