Robert Wilmers takes over close-by Château Le Pape

The vineyard plantings of Châtau Le Pape are covered 80 percent with Merlot and 20 percent with Cabernet Sauvignon. Roughly 6,500 vines are grown per hectar and their grapes are the basis for production of about 33,000 bottles.

Veronique Sanders, director of Haut-Bailly, will have two very imporant tasks now. After all, she will have to take care of this recently purchased estate as well. The technical director of Haut-Bailly, Gabriel Vialar, who was previously employeed with Mouton Rothschild and Smith Haut Lafite, will also have a lot of responsibility at  Château Le Pape.

"We are currently working on an investment plan that will hopefully turn Château Le Pape into the best of Appellations“, explains Robert Wilmers. Interestingly enough,  Château Haut-Bailly has the right -as nearest neighbor- to use the grape must of Château Le Pape for its own wines. "We are certainly not planning to use the grapes from Château Le Pape for ou wines from Château Haut-Bailly“, says Veronique Sanders. „We do not want to mess with the aura and identity of Château Le Pape.“ (red.yoopress)