Barton & Guestier, France

With almost three centuries of experience in the wine business, the Barton & Guestier name is known to millions of consumers worldwide. The brands expertise guarantees quality of rare regularity, and reassures the consumers in an increasingly complicated market. Barton & Guestier is always attuned to the needs of consumers in different markets and therefore constantly innovates. The company not only sells wine, but also conveys a message of quality via its wines, its packaging, its distribution, as well as its communication and promotional tools.

Heritage going back to 1725
The company`s founder, Thomas Barton, left his netive Ireland and emigrated to Bordeaux when he was 30 years old. He was a true adventurer, looking to make his fortune, and founded a shipping company in 1725. The first barrels of wine were naturally exported to Ireland, which, along with Holland, was the biggest market for Bordeaux in 18th century. Very quickly, his efforts brought an unbelievable level of prosperity. He was the first shipper to have his own estates. By 1747, Thomas Barton was considered Bordeaux`s number one shipper. His loyal clients nicknamed him 'French Tom'. His family, his associates and his successors followed his example. !n 1802, his grandson, Hugh Barton, teamed up with with his friend Daniel Guestier, a French shipowner, to create Barton & Guestier. Both men`s children and grandchildren went into the business, until the mid-20th century.

Today, a dedicated team and over a hundred distributors continue to develop the Barton & Guestier brand worldwide. Barton & Guestier`s team of experts is absolutely unique in the wine business. B & G has completely transformed the prevaling retionship between shippers and winegrowers, by creating a team of experts. This team consists of enologists, vine/growers, managers of cooperative cellars, brokers and the Barton & Guestier sales and marketing department. The team`s objective is to improve the quality and style of wines to satisfy the consumers. Barton & Guestier is one of the few shippers to make its own wines. Barton & Guestier oversees the fermentation and ageing of each vat. In this way, growers are able to take advantage of Barton & Guestier`s expertise. This has a verz positive effect on quality and entails a close working relationship with vine-growers, based on mutual respect and a partnership strategy where both sides gain. Barton & Guestier is able to trace the origin of each of its wines. Barton & Guestier buys its wines soon after the harvest to select the best vats which are individually analysed and tasted. The purchasing department tastes 25000 samles a year, but only accepts 800. Barton & Guestier only deals wit the finest cellars in each area. Barton & Guestier chooses just two or three brokers from each region, who visit each supplier at least ten times a year, accopanied by Barton & Guestier`s enologists. 'The strong relationship with our partners greatly helps us to create a range of wines, that appeals to the international palate, yet still offers the 'cachet' of French wines', according to Laurent Prada, winemaker.

Being involved from start to finish, from the vine-growing to the bottling, allows Barton & Guestier to adapt its winemaking and buing strategies, vintage after vintage. Chateau Magnol is not only a vineyard, whose wine is served worldwide in the finest restaurants, but also the company`s headquarters, a guesthouse and a wine school! The magnificent 18th century Chateau embodies the conviviality of Barton & Guestier`s wines. This guesthouse offers exceptional comfort and many leisure activities, such as billiards and darts in the Thomas Barton Club or petanque and basketball in the garden. An entirely dedicated team makes sure that everyone`s stay is enjoyable, especially Chef Frederic Prouvoyeur who prepares fine French and international dishes for the Chateau`s guests.